Reach for the Galaxy

[NecroKnight]

"Jeena. Stop hugging that thing, and help with the Corona Drive, that you broke due to your idiocy of flying through a neutron-star," said Hana - as the rest of their crew, soon enough disappeared inside the ship to fix their problem.


(Having some difficulty understanding the distance between my ship and outpost. Plus on what the Barast' are doing in general)

 

[AlphaDraco]

Khalast: Rendezvous Point

​

The tall grass ruffled and parted as the alien stepped forward. To Sytin, the creature reminded him of a deep sea species from his home world, albeit a lot larger. To Warmth, the creatures striped fur arms and jointed legs, along with the carapace and multiple eyes showed a fascinating design that was somewhat dull, yet admirable and enjoyable in its utilitarianistic design. It made guttural clicking and whistling sounds, with several barks and growls as it spread out its arms. It was most likely a greeting.


Sytin stepped forward and stood to his full height, standing on his front-foot instead of his flat-foot. He was ramrod straight, an arm behind his back as his other arm made a curving motion in front of his body, his hand splayed wide. He spoke, his voice deep and precise, each syllable and sound crafted to convey the maximum information in the shortest amount of time. "I represent the Palorikan people and the Writ of the Holy Alliance."


Warmth-of-Color floated upward, his appendages spreading outward from the center of his body, the microscopic cilia manipulators on the ends stretching out as well. His smooth neck and head faced upwards towards the sky, beams of brilliant colors and lights swirling and dashing across the ground. His speach was comprised of beautiful chants and echoes, whistles and swirling hues accenting the melodious sound. "I am the one who will behold our first meeting in the name of the Lorenganel and the Writ of the Holy Alliance."


With that, Warmth-of-Color took out a disk, no larger than a penny, and sent it floating towards the ground. With brilliant blue lights the disk was constructed into a large projector table. With a touch to a pad, holograms leaped up. The first thing to be seen was a rust-red planet without a background. The hologram zoomed in, showing savannahs and forest of the Palorikan home world. It came to rest on a moderately sized village. The hologram came to to rest on a male Palorikan, his fur a light green and his mane a deep red, standing beside him was a female of his species, her fur a more oranges tint, her quills a deep black. In her arms was a baby, its fur still fluffy and white. The hologram then went to focus on a few visual aspects of the Palorikan's culture. It showed a large feast for dinner within a familial clan, a martial arts viewing with two hung-pole users, as well as the utilitarian, yet artistic designs of monuments they had constructed to great leaders and victories over horrible tragedies.


The hologram then shifted its focus over to the Lorenganel. Instead of showing a planet, it went right to the male and female comparison. The only difference being that the female had a different tail shape and one less pair of manipulators. The baby was small and floated haphazardly next to the mother, its colors bright yet unstable, constant glowing in a bioluminescence. It went on a similar pattern as the first, showing great works of sort by the Lorenganel, showing a feast that would seem more in place at a museum than a dinner table, as well as a temple where they worshiped their God, its structure seeming to defy belief.


Finally, the hologram showed the two species working side by side. Engineers designing a building, farmers working together, scouters observing a planet. It finally ended with a group of the two species standing on the bow of a space station with the flag displayed behind them. The table then deconstructed before it flew back to the waiting Lorenganel. Hopefully it had gotten across a general message of who they were.





@Darkeva

 

[Darkeva]

Khalast - Meeting Point

​

'... definitely not a pet then.' Gentith thought to herself.


"Analysis of holographic image topography indicates an estimated vision spectrum range of 4 to 7 hundred nm. Tech team is recompiling contact package for the narrow band." Jantis muttered in her ear. "30 seconds to transfer."


"Standing holographic projection, in miniature. Fancy." the Captain whispered reaching into her pack.


"Oh yes. I've already requested the tech guys be pulled from my feed. I'm pretty sure one of them had an accident in their conference room."


Gantith slid the slim sheet of clear crystalline computer pad out of her pack and taped the screen bringing it to life. "-heh- Ready for transfer."


"Aaaaand, transfer complete. All yours Captain."


Gantith stepped forward to present the taller one the pad unsure how well the flying one could handle it. Waiting until he took it she tapped the controller on her arm to play the video. Ultimately it appeared there were really only so many ways to establish a species visually. Shots of picturesque landscapes. Side by side shots of males and females. Life cycle shots from egg, through multiple sheddings into adulthood. Shots of daily life. Shots of the capital complete with the 3 kilometer high arcologies and majestic floating 400m long platforms moving constantly around the cityscape.


"Command has a pictorial message ready for them Captain. Are they finished watching?"


"Well, the video finished. What the hell, let them have it."


The screen cleared to show an orbital shot of Khalast. Three new ships entered orbit, two combat class escorts and a march larger transport ship. The screen showed the transport break away to descend to the surface, quickly arriving next to the current position. Its forward hull opened to allow a dozen more Janda to disembark moving to plant a red and black flag next to a low table and chair. On the opposite side materialized a copy of the Holy Alliance flag with an equal number of the two species matching the Janda contingent.


The screen split in two now showing a closer shot of the near by tall tree. Time seemed to speed up for the tree showing the shadows quickly moving from their current position to one much later in the day, pausing then repeating the shot.


@AlphaDraco

 

[DerUbermensch]

Just as the Barasts returned to the outposts, they got news of the current progress. "A spaceship for one and a drone for the latter. We know for sure who has the better first impression." First impressions are the last impressions to the Barasts in particular.


Certainly for the Icarusians, it would not be as favorable as the people behind the probe. A rude interruption is not the way to do a first contact. The probe on the other hand was a more proper way in the Barast mentality. Both discovered the Barasts by accident, yet the latter had more chances of diplomacy.


It was certain the this may provide new opportunities to find new planets. All in order to test the Barastian people. Ulanka was colonized for that same reason. The new question was about the intentions of the peoples behind the first contact.

 

[NecroKnight]

The Icarusians, continued on with their ship' repairs - wanting to fix it, as soon as possible. They were known to be extremely friendly, but even there was even a limit to their tolerance - namely being one idiot pilot of theirs.


As such, it soon became apparent, that they needed some extra parts for their ship - one' needed to be manufactured by a machine. As such, the guards near the outpost, would soon find an Icarusian' approaching their place - with a white flag, or rather white sheet attached to a stick, being held up by her.

 

[DerUbermensch]

"What now?" The Barasts were getting annoyed. A robot was sent in their place. "Having trouble?" The robot was remote controlled and acted as the proxy. If the Icarusian got too close, they would warn with:"Keep your distance please. We don't take kindly to uninvited guests too."


Barasts like their privacy and alone time. This was no different. First impressions were indeed last ones. Meanwhile in space, the Barasts awaited a response from the drone. There was no intention of starting wars so early on.


The spartan Barastian confederacy is starting to have more of a favor with the people in space. Perhaps it would be more...fruitful than an alliance with the Icarusians. Barasts were isolationists, but they were also pragmatists. Another possibility is more death worlds for the Barasts to colonize.

 

[NecroKnight]

"Uhm, could you trade us some mechanical parts?" asked the alien. "Our ship is broken, and we need them to fly away - we would trade you some of our tech in exchange! We only need materials!"

 

[The Creator Prime]

Machines of the Prophet - Introduction

​

The galaxy has once more begun to turn. On the axis of fallen empires there now blossom newfound nations and desire for the galaxy has once more taken root. Some appear exempt from this greed, however, with the Barast seemingly leading their charge in their isolationistic nature. Even so, the irony has deemed it that they be the one to experience the first trans-stellar nation beyond their own. Their first contact proved to be very confusing and conflicting, but with enough conviction and stubbornness the Barast vanguard did not assume direct hostility and instead allowed the crashed Icarusian vessel safe passage, for now.


But in the middle of the two species' engagement came a much curious signal, that of yet another vessel, a probe. With the barast leading the brunt of the inter-species interaction for now, on the other side of the galaxy there is a much tenser engagement occuring, that of two battle-capable fleets. The ventrus had intruded on the territory of the Holy Alliance, and the situation had seemed incredibly tense from the command stations of both leading vessels.


With key personnel volunteering from both sides, they set foot on the local planet of Khalast, a prospect world of the alliance. Gantith had landed on the surface through the help of an escape pod, but also her most useful officer, Jantis. The same was the case for the Alliance, Warmth-of-Color, an entity with much history in the matter of inter-species meetings, had been assigned with the mission of performing peaceful first contact.


All the whilst this occured, the Imperium was deep in conflict with itself. The civil unrest which had occured on Tiala had turned sour, and now a full scale revolution was at hand. It was time for the Emperor to show the might of his war machine, and Operation Emperor's Hammer had commenced in reaction to this very demand. With the artillery raining down on the rebellion, and the trained swiftness of the Imperial army, it would seem like the imperium had found itself a solid first engagement against the rebellion of Tiala. Now it was only time to end it, through diplomacy or war. The 132nd Armored Guard would see itself the spearhead of a coming conflict that would echo in the history of the Empire.


But still greater giants are being awoken, the merchentile titan of the Gozai United had burst to life, it's monetary prowess and wicked knowledge cementing the nation into place around it's borders, but still within reach far beyond them. They've made sure that the galaxy remembers their power, and few would be daring or stupid enough to try and cheat them.


The phoenix that was the galaxy had finally awoken, but derelicts of the past are still screaming back to ages long since past, and ancient civilizations still navigate the cosmos, all that was left to be seen is who comes across them first. The machines of the prophets are bursting back to life, their souls roaming the galaxy.

​

​

TAG BOX

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@Lazarus @Halofreak117 @DerUbermensch @AlphaDraco @NecroKnight @Darkeva @Yonsisac @Freddybeard @Lmpwrkr @general ostruppen @Grin

 

[DerUbermensch]

"We'll help out. But get too close and we'll resort to drastic measures. We don't like bothering with such trifles. Have some of our surplus. Now we hope you don't bother us again in the future." The parts would be traded in remotely. Barasts were shut in the towers, refusing to come out.


Something was not right: A bad thought in the Barast psyche was brewing. The Barasts could sense it. Though it was their nature to assume the worst, the Barast people found it high time to trust their instincts. Only one sentence can sum it up: Prepare for war.


The Barasts may need to get allies and bend the rules. This may be a threat that nobody in the galaxy could comprehend. Let alone combat! This problem has a chance of being completely out of context.

 

[Darkeva]

TECH BRIEFING: THE ARCOLOGY

​

A union of Architecture and Ecology these massive constructs serve as the self contained, self supporting home for millions.


Each city tower contains enough power generation, water recycling, farming and manufacturing capability to sustain itself independently for decades if needed. In addition smaller sub towers may augment the resources of a given tower, each focusing on a different area of the economy from manufacturing and farming, though commerce, education and the arts. Combined with a massive subterranean support and transportation network the archology offers the highest density, lowest impact trade off of any terrestrial construction thus devised.


Construction has come far since the first experimental attempts. No longer is it the civilization combining effort it once was. Extensive automation coupled with the incredible versatility of nano-forging has reduced these marvels of technology to the work of a few hundred and some specialized equipment.


A 'seed pod', itself nearly a kilometer in height, is lowered from its orbital constructor to its final resting site where the true work begins. Massive nano-forges spring to life eating the pod deep into the bedrock feeding the construction process. Once fully submerged the construction can begin.


The superstructure is forged of iron, aluminum, titanium and carbon in complex chemical arrangements and architectural engineering wonderment to allow it to remain strong even at the dizzying heights of three kilometers or more. The vast majority of the construct is silica based owing to its general abundance in the crust and versatility as a construction material.


Construction continues underground. A network of supports and ties radiate out from the central tower ensuring a spread load across the bedrock and an unbreakable bond between building and planet. It is here that the majority of the essential services are located. Geothermal power generators see to the cities base demands wile solar energy banks top off peak demands. Water is recycled to reduce the need of fresh water from the planet.


Communication and transportation tunnels worm out to link with other towers in a vast planet spanning network.


While these towers may share the same core design, every effort to personalize them is made by the inhabitants. Colors, shapes, patterns of all types are routinely utilized. Many plants are adapted to grow over portions of the towers, insuring that each worlds design is differentiated by the distinctive flora.


Once started the tower will generally finish primary construction within four months, allowing the new citizens to begin habitation and customization. An average arcology will comfortably house a million people, though could be grown to house many more by expanding the sub towers into full city towers, or even merging the towers in to a massive ziggurat.


This construction method serves as the primary colonization system, leaving vast tracts of virgin wilderness for the colonists to utilize while still giving secure living space.

 

[NecroKnight]

The Icarusians take what they need, leaving behind their own offer of trade. Namely five medium-sized plants - that look like rolled-up leaves that form into a sphere.


In general, five green spheres for a few mechanical parts.

 

[AlphaDraco]

Khalast: Rendezvous Point

​

Sytin handed the small pad back to the large bug-like alien when the message was finished, it seemingly conveying that more of its kind would be showing up within approximately five to six hours. In the mean time, they were stuck down here with very little in the ways of interspecies communication, besides that between the Lorenganel and the Palorikan of course. So they waited.


As it would be, waiting for several hours was going to be boring for the two, despite the chitinous monster standing across from them, so they discussed what they had seen on the pad.


"I cannot believe that a species could live in such tall and narrow building," Sytin said, the tall metal skyscrapers still fresh in his mind. "How could any thinking creature want to be in such confined places. I doubt there is any room to leap. Unek1, they probably don't even have tail room up in those things. And what if they are attacked? A single attack to the base of that building would send it crashing down, its just not practical."


Warmth-of-Color was still looking at the beastly alien, observing its every detail ad how it was reacting. "You know," he said. "They are most likely ancestral borrowers, preferring such confined areas than that of the open sky. To them, your large, low-lying, and wide-open villages may just be as strange to them. They might think you crazy for living under the open sky, where you have to take up more land."


"Hey, we are savannah dwellers. We need the open space. Besides, if they think us crazy for our structural designs, then they must believe your species to be insane."


Warmth made a series of low and high pitched sounds vaguely familiar of that of a harmonica, also known as laughing. "You are right my friend. Our guest here must think my species mentally skewed when they saw our architecture. The twisting spires crafted in the shape of tree, the spindled cylinder, yes, they probably think us quite odd. Either that or we showed them art." Warmth let out another of his species harmonic chuckles.


And so it went as the time passed, two friends who could not be more dissimilar chatting and discussing their theories and questions on the newly discovered species. The shadows continued their slow journey until they were nearly at the described positions. Soon more would make their way here.





@Darkeva

 

[Darkeva]

Khalast - Meeting Point

​

Gantith scratched the back of her head.


"So, now we wait?"


"...I suppose so Captain?- Wait one." Jantis paused distracted. "Ah, command would like to see if you could start a dialogue with them. The translators need more input."


"...OK?" Gantith said watching the two aliens talking amicably between themselves. "Any ideas how this is going to work?"


"Well, it's at least a spoken language Captain. Imagine trying to communicate with smells. Try getting them to name things, any thing really."


"Hmm, ok. Try to feed images to the screen as I need them Jantis. I'll try to get things moving."


Gantith picked her way over waiting a moment for the aliens to turn to her. She held the screen up.


"I-" Image of Gantith "-want to talk-" concentric circles from her moving jaw "-to you." Image of the two. "We-" Image of all three standing around "-should try to learn some words-" image of her pointing to a red box, concentric circles from her moving jaw, them pointing at the same box with different colored concentric circles "-so we can." Image of all three standing around, concentric circles trading back and forth.


The aliens caught on quickly as they began to trade back and forth. It quickly became apparent that the lack of a tongue in the Janda meant that many words simply couldn't be voiced. A workaround was quickly devised involving computer assisted translation. Finally the three just let their computers talk to each other in an ever faster barrage of light and sound.


By the time the Hegemony's transport hit the atmosphere each race possessed a working translation of the others language.


The ship slid silently to a stop hovering over the lake. 150m tall, 200m wide and over a kilometer long the bulbous transport split its bow open to reveal an honor guard of mech suited warriors moving out to secure the landing ramp.


Finally came a gaggle of diplomats trailing the imposing figure of a snow white Councilor.


"Gentlemen, Captain. It is an honor to meet you." She said rearing back slightly. "I hope this is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between our peoples."


@AlphaDraco

 

[AlphaDraco]

Khalast: Rendezvous Point

​

The translation of the alien race's language preceded quickly as the shuttle's computer interacted with the pad. Any fears that the computer systems would not be compatible were put to rest as the Lorenganel derived system created an abstract nexus that would allow it to understand the other device and vice-versa. The exchange continued on until a workable translation was derived, though it was by no means complete. On both sides their were words that did not have equivalent meanings and emotions that could not be expressed. Translating such things would be like describing yellow to a blind man, it simply would not work.


The shadows were at their appropriate positions when the crafts of the newfound species arrived in system and made their way to orbit. Finally, a small ship was sent down to Khalast surface, hovering over the lake, the doors opening up to reveal alien bugs clad in metal, as well as the more normal forms the observers had come to know from the sight of their first contact. Lastly, a lone white figure emerged from the ship, obviously the leader of this group of diplomats.


She spoke, the computer translating for the Lorenganel and Palorikan both on the colony and in orbit to hear.


"Greetings Brilliant-White Delegate," Warmth-of-Color said, dipping his flight in a show of respect. "It is pleasing to be in the presence of a species that does wish for cooperation with us. I hope all will proceed in a wonderful and timely manner."


Sytin walked up next to his floating comrade, standing on his front-foots while keeping his posture rigid.


"I too hope for an alliance between our nations. It will strengthen our people and security in this vast galaxy." Sytin flicked his ears forward and back in a sign of truthfulness. "I hope you do not mind, but we are not the delegates who will discuss the future relationship between our people. The ship carrying them wild be arriving soon."


It wasn't less than ten minutes more when the ship arrived.


A large patch of space seemed to slide apart, showing a deep, purple rift that seemed to swirl and flow. From within its depths came a large ship, behemoth by many standards. It pure white, curved surface gleamed in the vacuum of space as it exited the abstract realm of warp-space. Once through, the hole in reality repaired itself with a bright purple flash. It was the Primordial, the most advanced piece of tech known to the Writ of the Holy Alliance, and it was here for negotiations.


Several shuttles flew from the behemoth down to the surface of Khalast. The landing gear extended as the ramps lowered, revealing the many a Palorikan and Lorenganel. Making up the back came a Palorikan, his mane purple with age, as well as a Lorenganel, whose species already fragile, yet beautiful appearance seemed to be doubly so for him. They were to be the delegates for this oh-so important occasion.


It was time for the negotiations to begin.





@Darkeva

 

[Darkeva]

Khalast - Meeting Point

​

It would be the work of decades to truly build an unshakable trust between these new met peoples. Cultural and biological differences would lead to tensions as is want to happen. Individuals would break laws and anger others with inevitable regularity. Despite these differences these first few hours showed great promise.


Negotiations flowed with relative ease, each side striving to forge friendly relations.


While details would be months in the making, back and forth between the respective leaderships, the initial talks establish several main points of consideration.


1. The establishment of consulates


2. The establishment of trade rules


3. The establishment of law and order jurisdiction


3a. Defining the grounds for and execution of extradition


4. The consideration of defensive pacts


5. The consideration of tech exchanges


6. The establishment of research agreements


7. Establishment of intelligence exchanges


7. Consideration of a full Alliance pact


Of particular importance to the Janda is the construction of their gate network. While as an FTL method it is very efficient and quick it is completely tied to the gates and the associated gravity wells. Construction down the galactic arm toward the Holy Alliance has been suspended pending the results of these talks. A request to continue construction has been tabled.

 

[DerUbermensch]

In an unceremonious manner, the Barasts accepted their trade. Crude, but they'd find a way how the small green plant balls would work. If it was a food source, it would have been very insulting as Barasts didn't eat plant material as per their restrictions. Not that they cared for the Icarusians anyway.


The outpost shown that they were not interested at all in interactions. They had better things to do other than hang around with folks that resemble their domesticated plants. In fact, they were preparing for war!


The Barasts had one other echoing sentiment throughout their territory. "We're all in for it now!" As a matter of fact, they were. Now the only thing they can do is to mobilize for a grand war. The Barasts were naturally tough. They might seek out the most hellish of planets to train for an upcoming conflict of epic proportions. Hopefully they can negotiate their way into more.

 

[Hercynia]

"Exploratory Frigate Hope, you have permission from Exploratory Battleplate Tisari to deploy. You have a time slot for the next five minutes to engage Sub-Matter Drives." The voice crackled through the communications panel, Captain Chey'n nodding to the officer stationed there to broadcast the message throughout the ship. Crewmembers paused for a moment, looking up from their preperation, before continuing, soon finishing what they were working on. "All personnel, please remain inside the frigate. Brace for warp." The captain looked up from the microphone, up out of the forward bridge. "Speranta, engage Sub-Matter Drive at maximum efficiency. Take us out on whatever guide-path Tansuo set us."


"Certainly. We shall begin transit on a guide-path, as you so eloquently put it, to an as-yet unidentified system. Probes have been deployed, reporting no Warp-denial."


"Thank you, Speranta."


Outside the frigate, all docking arms broke free, folding up into a neutral position. The frigate slowly moved outside the hangar of the battleplate, and paused, before vanishing, in a stretched-out veil of blue light.