Sands on the Solar Wind (Open)

[Shireling]

Uplink 4.0
Stardate 4.10.2555
Mazrah City, Yastia, The Yastis System​

The great houses of the Qirnian Hoard-Lords were impressive, gargantuan structures built with the slave labor of millions that stretched from the bottomless pits of Yastia's core-mining shafts to the tips of the sulfuric clouds. Ash and soot rained from the yellow sky and fell gently like grey snow on the black uniform coat of Corvok Karonin, the Pretender King of the Traiverux. Corvok, with his grim face drawn back in a scowl and his arthropod body rigid and at attention, moved his featureless white eyes to survey the work crews below as the maglev sped along at a moderate pace towards the hall of Hoard-Lord Mazrah, one of the most powerful and richest (as the two words were synonymous) of the Qirnian leaders.

When Corvok reached the interior of the palace, he was escorted by two drone soldiers with polearms from the antechamber into the private quarters of Lord Mazrah. The Qirnian, a fat and bloviating little creature that was as loathsome to Corvok as any of the galaxy's wormiest scum, sat in a comfortable, gilded chair watching two scantily-clad human slave women engaged in debauchery for his amusement. Corvok, while not particularly bothered by such treatment of slaves, found Mazrah's inability to control his pornographic habits a sign of rather poor character which only served to deeper ingrain his prejudice against the amoral caterpillars of the galactic commonwealth. The drone soldiers dragged the women away to make way for Corvok, who stood where they had been taking extra care to ensure that his feet did not touch any loathsome residue.

"Lord Karonin," Mazrah said in an overly-enthusiastic greeting, "it is a pleasure to finally meet you!" The Qirnian, whose bulging eyes were filled with lustful glee and whose corpulent hands and cheeks betrayed a startling array of vericose veins, leaned back in his chair upon his fine silks.

"As it would seem," Corvok mused under his breath. The Traiverux warrior wondered how far his people had fallen that he was forced to go to this peddler of vice and corruption to finance his campaign. The Traiverux bowed at the waist. "Lord Mazrah, my envoy informed me that you were willing to finance my return to Xavin? This was to be granted on condition of my coming to Yastis to see you. Is this still your wish?"

"It is, but," said the Qirnian, "I have other matters of business. First, tell me, what intrigues have caused the noble prince to leave the Court of the Strong?"

"I am rightful heir to the throne by virtue of my right as firstborn, but the disgrace that my mother has brought upon herself by her affair, which is common knowledge to the people, caused my father to dispossess me of my inheritence. Maylor now sits on the throne, my younger brother, and his incompetence knows no bounds. If not for the good of my people, I would be content to live in exile, but Maylor's incompetence could spell the final death of the Heirarchy."

"Is it not true," the Qirnian interjected, "that the Traiverux king may dispossess sons of their inheritence at his discretion?"

"That is what is written in our Ancient Codes, but these are modern times. Maylor threatens the stability of the empire with his wasteful displays of ostentatious wealth, his friends carry blank charters for his treasury, and the whole of nature is up in arms against the unnaturalness of his rulership. Do the Ancient Codes know more than the gods?"

"Yes..." Mazrah muttered, not too fussed about any of that but ready to jump into the part that most concerned himself, "And so you ask for my financing? A fleet and mercenaries to fight your war?"

"Some of the Traiverux admirals and generals are loyal to me, and will defect when given a show of strength. Others are more hidebound, legalists, loyalistic. They will follow Maylor to his ruin, I suspect. The battle will be hard fought."

"And if you win?"

Corvok sighed, "As we discussed, upon my ascendance to the throne, I will lift the Restrictions on Foreigners allowing commercial traffic within the empire and allowing for limited immigration. Specifically, we will allow limited access to Xavin's jumpgate."

"And...?"

Corvok paused, then continued, "And the ships of Lord Mazrah will be exempt from tolls."

Mazrah smiled. "Yes...now, let us see what ships we can outfit for your...homecoming, Lord Karonin."

DIPLOMATIC DEVELOPMENTS​

It has come to the attention of the nations of the galaxy that the Pretender King Corvok Karonin is raising an army to challenge King Maylor for leadership of the Traiverux Heirarchy. He is backed by the influential financier Lord Mazrah of Yastis and his vassals.

Spoiler: Terran Naval Construction Queue

Corvettes: 15/20
Frigates: 3/4
2 Cruisers: 3/4
1 Battleship: Completed
1 Carrier: Delayed

Spoiler: Public Order Situations

Public order is eventually restored in the Arthurian Union as the news cycle sweeps away much of the outrage concerning the arrest of the infamous Qirnian crime boss. General Deth Glitch

The measures taken by the leadership of the Tempus Order sufficiently calms the minor lords that, when the rents for the next month are due, they are dutifully paid. Petroshka

 

[General Deth Glitch]

Proxima
The ships stationed in Proxima held position near the lane to Arcturus and went the referendum resulted in the people deciding to join the UTL they assisted the otherwise small garrison in checking passports and otherwise verifying ships passing out, as well as assuring all newly made citizens of the UTL they were welcome to apply for citizenship with the Union. As saddened as they were to see so many leave the safety that was Proxima. The government, as well as many within the Union, were against the idea of Proxima joining the UTL as they had seen it as a neutral, protected system between themselves and the UTL, to allow them to protect humans seeking freedom from their governments without forcing them into the dangerous depths of space. Nevertheless, they were happy to see the UTL use democracy to attain the territory rather than the means generally used by the other nations. From the Unions understanding, there was no foul play and such it was a just referendum. Once the sudden rush of people leaving the system was over the ships left the border guards to it.

The Royal Palace, Camelot
The King paced up and down as he was being caught up to the situation in the Traiverux. A Civil war, against the incumbent king. It could be an opportunity... a chance to show the power and influence of the monarchy or a disaster showing how strong monarchs result in tempestuous and unstable kingdoms. "Very well. Let it be arranged for me to speak to the king. See his offer and where he stands for we cannot have a long drawn out conflict. No matter the result we must ensure it is swift and with as little loss of life as we can manage... if we can win trade with a wealthy closed-off nation at the same time then that's a win all around. Find out what you can about the pretender and try to arrange a parley with the King." he said to his advisors

Elsewhere in Camelot

Lord Faustus stood in the Admiralty Building, overlooking the plans for the new Corvettes and the Ordinance Frigate being designed to act as a new force to hunt pirates and patrol neutral space so that the main fleet will be able to use fewer resources in achieving the same goal and be more able to defend against the growing threats the region faces. Making the fleet more able to move as a whole and strike at the heart of the nation's threats. "How goes the work gentlemen?" He asked "Swiftly Lord Faustus, all going well the new force should be protecting the freedom of trade for all in no time!" they replied, which got a smile from their leader, "Good. the void shall be protected for all to use. Much as the Antarctic treaty of old, we shall ensure the tenants of the old Outer Space Treaty are kept for generations to come. Excellent work Gentlemen... I am sure future generations will remember the work done by us in securing their freedoms, even if they don't know us by name."

-----------------------
Actions:
Contact Traiverux
Assist people leaving Proxima, ensuring the current security infrastructure isn't overwhelmed by mass migration
Construction of 8 Corvettes and an Ordinance Frigate
Shireling​

 

[Royalblue127]

It was a joyous day in the bright city of Atlantis. For the first time in living memory, the UTL had gained a system. Fortuitously it coincided with the finishing of the Bio-Dome, and it was when the last slate was put into place that the capital hosted the largest party of the year. Many famous bands, from the classic 4chan Quartet, to the new age music of Funk-pop, it gathered a continuous stream of all the major influencers of the world. The sky was pitch black, with a perfec view of the stars. Games were set up for the children, and adults who were interested. All were welcome, and any who lived on the island had a free pass. It was here that Abimbola and his wife could be found, shaking hands and smiling for the cameras flashing like fireflies. Abimbola politely excused himself from his talk with the Swedish delegate, and made his way to get drinks for his wife and himself. His smile faded a bit, as he ordered a colorful margarita for his wife, and a Rum and Coke for himself.

"If only we could have celebrated after the trial, but that would have ruined the mood," he thought. "The trial is postponed until the witness statements can be confirmed, but I still wish I could see her burn far sooner."

He was brushed out o his musings by a rough slap to his shoulder, and turned to see a smiling Viktor Kuznetsov leaning on the bar. "Why do you look so glum, the night is for celebration, not moping comrade." His heavy Russian accent caused a smile to appear on Abimbolas face, as he turned to grab the drinks from a waiting server.

"I thought you couldn't make it, something about the Agency failing to gather info on the Traiverux situation?"

"The office was boring, and situation was under control when I left. Thought I'd come down, have some beer, talk with a friend. Honestly, the whole thing seems unnecessary, we have no stake in the war, and we don't really need to start one any time soon."

Abimbola motioned for them to start walking, and they moed towards his wife. "We need to have a better understanding of the situation, for all we know their king could be worse than the usurper. The Traiverux have always been suspicious of outsiders, and all I've heard from them currently is that their king is not well liked, acting more in his indulgent self interest rather than the good of his kingdom."

"I hope your not talking about work Abim, you promise me you'd relax tonight." A beautiful women walked up to the two men, her usual uniform replaced with a long blue dress, and her dark hair flowing around her shoulders. She leaned into Abimbola, as he smiled softly and took her arm.

"We were just finishing up some work, don't worry dear this time outside the Reality Chambers is more precious than any duty I have. Here," he passes over the margarita, "lets go find a quite place to talk."