Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 15:17:50 GMT
A few weeks had passed since the Silence on Askandar. The corrupted artificial intelligence responsible for the planet's near-total extinction had been restored, and its constructs now worked alongside its denizens and alien helpers to return the hub world to its former glory. In this span of time, the Annoliddan Inquisition had made a point to send as many reserve artisans and construction units as possible to help bring back Askandar's former glory.
At the core of their operations was a large orbital platform, far larger than the communication buoys and defensive outposts scattered throughout the system. It lacked an official title, however it earned the nickname "The Waterfall" after the design of Annoliddan walkways and elevators having access to interlocking waterways for faster transportation. These led to various zones of construction and repair in which the Annoliddan workers built multitudes of different vehicles and refined raw materials into feasible resources. All of these were either shuttled down to the planet, or orbital-dropped to pre-designated locations. In addition to construction, the Waterfall was acting as a hub for all incoming interstellar communications and ships, allowing the people of Askandar to continue about their intergalactic business as usual.
One particular individual stood out amongs the personnel on the station. Lieutenant Thai of the Divine Davian Empire had stayed behind to help further after the rest of his forces left the planet. With his help however, the Annoliddans had managed to send a message to Davian controlled space, requesting their presence back in the Askandar system.
=== Davia main base ===
"We had received news from our liaison officer in Askandar that the faction called Annoliddans is requesting our presences there." Gold reported to Kia who still sitting on his business desk.
"And?"
"Well… Kia. We had promised Elwar that we will help. Before the trial though. So what's your order, our station is ready to move too."
"I think we can do as planned Kia. The message seems… friendly enough to me."
"That Grand Imperial Council wants me, no us to hang around here before they can piece together the new cadre..." The sector commander got up: "Alright, normally I would have you go Green but Askandar was your responsible Gold, so you get up there, set up our station, take a look at our aid and talk to both Elwar and the Annoliddans. Try to find some friends for us, we need it. As second in charge you have full authority to arrange any trade with them."
"I will take your order then."
=== Askandar ===
From a corner of Askandar system, several wormholes formed themselves at the middle of cold space as a Thien Truong fast cruiser supported by 4 Chuong Duong destroyers and a seemingly transport ship broke free of FTL. Soon after another much larger wormhole appeared as the whole space station emerged from its GATE towed by several more ships. As the station was being tow toward Askandar, the small Davian fleet cautiously moved toward the Annoliddans's station, their shield remained raise but their weapons stayed within their place, without retracting weapons Davian ships seemed to be very lightly armed.
"Greeting Annoliddans Inquisition. We are here as your request as well as to fulfill our promise to help rebuilding the planet." The Fast Cruiser sent its message: "What are your businesses here today may we ask?"
The Waterfall station flashed pleasant green lights across its surface. Two small Halley frigates flew out to meet the Davian ships halfway, broadcasting hailing and guidance signals all the while. The station itself returned the Cruiser's transmission:
"Greetings once again Davian Empire. It is good to see your return. As you will see, much has happened in your absence on Askandar. The planet and its people are recovering exceptionally well, but the trauma and stress they endured will inevitably have lingering effects. The constructs have been a tremendous help, and most of the rebuilding is already complete."
"There are a few issues that require your attention however. These are best discussed in person. Would you kindly send an emissary ship or two to follow one of the frigates back to the docking bay? The other will escort your station to an ideal spot in Askandar's orbit."
"We are glad that the Annoliddan and some other people has been here to help rebuilt the planet while we were absence. We should have been here too but there were some events which require our attention. But we would be here from now on to help." The fast cruiser responded politely: "In the other hand we sincerely accept your request. Our flagship here would follow you while the rest of our ships would go with our station."
After the message was sent, the fast cruiser broke formation and slowly moved toward the Annoliddan frigates while the destroyers changed its direction toward Davian's own station.
On board the fast cruiser's command room, Gold sent a message toward his own units: "Flagship will follow the Annoliddan. This is a peaceful diplomatic talk. All other units escort the station and help set it up. Stay away from other factions; we do not want to mess with people here, contact with Elwar that we will send resources and personnel should he give us permission to do so."
"Yes comrade commander."
The Davian fast cruiser was guided to the docking area of the station. There, tubes and arms extended to support the ship and allow access further into the station. Once the Davian personnel had made their way across and into what appeared to be a recovery area. Various pieces of broken machines and debris from the different factions that had been on Askandar were scattered about the large room. Most chunks were organized into piles from their respective factions, while others were separated as Artisans studied them. Towards the center of the chamber sat a raised platform where most of the experimentation was being done.
Among the dissected constructs and broken down vehicles awaited a trio of Annoliddans at a makeshift meeting table. With them sat Lieutenant Thai. The table was mostly cleared, save for a few Davian firearms and other machinery, clearly broken beyond use.
Upon seeing the Davians arrive, one of the Annoliddans stood and beckoned to them. "Thank you for meeting with us. I do apologize for the use of this room for our meeting, but this is actually the room with the most space available in the station at the moment. Also, the topic of recovery is paramount to why we called you here today."
The Davian group was not large; they were led by a rather small figure, a robot cladded entirely in golden color armor, still its face remained a human face. The robot was closely guarded by two silver color robots and followed by 2 human and 1 Shiguran officers for a total of 6 individuals.
"Commander Gold. I'm surprise that you are here." Lieutenant Thai immediately stood up and saluted.
Gold nodded slightly: "It's just my duty. And you did well lieutenant."
It took Gold just a few seconds to scan through the surrounding area to notice there were Davian debris, broken machines, pieces of weapons and several bags filled with the remain of the Davian soldiers.
"Greeting Annoliddan friends. It's my honor to meet you here today. And don't worry about the room sir as we are ok with it. Firstly I want to say thank you for you to treat our liaison officer well despite the regretfully incident." Gold bowed slightly to show his respect toward the Annoliddan before continuing sincerely with a friendly smile: "And I see you had managed to recover some of our belonging here and... our fallen. So how may I help you sir? And with your allowance may I pay our fallen some respect too?"
"Please do. Forgive our lack of ceremony for their bodies, as we were uncertain how Davians properly treat their dead." The center Annoliddan responded. He stood and bowed deeply to Commander Gold, his half-mechanical body seemed to break in half to bow as he did. The only two other Annoliddans on the platform remained seated but lowered their heads and gestured with their hands.
"I am Artisan Maero, the resident 'Proelia feliciter ut servaretur' here on Askandar, and these are my assistants. It is my solemn duty to restore the battlefields below us to their original state, including removing and studying various alien technologies found therein. My purpose for this meeting is twofold. First and foremost is to return the fallen Davian to their empire, as well as materials you would deem worth recovering. The second is perhaps more important however..."
He picked up the object closest to him on the table, a dismantled Davian plasma musket. Maero then delicately removed the part that contained the weapon's plasma, and placed it within a different mechanism on the table, visibly different than the rest of the machinery on the table. The device readily powered on and seemed fit for use.
"You see," Maero continued, "Recovering technology is the easy part, but getting it to function and further integrate into our own is tricky. All tech can be combined over time, but the unique... culture of each races' machinery must be overcome first. However, as I just demonstrated, Davian technology can be quickly integrated into our own."
Maero then took up some more Annoliddan parts and refitted the Davian musket with them, creating a hybrid weapon capable of firing both Davian plasma shots and Annoliddan maser beams. He twirled the weapon around to point at himself, presenting it to Lieutenant Thai.
"If I may be so bold, Commander Gold, I wanted to ask your permission to fully integrate our two technologies together so we may both benefit from each other. Also, in doing so, we the Annoliddan Inquisition ask that the Davian Empire share its method of producing a viable weaponized plasma. We do not expect this information to simply be given freely, and ask that you name your price for it."
"Many thanks Artisan Maero. With your allowance." The leading robot stopped for a moment before kneeling down on one of his knee before the bags which stored the remains of fallen Davian and looked down while giving out a silence blessing: "Fallen children of Davia. You gave your life protecting the Empire. The divinity of the Empire embraces your souls. Suffering no more fallen comrades, for you are now one with Divine Davia, immortal for eternity. May you bless us back."
Then he stood up and turned to the Annoliddan again: "All I can do is giving them a small blessing. And I thank you for your kind intention sir. We will recover our fallen first and foremost."
Gold then looked as the Artisan began to modify the Davian's weapon using none Davian techs. Once the process was finished Gold nodded to the lieutenant who carefully picked the new weapon up.
"Do we have anyway to try this new weapon safety here may I ask?" Lieutenant Thai sincerely asked while scanning through the new weapon.
At the same times Gold gave himself a few moments to calculate the situation: "I must say I'm impressed for this combination as well as some notable potential for both of our nations here. Beside if I am right you seem to have some interest to our plasma technologies isn't it?"
"Yet you are right Artisan Maero. While we Davian are willing to trade common goods, trading technologies is another story and I am sure you know why." Gold's voice while remaining friendly and sincerely became a little more serious: "Normally we would only trade our technologies with those we considered as friends or allies. While our nations just meet the other for a rather short times and our first meeting was not very easy I think we can trust your people after what you did here and there. But principle is principle so in order for us to share information or provide help we require Annoliddan Inquisition to sign a non-aggressive pact, a free trade agreement, and more importantly a defensive pact with us. Of course we can negotiation further about this should you want to and I will try to be as constructive as possible here. And I won't lie to you sir, we are trying to build up our relation with AGA blocs and Davia is in need of some friends in this galaxy."
Maero nodded understandingly. "But of course, such a trade agreement would require such pacts. In fact, although it was never put down in writing, Lieutenant Thai secured them already for the Davian Empire, thanks to his exceptional performance and resolve to stay behind and help us thus far. Regardless of all other soldiers, he showed that Davians are truly capable of selflessness, something my people respect."
"Now, as far as testing this weapon..." Maero called over his communicator. The words were brief, but soon after a chunk of a vehicle of sorts came soaring overhead from somewhere else in the room. Maero raised and fired the gun, a visually satisfying bolt of plasma followed by a small trail of energy erupting from it. When it reached the vehicle not a moment later, the projectile released a tremendous explosion before seemingly continuing upward and scorching the ceiling past it. The wreckage fell to the floor a few meters from the platform, smoldering from where it was hit.
"This is but a prototype, however. With further integration, the overall firepower could reach combat effectiveness, even against heavily armored and shielded targets... hopefully." Maero then placed three emblems on the table, sliding them over to Gold. "I hope these will suffice as forms of written pacts. The symbols indicate that the bearer and their affiliate faction under their command is in a non-aggression, free trade, and defense agreement with the Inquisition. As for other AGA powers, I'm afraid we remain a relative unknown to most, but I can provide the location of some of their systems and the factions controlling them, so you may make yourselves known to them." Maero slid across a small data tablet containing this information.
"I'm glad that we can reach these agreements Artisan Maeron." Gold nodded with a smile while picking up the emblems: "We will cherish these as much as I can. In the other hand, please accept these."
Gold retrieved two small boxes. Within the box was a short rifle brandished with gold, jewels, emeralds and tortoiseshell while the other box contained two data pads which stored some data and the formal agreement for all 3 treaties: "Please accept these, sir. This is called golden plasma musket, we generally give it as good will for new contact. And here is our diplomatic code, a brief information about our nation, a digital copy of our agreements and finally the location of our trade system Voi Con. Beside with your allowance I ask for the permission to establish our embassy within your space if it's acceptable, in return we would also let you establish your embassy there."
Gold watched the result of the test fire and allowed himself to let out a pleasant smile while listening to Maero again: "That is impressive sir. Our co-operation would surely benefit both of our nations. And now with the agreements, we considered Annollidan Inquisition is our friend, and as I said, we do not treat friendship lightly so we will support our joint R&D as much as possible and would also share other technology, resources and other support with you within our power should you require it and we hope you would do the same."
"And I thank you for your sharing of the map, here is our own map about this galaxy. Please accept it." Gold in turn transferred the Davian's version of Ancerious map for Maero.
"Thank you for these gifts," replied Maero as he took the golden musket and digital copies. "However I lack the rank and position to allow an embassy, but I will inform my superiors of these agreements and will ask them. I advise prepping for an embassy nonetheless; I doubt they will turn away the request."
He stood and bowed once more to Gold. "You have my thanks again for meeting today. I wish you and the Divine Davian Empire the best of luck as we continue to explore this galaxy.
At the core of their operations was a large orbital platform, far larger than the communication buoys and defensive outposts scattered throughout the system. It lacked an official title, however it earned the nickname "The Waterfall" after the design of Annoliddan walkways and elevators having access to interlocking waterways for faster transportation. These led to various zones of construction and repair in which the Annoliddan workers built multitudes of different vehicles and refined raw materials into feasible resources. All of these were either shuttled down to the planet, or orbital-dropped to pre-designated locations. In addition to construction, the Waterfall was acting as a hub for all incoming interstellar communications and ships, allowing the people of Askandar to continue about their intergalactic business as usual.
One particular individual stood out amongs the personnel on the station. Lieutenant Thai of the Divine Davian Empire had stayed behind to help further after the rest of his forces left the planet. With his help however, the Annoliddans had managed to send a message to Davian controlled space, requesting their presence back in the Askandar system.
=== Davia main base ===
"We had received news from our liaison officer in Askandar that the faction called Annoliddans is requesting our presences there." Gold reported to Kia who still sitting on his business desk.
"And?"
"Well… Kia. We had promised Elwar that we will help. Before the trial though. So what's your order, our station is ready to move too."
"I think we can do as planned Kia. The message seems… friendly enough to me."
"That Grand Imperial Council wants me, no us to hang around here before they can piece together the new cadre..." The sector commander got up: "Alright, normally I would have you go Green but Askandar was your responsible Gold, so you get up there, set up our station, take a look at our aid and talk to both Elwar and the Annoliddans. Try to find some friends for us, we need it. As second in charge you have full authority to arrange any trade with them."
"I will take your order then."
=== Askandar ===
From a corner of Askandar system, several wormholes formed themselves at the middle of cold space as a Thien Truong fast cruiser supported by 4 Chuong Duong destroyers and a seemingly transport ship broke free of FTL. Soon after another much larger wormhole appeared as the whole space station emerged from its GATE towed by several more ships. As the station was being tow toward Askandar, the small Davian fleet cautiously moved toward the Annoliddans's station, their shield remained raise but their weapons stayed within their place, without retracting weapons Davian ships seemed to be very lightly armed.
"Greeting Annoliddans Inquisition. We are here as your request as well as to fulfill our promise to help rebuilding the planet." The Fast Cruiser sent its message: "What are your businesses here today may we ask?"
The Waterfall station flashed pleasant green lights across its surface. Two small Halley frigates flew out to meet the Davian ships halfway, broadcasting hailing and guidance signals all the while. The station itself returned the Cruiser's transmission:
"Greetings once again Davian Empire. It is good to see your return. As you will see, much has happened in your absence on Askandar. The planet and its people are recovering exceptionally well, but the trauma and stress they endured will inevitably have lingering effects. The constructs have been a tremendous help, and most of the rebuilding is already complete."
"There are a few issues that require your attention however. These are best discussed in person. Would you kindly send an emissary ship or two to follow one of the frigates back to the docking bay? The other will escort your station to an ideal spot in Askandar's orbit."
"We are glad that the Annoliddan and some other people has been here to help rebuilt the planet while we were absence. We should have been here too but there were some events which require our attention. But we would be here from now on to help." The fast cruiser responded politely: "In the other hand we sincerely accept your request. Our flagship here would follow you while the rest of our ships would go with our station."
After the message was sent, the fast cruiser broke formation and slowly moved toward the Annoliddan frigates while the destroyers changed its direction toward Davian's own station.
On board the fast cruiser's command room, Gold sent a message toward his own units: "Flagship will follow the Annoliddan. This is a peaceful diplomatic talk. All other units escort the station and help set it up. Stay away from other factions; we do not want to mess with people here, contact with Elwar that we will send resources and personnel should he give us permission to do so."
"Yes comrade commander."
The Davian fast cruiser was guided to the docking area of the station. There, tubes and arms extended to support the ship and allow access further into the station. Once the Davian personnel had made their way across and into what appeared to be a recovery area. Various pieces of broken machines and debris from the different factions that had been on Askandar were scattered about the large room. Most chunks were organized into piles from their respective factions, while others were separated as Artisans studied them. Towards the center of the chamber sat a raised platform where most of the experimentation was being done.
Among the dissected constructs and broken down vehicles awaited a trio of Annoliddans at a makeshift meeting table. With them sat Lieutenant Thai. The table was mostly cleared, save for a few Davian firearms and other machinery, clearly broken beyond use.
Upon seeing the Davians arrive, one of the Annoliddans stood and beckoned to them. "Thank you for meeting with us. I do apologize for the use of this room for our meeting, but this is actually the room with the most space available in the station at the moment. Also, the topic of recovery is paramount to why we called you here today."
The Davian group was not large; they were led by a rather small figure, a robot cladded entirely in golden color armor, still its face remained a human face. The robot was closely guarded by two silver color robots and followed by 2 human and 1 Shiguran officers for a total of 6 individuals.
"Commander Gold. I'm surprise that you are here." Lieutenant Thai immediately stood up and saluted.
Gold nodded slightly: "It's just my duty. And you did well lieutenant."
It took Gold just a few seconds to scan through the surrounding area to notice there were Davian debris, broken machines, pieces of weapons and several bags filled with the remain of the Davian soldiers.
"Greeting Annoliddan friends. It's my honor to meet you here today. And don't worry about the room sir as we are ok with it. Firstly I want to say thank you for you to treat our liaison officer well despite the regretfully incident." Gold bowed slightly to show his respect toward the Annoliddan before continuing sincerely with a friendly smile: "And I see you had managed to recover some of our belonging here and... our fallen. So how may I help you sir? And with your allowance may I pay our fallen some respect too?"
"Please do. Forgive our lack of ceremony for their bodies, as we were uncertain how Davians properly treat their dead." The center Annoliddan responded. He stood and bowed deeply to Commander Gold, his half-mechanical body seemed to break in half to bow as he did. The only two other Annoliddans on the platform remained seated but lowered their heads and gestured with their hands.
"I am Artisan Maero, the resident 'Proelia feliciter ut servaretur' here on Askandar, and these are my assistants. It is my solemn duty to restore the battlefields below us to their original state, including removing and studying various alien technologies found therein. My purpose for this meeting is twofold. First and foremost is to return the fallen Davian to their empire, as well as materials you would deem worth recovering. The second is perhaps more important however..."
He picked up the object closest to him on the table, a dismantled Davian plasma musket. Maero then delicately removed the part that contained the weapon's plasma, and placed it within a different mechanism on the table, visibly different than the rest of the machinery on the table. The device readily powered on and seemed fit for use.
"You see," Maero continued, "Recovering technology is the easy part, but getting it to function and further integrate into our own is tricky. All tech can be combined over time, but the unique... culture of each races' machinery must be overcome first. However, as I just demonstrated, Davian technology can be quickly integrated into our own."
Maero then took up some more Annoliddan parts and refitted the Davian musket with them, creating a hybrid weapon capable of firing both Davian plasma shots and Annoliddan maser beams. He twirled the weapon around to point at himself, presenting it to Lieutenant Thai.
"If I may be so bold, Commander Gold, I wanted to ask your permission to fully integrate our two technologies together so we may both benefit from each other. Also, in doing so, we the Annoliddan Inquisition ask that the Davian Empire share its method of producing a viable weaponized plasma. We do not expect this information to simply be given freely, and ask that you name your price for it."
"Many thanks Artisan Maero. With your allowance." The leading robot stopped for a moment before kneeling down on one of his knee before the bags which stored the remains of fallen Davian and looked down while giving out a silence blessing: "Fallen children of Davia. You gave your life protecting the Empire. The divinity of the Empire embraces your souls. Suffering no more fallen comrades, for you are now one with Divine Davia, immortal for eternity. May you bless us back."
Then he stood up and turned to the Annoliddan again: "All I can do is giving them a small blessing. And I thank you for your kind intention sir. We will recover our fallen first and foremost."
Gold then looked as the Artisan began to modify the Davian's weapon using none Davian techs. Once the process was finished Gold nodded to the lieutenant who carefully picked the new weapon up.
"Do we have anyway to try this new weapon safety here may I ask?" Lieutenant Thai sincerely asked while scanning through the new weapon.
At the same times Gold gave himself a few moments to calculate the situation: "I must say I'm impressed for this combination as well as some notable potential for both of our nations here. Beside if I am right you seem to have some interest to our plasma technologies isn't it?"
"Yet you are right Artisan Maero. While we Davian are willing to trade common goods, trading technologies is another story and I am sure you know why." Gold's voice while remaining friendly and sincerely became a little more serious: "Normally we would only trade our technologies with those we considered as friends or allies. While our nations just meet the other for a rather short times and our first meeting was not very easy I think we can trust your people after what you did here and there. But principle is principle so in order for us to share information or provide help we require Annoliddan Inquisition to sign a non-aggressive pact, a free trade agreement, and more importantly a defensive pact with us. Of course we can negotiation further about this should you want to and I will try to be as constructive as possible here. And I won't lie to you sir, we are trying to build up our relation with AGA blocs and Davia is in need of some friends in this galaxy."
Maero nodded understandingly. "But of course, such a trade agreement would require such pacts. In fact, although it was never put down in writing, Lieutenant Thai secured them already for the Davian Empire, thanks to his exceptional performance and resolve to stay behind and help us thus far. Regardless of all other soldiers, he showed that Davians are truly capable of selflessness, something my people respect."
"Now, as far as testing this weapon..." Maero called over his communicator. The words were brief, but soon after a chunk of a vehicle of sorts came soaring overhead from somewhere else in the room. Maero raised and fired the gun, a visually satisfying bolt of plasma followed by a small trail of energy erupting from it. When it reached the vehicle not a moment later, the projectile released a tremendous explosion before seemingly continuing upward and scorching the ceiling past it. The wreckage fell to the floor a few meters from the platform, smoldering from where it was hit.
"This is but a prototype, however. With further integration, the overall firepower could reach combat effectiveness, even against heavily armored and shielded targets... hopefully." Maero then placed three emblems on the table, sliding them over to Gold. "I hope these will suffice as forms of written pacts. The symbols indicate that the bearer and their affiliate faction under their command is in a non-aggression, free trade, and defense agreement with the Inquisition. As for other AGA powers, I'm afraid we remain a relative unknown to most, but I can provide the location of some of their systems and the factions controlling them, so you may make yourselves known to them." Maero slid across a small data tablet containing this information.
"I'm glad that we can reach these agreements Artisan Maeron." Gold nodded with a smile while picking up the emblems: "We will cherish these as much as I can. In the other hand, please accept these."
Gold retrieved two small boxes. Within the box was a short rifle brandished with gold, jewels, emeralds and tortoiseshell while the other box contained two data pads which stored some data and the formal agreement for all 3 treaties: "Please accept these, sir. This is called golden plasma musket, we generally give it as good will for new contact. And here is our diplomatic code, a brief information about our nation, a digital copy of our agreements and finally the location of our trade system Voi Con. Beside with your allowance I ask for the permission to establish our embassy within your space if it's acceptable, in return we would also let you establish your embassy there."
Gold watched the result of the test fire and allowed himself to let out a pleasant smile while listening to Maero again: "That is impressive sir. Our co-operation would surely benefit both of our nations. And now with the agreements, we considered Annollidan Inquisition is our friend, and as I said, we do not treat friendship lightly so we will support our joint R&D as much as possible and would also share other technology, resources and other support with you within our power should you require it and we hope you would do the same."
"And I thank you for your sharing of the map, here is our own map about this galaxy. Please accept it." Gold in turn transferred the Davian's version of Ancerious map for Maero.
"Thank you for these gifts," replied Maero as he took the golden musket and digital copies. "However I lack the rank and position to allow an embassy, but I will inform my superiors of these agreements and will ask them. I advise prepping for an embassy nonetheless; I doubt they will turn away the request."
He stood and bowed once more to Gold. "You have my thanks again for meeting today. I wish you and the Divine Davian Empire the best of luck as we continue to explore this galaxy.