Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 15:27:43 GMT
Beacons flickered in the frontier of Dectrose space, spaced out by many lightyears. They were there to attract ships of a wide area but the actual location of the ships laying them would only be broadcasted if Dectrothian ships answered the call. Were any AGA or unidentified vessels to begin following the trail of breadcrumbs, they would be instantly shut down in their entirety. The beacons themselves were launched by YW-class corvettes of E Pluribus Axioma that flew far away from their formation to drop them and fly back to rejoin.
The main formation of over 700 ships was flying in a loose formation, grouped up in an uncharacteristic escort formation around their flagship rather than flying in independent groups. This was because the recent encounter at Rubikon, however successful it had been for the ships given not a single one of them was lost, had left them completely depleted of fuel and ammunition. There was only enough fuel for the ships to slightly nudge their course along the Dectrothian fringe space, for the most part their engines were fully inactive. The fight had also left their reactors extremely hot and fully depleted their open-cycle coolant reserves, requiring every vessel to fully extend their radiators waiting for enough heat to leave their ships so they could once again fire their reactors. Nevertheless the nozzles and ram scoops of their engines were still glowing a dull red. A group of 25 older-generation destroyers had joined the EPA Operational Maneuver Group to lend their modest escort to the most powerful single fighting unit of E Pluribus Axioma's interstellar fleet. Lastly, a small cruise ship flew along the military vessels, chartered to house meetings given the woefully inadequate interiors of the EPA ships.
In the middle of the formation was the only ship still fully active of the group, battleship Z1. A ship so radioactive that the only vessels that flew in close formation were other unmanned battleships, all crewed vessels were keeping hundreds of thousands of kilometers of separation with the flagship. It was from that ship that Nrzqzr, senior commander and prophet of E Pluribus Axioma, directed the course and actions of the fleet. Following the successful breakout from Rubikon, the Operational Maneuver Group had left APP forces to their fate and jumped as far as possible from the battlefield in order to break the AGA's trail of the ship. Ever since its construction, Z1 had been endlessly hounded by the intelligence agencies, interstellar navies and special forces units of the AGA that sought to destroy it. Every installation that had handled Z1 had been subsequently destroyed in raids, the shipbuilding companies of the Rangvald Cartel were no longer willing to sacrifice another one of their expensive shipyards to attempt to service the ship. Yet Z1 was still incomplete and Nrzqzr had seen in the Dectrose Empire an opportunity to complete the superweapon.
While several of the newer long-range sensor stations where being placed in pairs with the existing Imperial Border Guard stations on the edges of Dectrothian controlled space, the beacons where met with some degree of confusion and curiosity. The station soon called in the nearest IBG fleet to come perform investigation on these beacons, with the small fleet comprising of only five frigates soon on the scene of the first few beacons, then following them like a child in the forest following crumbs.
Tentatively, they listened in silence on their sensors, watching, and waiting to see what the trail would eventually lead to. Though these uneasy ears would soon start detecting an energy signature, one that was unknown to most except for the Triarch Advisor onboard the lead frigate, the signature identifying as the E Pluribus Axioma, and with the knowledge of the nation in hand, the Dectrose moved on with more confidence, intending to seek the answer to why they where here, as the who and what had already been answered.
It wouldn't be long before the frigates made it into contact range, confirming the presence of a very large ship, as well as it's fleet escort. On all sensors, the fleet was burning brightly, the heat and the sounds of a ship that had been in combat echoed throughout the Dectrothian sensors. The Captain of the lead frigate, Commander Delvaros prepped all lithium dispensers, slowly approaching the fleet as he opened up his hail to them "E Pluribus Axioma Fleet, this is the Dectrothain Imperial Border Guard Frigate 'Maxium', I am Commander Delvaros, is there something that you need assistance with? We can offer you repairs and refueling if you require it." While he spoke with confidence, his chest still felt tight, confronting the unknown is one way to make the day eventful.
Z1 exhibited quite a lot of microfragment damage on its external hull, one side of which had been left pockmarked with many small craters while the rest of the fleet was untouched. It could only move one of its two large parabolic antennae, which it trained onto the Dectrothian frigates to establish a discreet communications link.
"I am Sister Nrzqzr, acting in representation of my dear departed brother Klchn'rr and the people of E Pluribus Axioma." She said, identifying herself as none other than the actual leader of the enormous militant organization. "With me is Fleet Director Mzghzz of the Operational Maneuver Group, Admiral Fchnkz of the Electronic Forces and General Coordinator Dtrtrtr of the Foreign Service. I thank your punctual answer to my beacons, as they are no longer needed I will inactivate them for our common safety."
The signal was sent out and the beacons quickly went silent in a random order.
"I am grateful and relieved by your offer, my fleet is currently almost completely out of fuel. As per standardized navigation protocol I am forced to make an emergency request to you and your service for us to be allowed to dock and refuel in your territory."
The frigates moved in gracefully, but swiftly to the side of the fleet, before turning towards a particular direction, their heading into the Dectrose Empire "Sister Nrzqzr, we would be glad to assist you and your fleet, however, due to recent AGA activity around and in the Dectrose Empire, we would like to take some precautionary methods in order to ensure your safety, and of our own safety." Delvaros paused, seemingly looking up a system to jump to "We will be heading into the Dectrose Empire, and stop at three coordinates before stopping in a system with a Magnetar, to effectively conceal your energy signatures. There will be Rapier II Shield Ships awaiting your arrival at each location, this is due in part to your lead ship's energy output, and said energy will be restored to you when your repairs, rearming and refueling is concluded."
"I shall also contact Admiral Landow, to begin scanning our isolated systems with the Oracle, to also mask the location of your ships' energy readings. From there on out, I will transfer you over to the Dectrothain Nightstalkers and the Daedalus Research Institute, who will bring in several specialists, and engineers to make a pre-fabricated drydock to perform your repairs. I am sending you the coordinates now, when we arrive at out first location, please allow our ships stationed there to perform heat dissipation of your ships with lithium droplet dispensers, and for your lead ship to transfer out energy to the awaiting shield ships."
With that, Delvaros sent over the coordinates for the first waypoint, taking little time in opening his FTL drive commands to the EPA fleet in order for them to sync their own FTL computers to the frigates, in order to ensure accuracy in the travels and to make sure the ships awaiting them will be in prime position to begin their operations.
"I am humbled by your earnest collaboration." Nrzqzr replied through the comms link. "However, I must inform you that while my ship is capable of carrying out the order right away, my fleet currently possesses enough charge only for one single jump. If you would grant me a few hours, it would be possible for us to use whatever auxiliary fuel and batteries we have to gather enough charge to carry out all three jumps in quick succession. I believe such a waiting period can be used to meet with your leadership, who I believe I have great need of addressing."
The radiators on the ships, which had been slowly dimming in brightness ever since the fleet had jumped in, suddenly began increasing their glow when the auxiliary power units were turned on inside the ships. Rather than being fusion reactors like the main powerplants, these were nanofuel turbines that consumed the fuel normally used in the ships' reaction control systems to generate current and begin recharging some of the depleted capacitors.
With a quick reply, the Commander agreed "Of course, I'll have Grand Assault Fleet Admiral Vanessa Terri come to meet with you, she's one of the leaders of the Dectrose that is currently not on assignment. She'll be coming onboard the 'Hana's Solace' shortly." After some time, Terri's ship silently slipped out of it's wormhole, a much different effect from the usual warp drive that proclaimed the Dectrose's appearance at the location. The IBG Frigates where sent to the surrounding space, using their passive sensors and collaboration with the long-range sensors to ensure the meeting isn't disturbed.
The voice of a woman, stressed from the recent events, but reassuring and compassionate came through "Sister Nrzqzr, I am Grand Assault Fleet Admiral Vanessa Terri, though you may refer to me as Terri, if you wish. I understand your fleet is in dire need of repairs, and that you wish to have a calm, discreet place to do so before moving on. I also understand that you wished to talk to the leadership of the Dectrose, and I am willing to represent the Empire in this matter, which manner of such a meeting are you most comfortable with? We can meet on a ship of your choosing, my own or simply as we are now. I leave the choice to you" She took a long sip from her black coffee, her grip not used to the newer cup, as she had sorely missed the feel of the cup she had lost when the original Hana had been destroyed.
"I have brought a ship for the express purpose of hosting meetings, as the interiors of my own ships are sadly not the most convenient or easily navigated." Nrzqzr replied, remotely ordering the cruise liner to briefly flash its beacons to make them stand out among the warships. "Please dock at your own leisure, air has been sterilized and the crew has prepared for arrival."
"Thank you, Sister Nrzqzr, we shall arrive momentarily." The ship, now moving swiftly, yet carefully though the fleet, slid alongside the designated ship, a single shuttle lifting free from the cruiser's docking bay with Terri and her fireteam on guards, and slowly drifted into the awaiting bay of the cruise ship. Terri had the pilot check the atmosphere, and augmented her lungs in order to give her the humidity she needed, and warmed the thin layer of the thermal suit to the temperature she was comfortable with, before stepping out of the shuttle.
The brilliant purple admiral's suit, with it's black and white trim and the various medals attached to her chest clinking and swinging to her movements, made a statement as Terri walked to meet whomever was waiting for her, her guards where in polished power armor, with the captain of the fireteam wearing the Dectrothian flag attached to his right shoulder, draping down his back to just below the waist. There they awaited their hosts and kept a calm demeanor.
The interior of the cruise liner was a literally sterile sight. All of the amenities of the ship such as restaurant tables, carpets, pools, beds, chairs and pottery had been wrapped in plastic bags and taped shut. A plethora of air purification machines and pipes hung from the ceiling or laid on the floor, giving the liner the internal appearance of a heavily quarantined area. The air inside the liner had been completely sterilized, rendering it overly dry and painful to breathe were it not for Terri's systems compensating.
The EPA crewmen were dressed accordingly, wearing huge and baggy fluorescent HAZMAT suits with utility belts and respirators, thick rubber gloves and boot covers. The entire crew was like that, the Dectrothians couldn't even tell their rank as the only insignia they carried were QR badges readable only to themselves. There was no armed presence, everyone onboard seemed more occupied by maintaining the quarantine.
"Admiral Vanessa Terri" one of the EPA crewmen came up to them, his voice muffled by the suit. "Please follow me, ship has been completely decontaminated."
He silently led them through the luxurious corridors of the ship, all of which were adorned with exuberant baroque galleries full of paintings and statues, with chandeliers lining the roof. Beneath all the plastic covers and UV lights, Terri and her men could see the ship practically radiate luxury and wealth, clearly having once belonged to an elite agency before being chartered. The corridors led them to a large and spectacularly decorated opera hall where over 150 other HAZMAT-clad figures sat in rows, turning back to see Terri come in through the main entrance. On the other side of the concert hall, sitting on the stage, was the only person who wasn't wearing decontamination gear. It was a woman wearing an opera dress and tall gloves, looking somewhere in her middle years but well-kept. She waved at the Dectrothian to come through and climb onstage where the crew had arranged an ample table with many seats.
"I thank your presence, Admiral Vanessa Terri." She said. "Please come in."
Looking around to her surroundings, the art, decor and elegant features of the ship's interior where at first lost on Terri. As she passed by, following the lead of her guide, she tried to study and look closer at the luxurious furnishings, the artistic style of another xeno race causing her to internally ask many questions. Though as she continued, she slowly began to see the beauty of it, and slipped her travel cup out, unscrewed the cap and took a sip, the black silk of the coffee smoothly moving through her mouth, and down her throat. To Terri, the coffee was similar to the art she passed, the elegance of both now dawning on her, as she passed the hazmat-suited personnel.
Her guards expressed concern across secure communications, but as Terri had been on several different first contact missions before, she did not share their concern. If there was anything harmful, down to the molecular level where her augments couldn't identify it, it was purged and destroyed before it went through the start of her respiratory system, this was a main factor why most drug usage in the Empire has dropped significantly, and the recreational use of such has also dropped.
Soon enough, Terri and her guard reached the extravagant concert hall, her eyes wandering throughout the room before settling on the woman on the stage awaiting them. She looked pleasant, wonderfully calm and beautiful, something Terri had thought to herself that she needed after the tragic events leading up to this day. Taking no more delays, Terri moved up onto the stage, crossed the distance between the part of the stage she stepped up onto, and to the table, and stood there next to her chair, making she she was polite "Thank you for your invitation madam, I must say it's an honor to meet you." She then awaited the other's permission to be seated, as she was the host, after all.
"Please have a seat." Nrzqzr gently gestured towards the chair next to Terri. When she sat down, the curtains behind them were slowly raised to showcase a pristine view of the galactic disk through enormous and thick window panels, showing that the ship's concert hall doubled as an observation deck. The formation of EPA ships was so spread out Terri couldn't really tell which of the millions of twinkling points of light was the fleet and which ones were stars. Only one of them was easily recognizable as it shone bright enough to stand out against the stars and possessed a purple color unlike anything else in the sky. It was battleship Z1, with an impressive apparent magnitude given the hundreds of thousands of kilometers that separated it from the cruise ship. From how bright it was at that distance it was obvious that it would be completely blinding from up close and highly radioactive.
A group of servers and sommeliers walked up to Terri and Nrzqzr also wearing pressurized HAZMAT jumpsuits. They came up to them with menus and selections of wines for them to choose. Silver cutlery and fine china was arranged on the table in front of both representatives. Nrzqzr finished her order in one single databurst so the servers almost immediately left to carry it out. None of the dishes were familiar to Terri given that they came from a style of cuisine specifically meant to be able to be completely disinfected and thus was largely synthetic. Most of it looked like pills arranged in various fancy patterns and with streaks of sauce applied. Thus she had to rely on the pictures and the descriptions the servers gave her to have any idea of what she'd be ordering in the first place.
"I regret not being able to meet you personally." Nrzqzr said as the sommelier began filling her cup with wine. She calmly gestured at herself. "This is just a body proxy who was kind enough to lend me her presence to meet you. My actual body is onboard the ship you see." She pointed at the bright purple dot. "It is a delicate craft that requires a lot of attention. A lot of the systems that were meant to have the ship take care of itself were not installed and as such I am temporarily acting as its flight computer."
She paused for a moment.
"I consider your suggestion excellent and there is no degree of humility that will be able to express my gratitude for you. My fleet command had also considered post-stellar compact objects to disguise the signature of this ship and I am glad you have a magnetar within your territory. The fleet will be able to immediately start refitting my ship as soon as we've linked up with your tenders and fueling ships. To show my good will I ask you to let me pay for the fuel in advance. 88 million tons of reactor-grade monocrystalline metallic hydrogen to be denominated in our own currency for a total of 14 billion Nakaokas. More or less 105 trillion standard-issue galactic exchange credits if it eases conversion for you. You are at liberty of choosing to be paid the equivalent in any other currency or commodity you prefer, although should that be the case you might have to grant me a few additional days in order to move that money without affecting commodity prices. For support of rearming operations we are willing to pay you 32 billion or equivalent. And if you are open to widening the scope of these negotiations..." She looked at Terri elegantly. "...There is a significantly larger account I am willing to run with you."
"Thank you." As Terri sat down, her figure conformed into the chair, though there was an odd feeling about it, knowing that this seat wasn't likely designed for such usage by a xeno race, from the EPA's perspective. The thought carried weight, as she simmered on the xenophobic factions within the Dectrose Empire, and those that are the most outspoken. It was almost funny, how they dislike xenos, yet to other races they themselves where xenos. Though as she turned her attention briefly to the wonderful view of the stars, and to this galaxy, her mind focused on the fact that the Empire's, and her own, place in the galaxy was always a much smaller part of the whole.
The purple color of their larger ship, rang into Terri's pride in the Dectrose, as it was the primary color for their nation's vessels, vehicles and their flag. She had a good feeling in her stomach, but even so, the thought of the Union soured these thoughts. She knew that this event was too significant to throw away, but they had to step very carefully. Her thoughts where interrupted by the servers' arrival, thanking them when they handed her the menu, and while even her translators failed to recognize and decypher the language, she was still interested enough in their cuisine to pick a colorful-looking assortment of pills with a strange-looking sauce on it, giving the menu back to the server, and motioning to her guard, one of which producing a cylinder containing her black coffee, and as she slipped out her new cup, the guard filled it, the steam lasting briefly before the dry air consumed it.
"It is not an issue, I am pleased to meet you regardless of your true location or your situation." When the sommelier approached her, Terri thanked them, but declined, lifting her cup of black coffee to indicate she was perfectly fine. "Hopefully we can alleviate your situation soon then, I can imagine how taxing such a task must be."
She allowed Nrzqzr to give her proposition, and tried to follow, even though the monetary exchange forced her to task a process in her head to calculate it into the Imperial Credit Chit, and the massive amounts of Metallic Hydrogen would likely have her contact Decarth Command in order to allocate that amount without causing much of a stir within the Empie to any prying eyes outside of the Empire. Though the concern in her mind was that any transfer between the Dectrose and EPA across such distances would no doubt draw attention to those looking very closely, so to mitigate that risk, she thought of a rather different payment.
"My concern with such vast transfers of currencies or materials between our nations is that anyone watching you or I will no doubt see the slight, if negligent, changes, and with the state of the war between APP and AGA, I fear that may draw undue attention to us. The alternative for us would be the value of science and knowledge, and if you wouldn't mind the change from hard currency and materials to knowledge and technology, I believe that an understanding into more advanced techniques, technology or knowledge in this galaxy would help reduce and mitigate the risk of our operation being found by those unfriendly to you or I."
She shifted her legs "I don't mean to offend you in any way by suggesting this alternative, but I believe that this would help reduce the need for any imports or transports from gaining any understanding or knowledge of your presence here in the Empire. Though that is not to say that after we are finished that we must part ways permanently, I personally would like to build relations with you in order to secure closer ties with your nation, and lend a helping hand should you need one again."
"A transfer of technology, I see." Nrzqzr pondered, taking her time to let the servers bring both of them their dishes. "I see why you prefer that, although sadly it is quite difficult to be able to know the precise value of a piece of technology. Much harder than with exchange goods or with consumption goods, like currency and commodities. Scientific knowledge that might be next to worthless to a people might be another people's key for conquering the stars. And while I have received some moderately thorough briefings about the nation I am now in, I am still quite a few encyclopedias away from being able to consider myself even slightly knowledgeable about your people."
She bowed her head slightly with a gesture of courtesy towards Terri. "But I believe we can work with that. I can have ammunition carrier ships bring in a few extra munitions for you to inspect. Or if you think your industrial capability is up to the task, I could simply transmit the designs to the nearest manufacturing center and see if they can build us the reloads. As far as closing our ties, Admiral Vanesa Terri, I believe there is a way. My ship is thus far blind and possesses no weaponry aside from its main instrument. As part of this technology sharing agreement, how willing do you say your leadership would be to facilitate me the missing components of my ship? I require a number of capital-grade gyroscopes for the ship's inertial navigation system as well as electro-optical navigation and targeting systems in order to bring her completely up to standard. Such critical help would be rewarded dearly."
Terri understood the position that Nzrqzr, there is no price on technology, and what she said was truth, though as she produced her personal RAVD node, set it aside and took some of the pills, tasting them, the one word she could use to describe the taste was.. 'Fluttery'. She respectfully continued, and her RAVD node connected to her internal processor, flooding her mind with information, the torrent would likely be overwhelming to other races not accustomed to such, but she sorted through it, and with her calm and clear demeanor, she brought up the most up-to-date technological limits they have come across, and had them sent to a datapad. A guard walked up to the table, and placed the datapad within reach of Nzrqzr, as Terri also directed a history of the Dectrose Empire over to the datapad as well.
"I believe that would be sufficient, and I would suggest giving our industry a few days to go over and dissect the designs in order to begin manufacturing the needed ammunition. We can also enlist the help of some Specialists from several areas of the Empire, as well as limited assistance from other races that have pledged alligence to our Empire. Such would likely occur at some of Daedalus Research Institute's most secluded and secure facilities, so the threat of a leak of information is negligible. Though I'm confident that once the designs are completely understood and the munitions are made, we can easily meet any amount you would need in the week provided."
The gave a moment, two moments to consider the proposition of the extra components, the task was a slight challenge, and she didn't consider it lightly. "I believe that we can enlist Heimdall Heavy Manufacturing's R&D Department to create custom orders of such in order to fit them perfectly into your systems, we would need to have them come to the location to scan and conform the design into your existing systems. But as for the overall timeframe, I believe that we can rapidly design and produce the needed materials, components and munitions in the given timeframe. With the loss of Kaikoma, some manufacturing has been devastated, and many of the industrial plants have been vaporized, but we are in the process of transferring these to Sacrisa, so the build-up of activity will not cause much undue attention, if at all, as Sacrisa's Drive Yards are not open to the galaxy at large."
She looked over the table, finishing her plate, and tasting something that was almost fluid-like with the last pill "In short, I'm certain we can repair, re-arm and refit you in the provided timeframe, and ensure that the entire operation is kept to the utmost secrecy and protection."
Nrzqzr simply nodded along Terri's suggestion in approval, thanking the guard for the datapad and sliding it closer to her to give a brief inspection. "Excellent. I commend you for your hospitality, it is a truly rare occasion when successful diplomacy is carried out so quickly the turbines don't even have time to recharge for our jump... We shall be here for a couple more moments before departure unfortunately, but please do not let me hold you down from more important matters, I am sure you've got plenty to attend. However, before you do..."
She paused and put her cutlery down, looking at Terri straight in the eyes.
"...have you heard of the Syntagma?" Nrzqzr asked in a soft tone. "No need to worry about my reaction, ma'am, I guarantee you I am not the religious zealot AGA propaganda paints me as. I am just curious as whether my message precedes me in these faraway lands..."
In a brief moment, Terri sorted through the database for any mention on this 'Syntagma' combing through recent records, anything that might relate to it, and she found nothing, her eyes fluttered, lost now in the database, broadening the search, opening classified documents, opening all files and running the search, before she found a transcript from then-Major Turney, at an Axiomatic Facility north of the Dectrose Empire. She opened and read the dialogue, then refocused her gaze to Nrzqzr.
"There was mention of it only once during our time here, picked up on a Dectrothian's Communication Equipment. From the sources there, it was from someone named Bzr, an Axiomatic Soldier that had mentioned it. I shall forward the transcript to you." She waved her hand towards the datapad, and the words appeared on the screen.
"You now have to choose between you and 7500 billion strangers. Most of the current galactic order depends on nobody having seen what you saw and nobody bringing back what you did. Because you now know that the Syntagma is false, and those who get their power from it will go to the depths of hell to bury you with that information."
Terri highlighted the word that Nrzqzr requested knowledge of, and took a sip of her black coffee, finishing it and watching her with curious eyes.
Nrzqzr gave a soft chuckle and raised her eyebrow, handing the datapad over to one of the servants who carried it away in a silver platter. "Strong words coming from an Axiomatic footsoldier."
"The Syntagma is the message I and E Pluribus Axioma as a whole represent. I was not the author of this message, Axiom Hjelmsdeläre was, rest his soul. It was given to me and my dearly departed brother Khlchnrr L'll. You could qualify it as being too grandiose to understand and obtuse at times but false? What does an Axiomatic trooper know about what falsehood is? They spend their entire lives locked in vats, dreaming perpetually and only awakening for brief moments when they are needed. Past their useful lifespans they are digested by their vats and fed to the subsequent generation of Axiomatic footsoldiers as a slog of proteins. In between the dreaming and the psychoactive compounds their brains use to function, you could not find a creature any more detached from reality than them. They do not have societies and do not build anything, they do not even reproduce. To call them lifeforms is to extend great courtesy to those... arrangements of ceramic, flesh, organs and bone devoid of any sense of meaning or purpose."
She was raising her voice a bit as she spoke and lowered her tone when it got too noticeable.
"Who has that trooper ever inspired? To whom has it given purpose? Where are the great megastructures and cities built in her name? The Syntagma has all of them. It is a gift most dear to me... Hjelmsdeläre might not have lived long among us but he lived long enough to give us the Syntagma and that is all we need. It is a document whose scope boggles the human imagination, a Book of Books. Something of such size and complexity that even when you dedicate entire datacenters to its processing it still feels like you're gazing at it through a pinhole. It is not written in syntax like traditional books, rather it is written in an immense amount of quantum equations of state that describe the interactions of every single particle in a geographical area over the span of several years. You can follow the path of a single carbon atom contained within an apple and follow its history as the apple is eaten by someone and that atom is metabolized into part of a glucose molecule which will be part of the synapse that brings a character a great revelation. You can do this with every single particle, see the tapestry of cause and effect with a level of detail no scientific instrument or theory could ever bring.
And what happens in this quantum simulation is just as grandiose as the method used to transcribe this message. It tells the story of mankind's invention of a deity, a being of pure awareness, in a time of great psychic distress."
Terri sat motionless, listening, thinking, listening more and pondering. While Terri hadn't been the one that had been there, she did agree with Nrzqzr as she went on. And while she had internal thoughts about the state of these 'lifeforms' she kept them just as that, not speaking of them, consuming what Nrzqzr spoke about, giving it some thought, and her processor busily digesting it all. Though she kept the words of Bzr safely tucked away in the back of her mind, it was beginning to be dampened in light of the revelations from Nrzqzr.
She also thought of the small majority, if that, that had believed such things from the reports from Turney, and the massive amounts of those Axioms against this line of thought. In the end, she thought it was just a minority, if it even existed after the Dectrose left the facility. She shrugged it off, pushing it aside, as the voice of one lone Axiomatic Trooper, against the established beliefs of the whole.
"I can see your point, Nrzqzr. This is only one voice against the whole, and it seems a little far-fetched, based on your explanation of this Syntagma. I see no reason to intervene in such based on the words of this 'Bzr' as well, though we may like to view whatever materials you have available on the Syntagma ourselves, and gain further understanding in such beliefs." She beckoned her guard, and he refilled her cup.
"None of your libraries could hope to contain the true nature of even a fraction of the Syntagma, I apologize greatly for this but as I just said it is a tapestry that has played out since the very moment of creation and will play out on infinitely small and large stages until the heat death of the universe. I can provide only the most basic overview that is able to be shown. It may still be beyond comprehension of your own people but it is the closest your kind can get to experiencing the greatness of the quantum revelation" She replied as she seemed to receive some kind of communication through her proxy body. An immensely pure breeze seemed to sweep into the theatre for a moment before Nrzqzr seemed to bow her head slightly.
"It seems the preparations for moving the fleet are nearing fruition, we will follow the jump co-ordinates you have provided where we will then undertake full refueling and resupply. I suggest we meet again very soon to continue our conversation, but alas I feel as if the longer we stay here the greater the chance that my beautiful amethyst chariot out there is found by the allies" She stood up and bowed once again.
"May blessings be upon you and your people for helping us in this great time of need we shall reconvene when my fleet has been attended to. Good day to you Terri"
Terri bowed as well "And to you too, Nrzqzr. I will dispatch IBG and Corsair fleets to ensure that the beacons that lead us here will be taken and deactivated, and then scattered to ensure that there will be no trail. As well, we will be checking up on your progress from time to time, and should interested parties seek you out, we will be readily able to move you and your fleet to a new location, one that I think few would dare to go."
She stood up, her guards helping her gather her things "I look forward to reading what you have been able to give me on the Syntagma, and I shall see to it that we will add it to our data storages for others to enjoy. But until we meet again, may the spirits guide and protect you, Sister Nrzqzr."
The main formation of over 700 ships was flying in a loose formation, grouped up in an uncharacteristic escort formation around their flagship rather than flying in independent groups. This was because the recent encounter at Rubikon, however successful it had been for the ships given not a single one of them was lost, had left them completely depleted of fuel and ammunition. There was only enough fuel for the ships to slightly nudge their course along the Dectrothian fringe space, for the most part their engines were fully inactive. The fight had also left their reactors extremely hot and fully depleted their open-cycle coolant reserves, requiring every vessel to fully extend their radiators waiting for enough heat to leave their ships so they could once again fire their reactors. Nevertheless the nozzles and ram scoops of their engines were still glowing a dull red. A group of 25 older-generation destroyers had joined the EPA Operational Maneuver Group to lend their modest escort to the most powerful single fighting unit of E Pluribus Axioma's interstellar fleet. Lastly, a small cruise ship flew along the military vessels, chartered to house meetings given the woefully inadequate interiors of the EPA ships.
In the middle of the formation was the only ship still fully active of the group, battleship Z1. A ship so radioactive that the only vessels that flew in close formation were other unmanned battleships, all crewed vessels were keeping hundreds of thousands of kilometers of separation with the flagship. It was from that ship that Nrzqzr, senior commander and prophet of E Pluribus Axioma, directed the course and actions of the fleet. Following the successful breakout from Rubikon, the Operational Maneuver Group had left APP forces to their fate and jumped as far as possible from the battlefield in order to break the AGA's trail of the ship. Ever since its construction, Z1 had been endlessly hounded by the intelligence agencies, interstellar navies and special forces units of the AGA that sought to destroy it. Every installation that had handled Z1 had been subsequently destroyed in raids, the shipbuilding companies of the Rangvald Cartel were no longer willing to sacrifice another one of their expensive shipyards to attempt to service the ship. Yet Z1 was still incomplete and Nrzqzr had seen in the Dectrose Empire an opportunity to complete the superweapon.
While several of the newer long-range sensor stations where being placed in pairs with the existing Imperial Border Guard stations on the edges of Dectrothian controlled space, the beacons where met with some degree of confusion and curiosity. The station soon called in the nearest IBG fleet to come perform investigation on these beacons, with the small fleet comprising of only five frigates soon on the scene of the first few beacons, then following them like a child in the forest following crumbs.
Tentatively, they listened in silence on their sensors, watching, and waiting to see what the trail would eventually lead to. Though these uneasy ears would soon start detecting an energy signature, one that was unknown to most except for the Triarch Advisor onboard the lead frigate, the signature identifying as the E Pluribus Axioma, and with the knowledge of the nation in hand, the Dectrose moved on with more confidence, intending to seek the answer to why they where here, as the who and what had already been answered.
It wouldn't be long before the frigates made it into contact range, confirming the presence of a very large ship, as well as it's fleet escort. On all sensors, the fleet was burning brightly, the heat and the sounds of a ship that had been in combat echoed throughout the Dectrothian sensors. The Captain of the lead frigate, Commander Delvaros prepped all lithium dispensers, slowly approaching the fleet as he opened up his hail to them "E Pluribus Axioma Fleet, this is the Dectrothain Imperial Border Guard Frigate 'Maxium', I am Commander Delvaros, is there something that you need assistance with? We can offer you repairs and refueling if you require it." While he spoke with confidence, his chest still felt tight, confronting the unknown is one way to make the day eventful.
Z1 exhibited quite a lot of microfragment damage on its external hull, one side of which had been left pockmarked with many small craters while the rest of the fleet was untouched. It could only move one of its two large parabolic antennae, which it trained onto the Dectrothian frigates to establish a discreet communications link.
"I am Sister Nrzqzr, acting in representation of my dear departed brother Klchn'rr and the people of E Pluribus Axioma." She said, identifying herself as none other than the actual leader of the enormous militant organization. "With me is Fleet Director Mzghzz of the Operational Maneuver Group, Admiral Fchnkz of the Electronic Forces and General Coordinator Dtrtrtr of the Foreign Service. I thank your punctual answer to my beacons, as they are no longer needed I will inactivate them for our common safety."
The signal was sent out and the beacons quickly went silent in a random order.
"I am grateful and relieved by your offer, my fleet is currently almost completely out of fuel. As per standardized navigation protocol I am forced to make an emergency request to you and your service for us to be allowed to dock and refuel in your territory."
The frigates moved in gracefully, but swiftly to the side of the fleet, before turning towards a particular direction, their heading into the Dectrose Empire "Sister Nrzqzr, we would be glad to assist you and your fleet, however, due to recent AGA activity around and in the Dectrose Empire, we would like to take some precautionary methods in order to ensure your safety, and of our own safety." Delvaros paused, seemingly looking up a system to jump to "We will be heading into the Dectrose Empire, and stop at three coordinates before stopping in a system with a Magnetar, to effectively conceal your energy signatures. There will be Rapier II Shield Ships awaiting your arrival at each location, this is due in part to your lead ship's energy output, and said energy will be restored to you when your repairs, rearming and refueling is concluded."
"I shall also contact Admiral Landow, to begin scanning our isolated systems with the Oracle, to also mask the location of your ships' energy readings. From there on out, I will transfer you over to the Dectrothain Nightstalkers and the Daedalus Research Institute, who will bring in several specialists, and engineers to make a pre-fabricated drydock to perform your repairs. I am sending you the coordinates now, when we arrive at out first location, please allow our ships stationed there to perform heat dissipation of your ships with lithium droplet dispensers, and for your lead ship to transfer out energy to the awaiting shield ships."
With that, Delvaros sent over the coordinates for the first waypoint, taking little time in opening his FTL drive commands to the EPA fleet in order for them to sync their own FTL computers to the frigates, in order to ensure accuracy in the travels and to make sure the ships awaiting them will be in prime position to begin their operations.
"I am humbled by your earnest collaboration." Nrzqzr replied through the comms link. "However, I must inform you that while my ship is capable of carrying out the order right away, my fleet currently possesses enough charge only for one single jump. If you would grant me a few hours, it would be possible for us to use whatever auxiliary fuel and batteries we have to gather enough charge to carry out all three jumps in quick succession. I believe such a waiting period can be used to meet with your leadership, who I believe I have great need of addressing."
The radiators on the ships, which had been slowly dimming in brightness ever since the fleet had jumped in, suddenly began increasing their glow when the auxiliary power units were turned on inside the ships. Rather than being fusion reactors like the main powerplants, these were nanofuel turbines that consumed the fuel normally used in the ships' reaction control systems to generate current and begin recharging some of the depleted capacitors.
With a quick reply, the Commander agreed "Of course, I'll have Grand Assault Fleet Admiral Vanessa Terri come to meet with you, she's one of the leaders of the Dectrose that is currently not on assignment. She'll be coming onboard the 'Hana's Solace' shortly." After some time, Terri's ship silently slipped out of it's wormhole, a much different effect from the usual warp drive that proclaimed the Dectrose's appearance at the location. The IBG Frigates where sent to the surrounding space, using their passive sensors and collaboration with the long-range sensors to ensure the meeting isn't disturbed.
The voice of a woman, stressed from the recent events, but reassuring and compassionate came through "Sister Nrzqzr, I am Grand Assault Fleet Admiral Vanessa Terri, though you may refer to me as Terri, if you wish. I understand your fleet is in dire need of repairs, and that you wish to have a calm, discreet place to do so before moving on. I also understand that you wished to talk to the leadership of the Dectrose, and I am willing to represent the Empire in this matter, which manner of such a meeting are you most comfortable with? We can meet on a ship of your choosing, my own or simply as we are now. I leave the choice to you" She took a long sip from her black coffee, her grip not used to the newer cup, as she had sorely missed the feel of the cup she had lost when the original Hana had been destroyed.
"I have brought a ship for the express purpose of hosting meetings, as the interiors of my own ships are sadly not the most convenient or easily navigated." Nrzqzr replied, remotely ordering the cruise liner to briefly flash its beacons to make them stand out among the warships. "Please dock at your own leisure, air has been sterilized and the crew has prepared for arrival."
"Thank you, Sister Nrzqzr, we shall arrive momentarily." The ship, now moving swiftly, yet carefully though the fleet, slid alongside the designated ship, a single shuttle lifting free from the cruiser's docking bay with Terri and her fireteam on guards, and slowly drifted into the awaiting bay of the cruise ship. Terri had the pilot check the atmosphere, and augmented her lungs in order to give her the humidity she needed, and warmed the thin layer of the thermal suit to the temperature she was comfortable with, before stepping out of the shuttle.
The brilliant purple admiral's suit, with it's black and white trim and the various medals attached to her chest clinking and swinging to her movements, made a statement as Terri walked to meet whomever was waiting for her, her guards where in polished power armor, with the captain of the fireteam wearing the Dectrothian flag attached to his right shoulder, draping down his back to just below the waist. There they awaited their hosts and kept a calm demeanor.
The interior of the cruise liner was a literally sterile sight. All of the amenities of the ship such as restaurant tables, carpets, pools, beds, chairs and pottery had been wrapped in plastic bags and taped shut. A plethora of air purification machines and pipes hung from the ceiling or laid on the floor, giving the liner the internal appearance of a heavily quarantined area. The air inside the liner had been completely sterilized, rendering it overly dry and painful to breathe were it not for Terri's systems compensating.
The EPA crewmen were dressed accordingly, wearing huge and baggy fluorescent HAZMAT suits with utility belts and respirators, thick rubber gloves and boot covers. The entire crew was like that, the Dectrothians couldn't even tell their rank as the only insignia they carried were QR badges readable only to themselves. There was no armed presence, everyone onboard seemed more occupied by maintaining the quarantine.
"Admiral Vanessa Terri" one of the EPA crewmen came up to them, his voice muffled by the suit. "Please follow me, ship has been completely decontaminated."
He silently led them through the luxurious corridors of the ship, all of which were adorned with exuberant baroque galleries full of paintings and statues, with chandeliers lining the roof. Beneath all the plastic covers and UV lights, Terri and her men could see the ship practically radiate luxury and wealth, clearly having once belonged to an elite agency before being chartered. The corridors led them to a large and spectacularly decorated opera hall where over 150 other HAZMAT-clad figures sat in rows, turning back to see Terri come in through the main entrance. On the other side of the concert hall, sitting on the stage, was the only person who wasn't wearing decontamination gear. It was a woman wearing an opera dress and tall gloves, looking somewhere in her middle years but well-kept. She waved at the Dectrothian to come through and climb onstage where the crew had arranged an ample table with many seats.
"I thank your presence, Admiral Vanessa Terri." She said. "Please come in."
Looking around to her surroundings, the art, decor and elegant features of the ship's interior where at first lost on Terri. As she passed by, following the lead of her guide, she tried to study and look closer at the luxurious furnishings, the artistic style of another xeno race causing her to internally ask many questions. Though as she continued, she slowly began to see the beauty of it, and slipped her travel cup out, unscrewed the cap and took a sip, the black silk of the coffee smoothly moving through her mouth, and down her throat. To Terri, the coffee was similar to the art she passed, the elegance of both now dawning on her, as she passed the hazmat-suited personnel.
Her guards expressed concern across secure communications, but as Terri had been on several different first contact missions before, she did not share their concern. If there was anything harmful, down to the molecular level where her augments couldn't identify it, it was purged and destroyed before it went through the start of her respiratory system, this was a main factor why most drug usage in the Empire has dropped significantly, and the recreational use of such has also dropped.
Soon enough, Terri and her guard reached the extravagant concert hall, her eyes wandering throughout the room before settling on the woman on the stage awaiting them. She looked pleasant, wonderfully calm and beautiful, something Terri had thought to herself that she needed after the tragic events leading up to this day. Taking no more delays, Terri moved up onto the stage, crossed the distance between the part of the stage she stepped up onto, and to the table, and stood there next to her chair, making she she was polite "Thank you for your invitation madam, I must say it's an honor to meet you." She then awaited the other's permission to be seated, as she was the host, after all.
"Please have a seat." Nrzqzr gently gestured towards the chair next to Terri. When she sat down, the curtains behind them were slowly raised to showcase a pristine view of the galactic disk through enormous and thick window panels, showing that the ship's concert hall doubled as an observation deck. The formation of EPA ships was so spread out Terri couldn't really tell which of the millions of twinkling points of light was the fleet and which ones were stars. Only one of them was easily recognizable as it shone bright enough to stand out against the stars and possessed a purple color unlike anything else in the sky. It was battleship Z1, with an impressive apparent magnitude given the hundreds of thousands of kilometers that separated it from the cruise ship. From how bright it was at that distance it was obvious that it would be completely blinding from up close and highly radioactive.
A group of servers and sommeliers walked up to Terri and Nrzqzr also wearing pressurized HAZMAT jumpsuits. They came up to them with menus and selections of wines for them to choose. Silver cutlery and fine china was arranged on the table in front of both representatives. Nrzqzr finished her order in one single databurst so the servers almost immediately left to carry it out. None of the dishes were familiar to Terri given that they came from a style of cuisine specifically meant to be able to be completely disinfected and thus was largely synthetic. Most of it looked like pills arranged in various fancy patterns and with streaks of sauce applied. Thus she had to rely on the pictures and the descriptions the servers gave her to have any idea of what she'd be ordering in the first place.
"I regret not being able to meet you personally." Nrzqzr said as the sommelier began filling her cup with wine. She calmly gestured at herself. "This is just a body proxy who was kind enough to lend me her presence to meet you. My actual body is onboard the ship you see." She pointed at the bright purple dot. "It is a delicate craft that requires a lot of attention. A lot of the systems that were meant to have the ship take care of itself were not installed and as such I am temporarily acting as its flight computer."
She paused for a moment.
"I consider your suggestion excellent and there is no degree of humility that will be able to express my gratitude for you. My fleet command had also considered post-stellar compact objects to disguise the signature of this ship and I am glad you have a magnetar within your territory. The fleet will be able to immediately start refitting my ship as soon as we've linked up with your tenders and fueling ships. To show my good will I ask you to let me pay for the fuel in advance. 88 million tons of reactor-grade monocrystalline metallic hydrogen to be denominated in our own currency for a total of 14 billion Nakaokas. More or less 105 trillion standard-issue galactic exchange credits if it eases conversion for you. You are at liberty of choosing to be paid the equivalent in any other currency or commodity you prefer, although should that be the case you might have to grant me a few additional days in order to move that money without affecting commodity prices. For support of rearming operations we are willing to pay you 32 billion or equivalent. And if you are open to widening the scope of these negotiations..." She looked at Terri elegantly. "...There is a significantly larger account I am willing to run with you."
"Thank you." As Terri sat down, her figure conformed into the chair, though there was an odd feeling about it, knowing that this seat wasn't likely designed for such usage by a xeno race, from the EPA's perspective. The thought carried weight, as she simmered on the xenophobic factions within the Dectrose Empire, and those that are the most outspoken. It was almost funny, how they dislike xenos, yet to other races they themselves where xenos. Though as she turned her attention briefly to the wonderful view of the stars, and to this galaxy, her mind focused on the fact that the Empire's, and her own, place in the galaxy was always a much smaller part of the whole.
The purple color of their larger ship, rang into Terri's pride in the Dectrose, as it was the primary color for their nation's vessels, vehicles and their flag. She had a good feeling in her stomach, but even so, the thought of the Union soured these thoughts. She knew that this event was too significant to throw away, but they had to step very carefully. Her thoughts where interrupted by the servers' arrival, thanking them when they handed her the menu, and while even her translators failed to recognize and decypher the language, she was still interested enough in their cuisine to pick a colorful-looking assortment of pills with a strange-looking sauce on it, giving the menu back to the server, and motioning to her guard, one of which producing a cylinder containing her black coffee, and as she slipped out her new cup, the guard filled it, the steam lasting briefly before the dry air consumed it.
"It is not an issue, I am pleased to meet you regardless of your true location or your situation." When the sommelier approached her, Terri thanked them, but declined, lifting her cup of black coffee to indicate she was perfectly fine. "Hopefully we can alleviate your situation soon then, I can imagine how taxing such a task must be."
She allowed Nrzqzr to give her proposition, and tried to follow, even though the monetary exchange forced her to task a process in her head to calculate it into the Imperial Credit Chit, and the massive amounts of Metallic Hydrogen would likely have her contact Decarth Command in order to allocate that amount without causing much of a stir within the Empie to any prying eyes outside of the Empire. Though the concern in her mind was that any transfer between the Dectrose and EPA across such distances would no doubt draw attention to those looking very closely, so to mitigate that risk, she thought of a rather different payment.
"My concern with such vast transfers of currencies or materials between our nations is that anyone watching you or I will no doubt see the slight, if negligent, changes, and with the state of the war between APP and AGA, I fear that may draw undue attention to us. The alternative for us would be the value of science and knowledge, and if you wouldn't mind the change from hard currency and materials to knowledge and technology, I believe that an understanding into more advanced techniques, technology or knowledge in this galaxy would help reduce and mitigate the risk of our operation being found by those unfriendly to you or I."
She shifted her legs "I don't mean to offend you in any way by suggesting this alternative, but I believe that this would help reduce the need for any imports or transports from gaining any understanding or knowledge of your presence here in the Empire. Though that is not to say that after we are finished that we must part ways permanently, I personally would like to build relations with you in order to secure closer ties with your nation, and lend a helping hand should you need one again."
"A transfer of technology, I see." Nrzqzr pondered, taking her time to let the servers bring both of them their dishes. "I see why you prefer that, although sadly it is quite difficult to be able to know the precise value of a piece of technology. Much harder than with exchange goods or with consumption goods, like currency and commodities. Scientific knowledge that might be next to worthless to a people might be another people's key for conquering the stars. And while I have received some moderately thorough briefings about the nation I am now in, I am still quite a few encyclopedias away from being able to consider myself even slightly knowledgeable about your people."
She bowed her head slightly with a gesture of courtesy towards Terri. "But I believe we can work with that. I can have ammunition carrier ships bring in a few extra munitions for you to inspect. Or if you think your industrial capability is up to the task, I could simply transmit the designs to the nearest manufacturing center and see if they can build us the reloads. As far as closing our ties, Admiral Vanesa Terri, I believe there is a way. My ship is thus far blind and possesses no weaponry aside from its main instrument. As part of this technology sharing agreement, how willing do you say your leadership would be to facilitate me the missing components of my ship? I require a number of capital-grade gyroscopes for the ship's inertial navigation system as well as electro-optical navigation and targeting systems in order to bring her completely up to standard. Such critical help would be rewarded dearly."
Terri understood the position that Nzrqzr, there is no price on technology, and what she said was truth, though as she produced her personal RAVD node, set it aside and took some of the pills, tasting them, the one word she could use to describe the taste was.. 'Fluttery'. She respectfully continued, and her RAVD node connected to her internal processor, flooding her mind with information, the torrent would likely be overwhelming to other races not accustomed to such, but she sorted through it, and with her calm and clear demeanor, she brought up the most up-to-date technological limits they have come across, and had them sent to a datapad. A guard walked up to the table, and placed the datapad within reach of Nzrqzr, as Terri also directed a history of the Dectrose Empire over to the datapad as well.
"I believe that would be sufficient, and I would suggest giving our industry a few days to go over and dissect the designs in order to begin manufacturing the needed ammunition. We can also enlist the help of some Specialists from several areas of the Empire, as well as limited assistance from other races that have pledged alligence to our Empire. Such would likely occur at some of Daedalus Research Institute's most secluded and secure facilities, so the threat of a leak of information is negligible. Though I'm confident that once the designs are completely understood and the munitions are made, we can easily meet any amount you would need in the week provided."
The gave a moment, two moments to consider the proposition of the extra components, the task was a slight challenge, and she didn't consider it lightly. "I believe that we can enlist Heimdall Heavy Manufacturing's R&D Department to create custom orders of such in order to fit them perfectly into your systems, we would need to have them come to the location to scan and conform the design into your existing systems. But as for the overall timeframe, I believe that we can rapidly design and produce the needed materials, components and munitions in the given timeframe. With the loss of Kaikoma, some manufacturing has been devastated, and many of the industrial plants have been vaporized, but we are in the process of transferring these to Sacrisa, so the build-up of activity will not cause much undue attention, if at all, as Sacrisa's Drive Yards are not open to the galaxy at large."
She looked over the table, finishing her plate, and tasting something that was almost fluid-like with the last pill "In short, I'm certain we can repair, re-arm and refit you in the provided timeframe, and ensure that the entire operation is kept to the utmost secrecy and protection."
Nrzqzr simply nodded along Terri's suggestion in approval, thanking the guard for the datapad and sliding it closer to her to give a brief inspection. "Excellent. I commend you for your hospitality, it is a truly rare occasion when successful diplomacy is carried out so quickly the turbines don't even have time to recharge for our jump... We shall be here for a couple more moments before departure unfortunately, but please do not let me hold you down from more important matters, I am sure you've got plenty to attend. However, before you do..."
She paused and put her cutlery down, looking at Terri straight in the eyes.
"...have you heard of the Syntagma?" Nrzqzr asked in a soft tone. "No need to worry about my reaction, ma'am, I guarantee you I am not the religious zealot AGA propaganda paints me as. I am just curious as whether my message precedes me in these faraway lands..."
In a brief moment, Terri sorted through the database for any mention on this 'Syntagma' combing through recent records, anything that might relate to it, and she found nothing, her eyes fluttered, lost now in the database, broadening the search, opening classified documents, opening all files and running the search, before she found a transcript from then-Major Turney, at an Axiomatic Facility north of the Dectrose Empire. She opened and read the dialogue, then refocused her gaze to Nrzqzr.
"There was mention of it only once during our time here, picked up on a Dectrothian's Communication Equipment. From the sources there, it was from someone named Bzr, an Axiomatic Soldier that had mentioned it. I shall forward the transcript to you." She waved her hand towards the datapad, and the words appeared on the screen.
"You now have to choose between you and 7500 billion strangers. Most of the current galactic order depends on nobody having seen what you saw and nobody bringing back what you did. Because you now know that the Syntagma is false, and those who get their power from it will go to the depths of hell to bury you with that information."
Terri highlighted the word that Nrzqzr requested knowledge of, and took a sip of her black coffee, finishing it and watching her with curious eyes.
Nrzqzr gave a soft chuckle and raised her eyebrow, handing the datapad over to one of the servants who carried it away in a silver platter. "Strong words coming from an Axiomatic footsoldier."
"The Syntagma is the message I and E Pluribus Axioma as a whole represent. I was not the author of this message, Axiom Hjelmsdeläre was, rest his soul. It was given to me and my dearly departed brother Khlchnrr L'll. You could qualify it as being too grandiose to understand and obtuse at times but false? What does an Axiomatic trooper know about what falsehood is? They spend their entire lives locked in vats, dreaming perpetually and only awakening for brief moments when they are needed. Past their useful lifespans they are digested by their vats and fed to the subsequent generation of Axiomatic footsoldiers as a slog of proteins. In between the dreaming and the psychoactive compounds their brains use to function, you could not find a creature any more detached from reality than them. They do not have societies and do not build anything, they do not even reproduce. To call them lifeforms is to extend great courtesy to those... arrangements of ceramic, flesh, organs and bone devoid of any sense of meaning or purpose."
She was raising her voice a bit as she spoke and lowered her tone when it got too noticeable.
"Who has that trooper ever inspired? To whom has it given purpose? Where are the great megastructures and cities built in her name? The Syntagma has all of them. It is a gift most dear to me... Hjelmsdeläre might not have lived long among us but he lived long enough to give us the Syntagma and that is all we need. It is a document whose scope boggles the human imagination, a Book of Books. Something of such size and complexity that even when you dedicate entire datacenters to its processing it still feels like you're gazing at it through a pinhole. It is not written in syntax like traditional books, rather it is written in an immense amount of quantum equations of state that describe the interactions of every single particle in a geographical area over the span of several years. You can follow the path of a single carbon atom contained within an apple and follow its history as the apple is eaten by someone and that atom is metabolized into part of a glucose molecule which will be part of the synapse that brings a character a great revelation. You can do this with every single particle, see the tapestry of cause and effect with a level of detail no scientific instrument or theory could ever bring.
And what happens in this quantum simulation is just as grandiose as the method used to transcribe this message. It tells the story of mankind's invention of a deity, a being of pure awareness, in a time of great psychic distress."
Terri sat motionless, listening, thinking, listening more and pondering. While Terri hadn't been the one that had been there, she did agree with Nrzqzr as she went on. And while she had internal thoughts about the state of these 'lifeforms' she kept them just as that, not speaking of them, consuming what Nrzqzr spoke about, giving it some thought, and her processor busily digesting it all. Though she kept the words of Bzr safely tucked away in the back of her mind, it was beginning to be dampened in light of the revelations from Nrzqzr.
She also thought of the small majority, if that, that had believed such things from the reports from Turney, and the massive amounts of those Axioms against this line of thought. In the end, she thought it was just a minority, if it even existed after the Dectrose left the facility. She shrugged it off, pushing it aside, as the voice of one lone Axiomatic Trooper, against the established beliefs of the whole.
"I can see your point, Nrzqzr. This is only one voice against the whole, and it seems a little far-fetched, based on your explanation of this Syntagma. I see no reason to intervene in such based on the words of this 'Bzr' as well, though we may like to view whatever materials you have available on the Syntagma ourselves, and gain further understanding in such beliefs." She beckoned her guard, and he refilled her cup.
"None of your libraries could hope to contain the true nature of even a fraction of the Syntagma, I apologize greatly for this but as I just said it is a tapestry that has played out since the very moment of creation and will play out on infinitely small and large stages until the heat death of the universe. I can provide only the most basic overview that is able to be shown. It may still be beyond comprehension of your own people but it is the closest your kind can get to experiencing the greatness of the quantum revelation" She replied as she seemed to receive some kind of communication through her proxy body. An immensely pure breeze seemed to sweep into the theatre for a moment before Nrzqzr seemed to bow her head slightly.
"It seems the preparations for moving the fleet are nearing fruition, we will follow the jump co-ordinates you have provided where we will then undertake full refueling and resupply. I suggest we meet again very soon to continue our conversation, but alas I feel as if the longer we stay here the greater the chance that my beautiful amethyst chariot out there is found by the allies" She stood up and bowed once again.
"May blessings be upon you and your people for helping us in this great time of need we shall reconvene when my fleet has been attended to. Good day to you Terri"
Terri bowed as well "And to you too, Nrzqzr. I will dispatch IBG and Corsair fleets to ensure that the beacons that lead us here will be taken and deactivated, and then scattered to ensure that there will be no trail. As well, we will be checking up on your progress from time to time, and should interested parties seek you out, we will be readily able to move you and your fleet to a new location, one that I think few would dare to go."
She stood up, her guards helping her gather her things "I look forward to reading what you have been able to give me on the Syntagma, and I shall see to it that we will add it to our data storages for others to enjoy. But until we meet again, may the spirits guide and protect you, Sister Nrzqzr."