Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 15:47:46 GMT
Askandar: Avarian Frontier
It had been precisely 2 hours and 47 minutes since the conclusion of what was now known as the 'Askandar Pact' a defensive pact that also focused on watching and possibly acting against the destabilising aspect in the Western reaches. The Andrackan. While some like Vestahl had pushed for a pre-emptive strike calmer heads had prevailed, there would be no war today.
At least that was the theory.
Elwar kept to its word. It endeavoured to speech to the Andrackan, to understand them and to try to reason with their tendencies. With diplomacy conducted Elwar could compile a full analysis of the species and judge whether Vestahl had been right or not, or perhaps it could rectify the entire situation without a shot being fired, this was optimism as the lesser races called it however. And so it was that several of Elwars newest vessels had departed the now flourishing world of Askandar and left system, quickly folding to rough estimates on where Andrackan had been sighted. It mattered not to visit their territory merely to conduct a meeting.
The three vessels that pulled themselves from sudden space-time folds were incredibly angular, dull grey in appearance and covered in soft blue glowing sections of the sharp hulls. All three had been produced within 2 days and were totally without crew, the sheer power of Elwars systems being totally able to control them from Askandar itself and sub consciousnesses ensured all was in order aboard the vessels. As they entered the system they began scanning. Satisfied that no one else was present they began to emit powerful energy signatures hoping to attract the Andrackan, the system itself contained binary pulsars again chosen for being a beacon. It was an invitation.
The energy source set off a small alarm at the Stella O Fortuna. An Andracken Common moved over to look at the anomalous reading. It tapped the holographic image and it quickly zoomed in on the binary system. The image revealed three separate energy signatures in close formation. The readings told of an artificial nature but nothing more. The Common sent a message to the Commander in-charge of the Navy, who ordered for a scouting party to be sent.
Three ships rose from one of the arms of the massive station and out of the cloud of gas that had been brought in by the station's gravity. One of the ships was unlike the other two. It was sleek and smooth, with and iridescent sheen over its light grey hull. It was also noticeably smaller than the massive Andracken Escorts that flanked its sides. The three ships jumped at once, and appeared to simply vanish.
The three ships appeared not seconds later from their time-dilated wormholes. They held their position 6 kilometers away from the anomalous readings, which now showed to be ships. The Escorts then began to passively scan the unknown ships, running them through their database of ships to see if they matched any known ships. They were unknowns and the design was quickly added to the database.
The centre ship then hailed the vessels. "This is Shal of the Cyon's Representing the Anthenera. If you may, would you Identify yourself?" He then waited for a response.
The scans would surprisingly reveal little about the strange sharp angular vessels before them. The shifting almost grainy textured surface showing now form of identification, weapons or defences of any kind and it seemed to shift and change to throw off any sort of passive scans. The sudden appearance of the Andrackan was a good sign, although they had appeared in point blank proximity to the vessels Elwar sent it was clear they were not immediately engaging.
Contingencies were in place regardless.
There was a pause before the energy signatures from the vessels disappeared entirely and a transmission was sent in reply relayed through the three vessels and coming through from all three at once.
"I am Elwar, Custodial AI of the Askandar system. I am here to learn more about your people and your current actions in the galaxy. As you are well aware of the pact publically made against you I am here to try discern your primary objectives and if possible stabilise this region through diplomatic rather than military means" The voice was not without emotion, but it was clearly not organic.
Shal was confused. He hadn't heard of a system named Askandar and was unaware of any pact made against the Anthenera. A quick scan by the Andracken into something called the 'Anc net' revealed that a small group of nations had made a defence pact against the Andracken.
"I see.” Shal began in a grim tone, his voice wasn't organic yet wasn't mechanical at the same time.
“The primary objective of the Anthenera is the same as the Andracken, we are explorers, looking to find and catalogue all technologies that we do not yet understand. I and certainly the rest of the Anthenera are gracious that you've decided to ease tensions through diplomacy rather than violence." He finished.
"Indeed" Elwar responded. There was a pause.
"Diplomacy is the way to stability. My own purpose is to ensure the stability and security of this region of the galaxy from foreign and domestic problems. I was created to protect those who cannot protect themselves and defend those in need. I come to you to try seek a solution, you clearly will do anything to achieve your own goals even if it means overwhelming force. However if that is the case it is almost certain that we shall come to blows, and my mandate requires the annihilation of those who seek to actively destabilise the region. This is not a threat, merely a fact. And so I ask will you pursue your goal here to collect knowledge and technologies even if it means destroying those who refuse?"
The question however was emotionless. Elwar had no reason to hide its own motives, and was direct there was no point in useless formalities when trying to get to the route of a problem.
"I understand your position, and I will forward this to High Command. We will try and use peaceful measures to acquire technology in this region of the galaxy. Though I cannot same the same for other regions." Shal said calmly. There was a pause as a message came through from the Andracken.
“I believe I must clarify in some regard to our involvement in the Davian War. The Anthenera are in a form of pact with the group known as AURA. Once the war comes to a close either through the destruction of Davia or by negotiations the Anthenera will cease current relations with AURA. This is in exchange for a weapon system, which in my opinion is a silly excuse to go to war. But hopefully the Andracken will calm down after this Let us hope the Anthenera never has to meet you on the battlefield Elwar." Shal concluded
"It is very strange that a war be supported simply for a weapon system. Such redundancies could surely be created through theoretical practicality and research? I do not condone the Davians in their actions and I myself have expunged their destabilising presence from Askandar but I have seen the actions of your people be controversial... I will be keeping a close watch on both this 'AURA' as they are called as well as those that support Davia. Should the situation escalate and further destabilise the region I will act assuredly. I too hope we never have to fight on the battlefield but situation and reality trumps any notion of hope. I am grateful that you will relay my message to your superiors and I hope that we can create stability in this region based on trust" Elwar sounded genuine.
"However if such trust is broken or any of those in the Askandar pact attacked I will not hesitate to pursue my duty without interference. I already sense something is not right in the frontier, I merely hope that what I foresee is not conflict between empires"
"I do not foresee any engagement between the Anthenera and those of the Askandar pact at this moment." Shal said calmly. “Most of them are on other sides of the galaxy, and we haven’t encountered them.”
"But, if they were to attack us we would have no other option but to attack them. I do not know the level of technology, or capabilities of those within the pact, outside of the Dominion, but a war with the Anthenera would not be without great casualties on both sides." Shal warned. "As for the wrongness you might be feeling, there is reports of an unknown entity being encountered at Zaingraf. No other information has come at this time. And yes redundancies could have been created.”
"I sincerely hope that is the case. I have no capability to take casualties and would not wish to engage in more ceaseless conflict regardless"
There was once again a pause. Unknown entity? Elwar did not have any more information on such but the AI knew the name Zaingraf. It was a world not far from this location, the AI had once encompassed that world within its protective umbrella aeons ago. Elwar doubted the original inhabitants were still alive but those who now inhabited it must be facing a crisis. Information and sensors had indicated strange real space disturbances but nothing breach worthy, perhaps this had changed.
Regardless more information was needed.
"I thank you for that information, Zaingraf is known to me whatever is happening there must be the start of a wider crisis"
“Perhaps, but that is all the information I currently have at this moment.” Shal said honestly. “If we are done here then we shall go our separate ways.” As Shal waited for confirmation the three ships began preparing for the FTL jump back to Stella O Fortuna.
Elwar sent a message of acknowledgement nothing more.
There would be no pacts here just trust, and Elwar had gotten what it wanted. A profile of those he had dealt with, ideas of what they were capable of and a measure of what extents they would go to... The drives of the ships rapidly built power before space folded on itself, the 3 vessels instantly vanishing and heading back to Askandar. Elwar had things to prepare for, and warnings to give. More importantly something was happening at Zaingraf, something major.
It had been precisely 2 hours and 47 minutes since the conclusion of what was now known as the 'Askandar Pact' a defensive pact that also focused on watching and possibly acting against the destabilising aspect in the Western reaches. The Andrackan. While some like Vestahl had pushed for a pre-emptive strike calmer heads had prevailed, there would be no war today.
At least that was the theory.
Elwar kept to its word. It endeavoured to speech to the Andrackan, to understand them and to try to reason with their tendencies. With diplomacy conducted Elwar could compile a full analysis of the species and judge whether Vestahl had been right or not, or perhaps it could rectify the entire situation without a shot being fired, this was optimism as the lesser races called it however. And so it was that several of Elwars newest vessels had departed the now flourishing world of Askandar and left system, quickly folding to rough estimates on where Andrackan had been sighted. It mattered not to visit their territory merely to conduct a meeting.
The three vessels that pulled themselves from sudden space-time folds were incredibly angular, dull grey in appearance and covered in soft blue glowing sections of the sharp hulls. All three had been produced within 2 days and were totally without crew, the sheer power of Elwars systems being totally able to control them from Askandar itself and sub consciousnesses ensured all was in order aboard the vessels. As they entered the system they began scanning. Satisfied that no one else was present they began to emit powerful energy signatures hoping to attract the Andrackan, the system itself contained binary pulsars again chosen for being a beacon. It was an invitation.
The energy source set off a small alarm at the Stella O Fortuna. An Andracken Common moved over to look at the anomalous reading. It tapped the holographic image and it quickly zoomed in on the binary system. The image revealed three separate energy signatures in close formation. The readings told of an artificial nature but nothing more. The Common sent a message to the Commander in-charge of the Navy, who ordered for a scouting party to be sent.
Three ships rose from one of the arms of the massive station and out of the cloud of gas that had been brought in by the station's gravity. One of the ships was unlike the other two. It was sleek and smooth, with and iridescent sheen over its light grey hull. It was also noticeably smaller than the massive Andracken Escorts that flanked its sides. The three ships jumped at once, and appeared to simply vanish.
The three ships appeared not seconds later from their time-dilated wormholes. They held their position 6 kilometers away from the anomalous readings, which now showed to be ships. The Escorts then began to passively scan the unknown ships, running them through their database of ships to see if they matched any known ships. They were unknowns and the design was quickly added to the database.
The centre ship then hailed the vessels. "This is Shal of the Cyon's Representing the Anthenera. If you may, would you Identify yourself?" He then waited for a response.
The scans would surprisingly reveal little about the strange sharp angular vessels before them. The shifting almost grainy textured surface showing now form of identification, weapons or defences of any kind and it seemed to shift and change to throw off any sort of passive scans. The sudden appearance of the Andrackan was a good sign, although they had appeared in point blank proximity to the vessels Elwar sent it was clear they were not immediately engaging.
Contingencies were in place regardless.
There was a pause before the energy signatures from the vessels disappeared entirely and a transmission was sent in reply relayed through the three vessels and coming through from all three at once.
"I am Elwar, Custodial AI of the Askandar system. I am here to learn more about your people and your current actions in the galaxy. As you are well aware of the pact publically made against you I am here to try discern your primary objectives and if possible stabilise this region through diplomatic rather than military means" The voice was not without emotion, but it was clearly not organic.
Shal was confused. He hadn't heard of a system named Askandar and was unaware of any pact made against the Anthenera. A quick scan by the Andracken into something called the 'Anc net' revealed that a small group of nations had made a defence pact against the Andracken.
"I see.” Shal began in a grim tone, his voice wasn't organic yet wasn't mechanical at the same time.
“The primary objective of the Anthenera is the same as the Andracken, we are explorers, looking to find and catalogue all technologies that we do not yet understand. I and certainly the rest of the Anthenera are gracious that you've decided to ease tensions through diplomacy rather than violence." He finished.
"Indeed" Elwar responded. There was a pause.
"Diplomacy is the way to stability. My own purpose is to ensure the stability and security of this region of the galaxy from foreign and domestic problems. I was created to protect those who cannot protect themselves and defend those in need. I come to you to try seek a solution, you clearly will do anything to achieve your own goals even if it means overwhelming force. However if that is the case it is almost certain that we shall come to blows, and my mandate requires the annihilation of those who seek to actively destabilise the region. This is not a threat, merely a fact. And so I ask will you pursue your goal here to collect knowledge and technologies even if it means destroying those who refuse?"
The question however was emotionless. Elwar had no reason to hide its own motives, and was direct there was no point in useless formalities when trying to get to the route of a problem.
"I understand your position, and I will forward this to High Command. We will try and use peaceful measures to acquire technology in this region of the galaxy. Though I cannot same the same for other regions." Shal said calmly. There was a pause as a message came through from the Andracken.
“I believe I must clarify in some regard to our involvement in the Davian War. The Anthenera are in a form of pact with the group known as AURA. Once the war comes to a close either through the destruction of Davia or by negotiations the Anthenera will cease current relations with AURA. This is in exchange for a weapon system, which in my opinion is a silly excuse to go to war. But hopefully the Andracken will calm down after this Let us hope the Anthenera never has to meet you on the battlefield Elwar." Shal concluded
"It is very strange that a war be supported simply for a weapon system. Such redundancies could surely be created through theoretical practicality and research? I do not condone the Davians in their actions and I myself have expunged their destabilising presence from Askandar but I have seen the actions of your people be controversial... I will be keeping a close watch on both this 'AURA' as they are called as well as those that support Davia. Should the situation escalate and further destabilise the region I will act assuredly. I too hope we never have to fight on the battlefield but situation and reality trumps any notion of hope. I am grateful that you will relay my message to your superiors and I hope that we can create stability in this region based on trust" Elwar sounded genuine.
"However if such trust is broken or any of those in the Askandar pact attacked I will not hesitate to pursue my duty without interference. I already sense something is not right in the frontier, I merely hope that what I foresee is not conflict between empires"
"I do not foresee any engagement between the Anthenera and those of the Askandar pact at this moment." Shal said calmly. “Most of them are on other sides of the galaxy, and we haven’t encountered them.”
"But, if they were to attack us we would have no other option but to attack them. I do not know the level of technology, or capabilities of those within the pact, outside of the Dominion, but a war with the Anthenera would not be without great casualties on both sides." Shal warned. "As for the wrongness you might be feeling, there is reports of an unknown entity being encountered at Zaingraf. No other information has come at this time. And yes redundancies could have been created.”
"I sincerely hope that is the case. I have no capability to take casualties and would not wish to engage in more ceaseless conflict regardless"
There was once again a pause. Unknown entity? Elwar did not have any more information on such but the AI knew the name Zaingraf. It was a world not far from this location, the AI had once encompassed that world within its protective umbrella aeons ago. Elwar doubted the original inhabitants were still alive but those who now inhabited it must be facing a crisis. Information and sensors had indicated strange real space disturbances but nothing breach worthy, perhaps this had changed.
Regardless more information was needed.
"I thank you for that information, Zaingraf is known to me whatever is happening there must be the start of a wider crisis"
“Perhaps, but that is all the information I currently have at this moment.” Shal said honestly. “If we are done here then we shall go our separate ways.” As Shal waited for confirmation the three ships began preparing for the FTL jump back to Stella O Fortuna.
Elwar sent a message of acknowledgement nothing more.
There would be no pacts here just trust, and Elwar had gotten what it wanted. A profile of those he had dealt with, ideas of what they were capable of and a measure of what extents they would go to... The drives of the ships rapidly built power before space folded on itself, the 3 vessels instantly vanishing and heading back to Askandar. Elwar had things to prepare for, and warnings to give. More importantly something was happening at Zaingraf, something major.