Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 16:02:38 GMT
After the events that had been jokingly referred to as 'revolutions per minute' by the surviving soldiers, tensions were raised between all involved nations as the cavalcade of errors reached its conclusion.
So it came as a significant surprise when the free world’s contacted the Dirge with a meeting proposal. The dirge accepted within minutes of receiving a message and a Catharsis type diplomatic craft was dispatched. A simple affirmation of receival, and arrival was sent back to the free world's as the craft spooled its FTL drive
The Free Worlds arrived not long after this, a civilian vessel and a corvette dropping FTL and approaching. The system they'd met in was isolated and unclaimed, mid way between the two nations as could feasibly be managed with the chaos erupting in the galaxy at large. But, here they were.
The two vessels came onwards totally without fear, decelerating slowly to come to a stop not far from the Dirge left with a simple hail of 'hello.' Shortly after followed a full comm.
"Guess we ought to start by saying that we're grateful for what you did at Veshtal. Without you helping us, a lot more would have died and we likely would've been forced to fold. So... thank you."
"Acknowledged. ... We did what... we could..... We appreciate the... thanks given... and return it twofold..... The free worlds.... were the only other involved.... that operated without...... incident....."
The sleek spine coated craft decelerated but did not come to a stop; rather it set itself on a lazy intercept course with the free world’s envoy
"Thank you. Alright, we're moving to dock now. Hold on a moment."
The Free Worlds ship matched courses with the Dirge vessel, heading towards it at an easy controllable velocity before decelerating and approaching carefully. The transport came up alongside, though the Free Worlders were... well, they didn't know what to do next.
The Dirge craft slowed in tandem with the free world’s ships. Once both had matched velocities, and headings, there was silence. Many eyes emerged from the outer hull of the Dirge form, breaking the shape of the otherwise pristine hull. These 'eyes' aggressively scanned the free world’s craft for roughly a minute, before retreating beneath the exposed flesh. And still silence, though the crafts outer shape grew subtly in size, with several of the spines being pushed backwards and out. Finally after roughly ten minutes the craft began to move. A small transmission was sent to the free worlds,
"Stand by for docking...."
The craft reoriented itself, the rear facing the docking bay of the Free world’s vessel
"Alright, alright... c'mon, you tweaky bugger..."
The transport made its way over to the Dirge vessel, lining up the bay with the organic craft before it pushed forwards. The docking maneuver was inelegant and clunky, but for sure it got the job done. Shortly after a positive seal was established, a signal was sent to the Dirge letting them know everything was green and good to go.
Once the seal was locked and confirmation given, the hull split, and a door way formed where 10 seconds ago there was none. What was inside the Dirge ship almost appeared to be a copy of the free world’s craft, albeit with several differences. The interior stricture mimicked the free world's craft almost precisely, though the interior was stark white, as though the entire craft was sculpted from polished marble. Abstract images based on various cultures adorned the wall plating.
A single abyssal was stood in the middle of the Dirge's own docking bay, waiting patiently for its guests.
The Free Worlds 'delegation', if it could be called that, made their way into the Dirge vessel. There were diplomats in the group, aye, but there was also a few of the veterans of Veshtal among them, men and women that had fought alongside the Dirge. Notable among these was the young medic that the Dirge form had shielded, she'd come because she wanted to speak to, if not to the one that had saved her, to the ones that led it/
"Hello, um... Amber." the lead diplomat said, coming to a halt and nodding respectfully. "I am Gerald Sanders, diplomat for the Free Worlds, and this is Talia Johnson, a medic for the Militia."
"Hi," Talia said, waving lightly. "I was at Veshtal, alongside you guys."
The Abyssal turned its crested head towards Talia,
“Greetings Talia Johnson .... It is agreeable to meet with one that survived..... The engagement on Veshtal..... And likewise.... it is this one's pleasure to meet.... with Gerald Sanders..... This one feels.... much will be gained on this day..... "
"Likewise, sir." Sanders nodded. Talia for her part stuck her hands in the pockets of her uniform trousers, looking somewhat awkward as though she wanted to say something, but didn't quite know what to say. Sander stepped in again. "If you possess an area more suited to diplomacy meetings sir, might we go there?" he politely inquired.
“Naturally”….. Amber responded, “Please… This one… will lead….”
Amber turned towards the wall furthest from the replicated docking bay, and pressed its hand into the polished surface. The wall ripples, before a crack formed along it, and spread revealing an amorphous fluid that had the texture of the marbled stone the docking bay was made from. The fluid parted as the party travelled through it. From an undefined mass of pulp, formed walls, floors and ceilings. The layout of the hall way was not unlike that of the free world’s ship, though it was adorned with embellishments based on other races’ work. The multitude of designs and aesthetics came together into something both familiar and wholly alien at the same time.
"How have they replicated the internals of our vessel so well?" Sanders wondered aloud, running a hand along the wall but not quote touching it. The diplomatic party was confused, slightly repulsed and fascinated by all of this, and they followed along after Amber careful not to disturb anything that it probably wasn't wise to disturb. Which was a lot.
They reached the end of the hallway, before the flat surfaced wall formed a Crack, and split into 100 fragments, and slid into the wall. Within the room Amber lead them to, was clearly a room designed for diplomacy. A central table was surrounded with chairs, each a slightly different height to allow each team member of the free world’s to sit at the dame eye level with amber, who instead of a chair had a small inlet at the head of the table where it floated.
The room itself was a far departure to the hallway previously explored. The table and chairs floated above the floor, and we're comprised of the same marble - like material as the rest of the ship. The walls however, were covered in a myriad of exotic and alien plant life. Multicolored flowers and trees coated the room in pleasant colors and scents. From the ceiling hung a luminescent crystalline structure that looked as though it belonged in an abstract art museum.
Amber guided the group into their respective seats, before taking its place at the head of the table
The Free Worlders seated themselves around the table, looking about the room and at how even the seats were to Amber. It was an interesting experience for the delegation to be in a room like this on a ship like they were, and one of the Veshtal veterans was actually holding one of the flowers delicately in his hand, looking at it with wonder.
"So," Sanders said, meshing his hands. "Now that we are here, I suppose that we ought to get to brass tacks. Though I'm sure it might have been mentioned earlier, I'd like to begin with an official statement of gratitude from our government to yours for your help at Veshtal. Second, and more important to this meeting, would be an offer of full diplomatic contact between our nations. Maybe more."
"Acknowledged... gratitude is received. . And reciprocated... the actions of the free worlds on Veshtal were ... more than agreeable. ... Among all assembled, it was your people who stood as the most reliable... and worthy of trust without hesitation..... Your offer... likewise... is accepted without hesitation.... following this meeting, this one may provide information to our diplomatic hub.... should Sanders find it favorable....."
Amber turned its head to the veteran engaging himself with the nature of the room,
"Apologies.. For this one's lack of manners.... may this one offer food, or drink to our.... esteemed guests..."
"I do indeed, sir. That's a better start than any of us were truly hoping for, and it'll make things much easier for us all going forward." Sanders nodded.
The veteran, a tank driver, looked up suddenly from the flower. He blinked a bit, processing what'd been said to him for a moment as he'd been so engrossed in the flower.
"Uh... yes, actually." he said, thinking for another moment or two. "Do you have coffee, or something like?"
"Acknowledged. .. This one is more than capable of producing.... coffee....."
In front of the tank driver, a mug began to rise from the table. The Marbella patterns of the table seemed to flow into the mug as it was being created. Once it was formed, it settled with a soft, delicate clink. What was once a mug if marble was now one of intricately faceted crystalline glass. It filled from the bottom up with a steaming, deep amber liquid. It smelled bitter, and nutty, and slightly of alcohol.
Other Glassworks began to rise from the table in front of each assembled member, and between them pitchers of varied multicolored drinks were formed.
"This one hopes. ... that this is ... satisfactory to ... your needs... and wants..."
"They should be," Sanders assured, reaching for a mug and sipping from it. The tank driver got his and sipped it, considering the taste before he nodded and began to sip from it some more, evidently happy with it. Soon enough the Free Worlds veterans were in high spirits, while Ambassador Sanders tried to stay sober and level-headed as the soldiers still somewhat were.
"If I may inquire," Sander said, "Is there anything your people would like to know about the Free Worlds?"
As glasses were placed onto the table, they were filled with whatever drink was originally held within them. As the diplomats reached to try the other drinks, their glasses emptied themselves to properly receive the new fluid. Amber ' s jet black eyes flickered with a hint of what could be easily interpreted as a mixture of amusement, and joy, as it watched the procession gradually become more inebriated, and unhinged, the diplomatic meeting slowly becoming a celebration of actions past.
"That is a ... difficult question.... we are.. a curious race... it would be.... inappropriate to. Pry... at this moment... this one, would be grateful... to listen
.. to anything. Sander would be willing.. to...share..."
Amber paused, looking back towards the group before returning its gaze to Sander,
"The favor.... will be returned... if there is.. Anything you wish.. To know. Of us..."
"Well, we're... not exactly as united as you may be used to seeing," Sanders admitted. "Loyalties between different planets can be a bit strained every now and again, but for the most part the Free Worlds hold together. It's like living with siblings, if you're familiar with that."
"This one is familiar... with the concept. ... However that is an experience... remembered only by our individual. ... Components...."
As the soldiers became more inebriated, the plant life, took on a life of its own. The Flora became Fauna, and occupied the procession as the two diplomats spoke
"That's understandable." Sanders said. "Is there anything else you wish to know about us right now?"
"There is... however... it is this one’s' must humble opinion.... that such.. In depth discussion ... be returned to at a later date...."
The form gestured its head to one of the soldiers that had begun to attempt to 'court' one of the Dirge forms that had joined the party,
"It would seem that your people.... have enjoyed the offerings presented..... As a gift, and token of good will... this one would be more than happy to provide you... and your crew a similar assortment of.... . Beverages... for your journey hone.... if you wish....”
"That'd be vastly appreciated, I'm sure." Sanders said, looking at the veteran and the Dirge form with a smile. "Thank you kindly for your time, sir."
"Excellent...." Amber turned its head towards the stumbling veterans,
"This one will.... escort you... and your crew back to your ship...... and the work with your crew to... load your gifts...... "
The various forms, Except Amber, adjusted their bodies to that of a more human shape, and used their bodies to prop up the veterans, each in their own various states of stupor, and proceeded back down the hall way. The hallway mostly looked the same, with the exception that the floor was now made of a softer material, should any of the procession stumble and fall, they would not be injured.
Amber looked back towards Sanders, and offered a thick tendril,
"Shall ... we?"
"Indeed we shall," he said, and extended a hand. The veterans made their way along more or less in a straight line (In all honesty a lot less,) and a few had had so much that the modification to the floor was a very welcome thing indeed. It of course could've been worse.
At least they all managed to hold the liquor down.
So it came as a significant surprise when the free world’s contacted the Dirge with a meeting proposal. The dirge accepted within minutes of receiving a message and a Catharsis type diplomatic craft was dispatched. A simple affirmation of receival, and arrival was sent back to the free world's as the craft spooled its FTL drive
The Free Worlds arrived not long after this, a civilian vessel and a corvette dropping FTL and approaching. The system they'd met in was isolated and unclaimed, mid way between the two nations as could feasibly be managed with the chaos erupting in the galaxy at large. But, here they were.
The two vessels came onwards totally without fear, decelerating slowly to come to a stop not far from the Dirge left with a simple hail of 'hello.' Shortly after followed a full comm.
"Guess we ought to start by saying that we're grateful for what you did at Veshtal. Without you helping us, a lot more would have died and we likely would've been forced to fold. So... thank you."
"Acknowledged. ... We did what... we could..... We appreciate the... thanks given... and return it twofold..... The free worlds.... were the only other involved.... that operated without...... incident....."
The sleek spine coated craft decelerated but did not come to a stop; rather it set itself on a lazy intercept course with the free world’s envoy
"Thank you. Alright, we're moving to dock now. Hold on a moment."
The Free Worlds ship matched courses with the Dirge vessel, heading towards it at an easy controllable velocity before decelerating and approaching carefully. The transport came up alongside, though the Free Worlders were... well, they didn't know what to do next.
The Dirge craft slowed in tandem with the free world’s ships. Once both had matched velocities, and headings, there was silence. Many eyes emerged from the outer hull of the Dirge form, breaking the shape of the otherwise pristine hull. These 'eyes' aggressively scanned the free world’s craft for roughly a minute, before retreating beneath the exposed flesh. And still silence, though the crafts outer shape grew subtly in size, with several of the spines being pushed backwards and out. Finally after roughly ten minutes the craft began to move. A small transmission was sent to the free worlds,
"Stand by for docking...."
The craft reoriented itself, the rear facing the docking bay of the Free world’s vessel
"Alright, alright... c'mon, you tweaky bugger..."
The transport made its way over to the Dirge vessel, lining up the bay with the organic craft before it pushed forwards. The docking maneuver was inelegant and clunky, but for sure it got the job done. Shortly after a positive seal was established, a signal was sent to the Dirge letting them know everything was green and good to go.
Once the seal was locked and confirmation given, the hull split, and a door way formed where 10 seconds ago there was none. What was inside the Dirge ship almost appeared to be a copy of the free world’s craft, albeit with several differences. The interior stricture mimicked the free world's craft almost precisely, though the interior was stark white, as though the entire craft was sculpted from polished marble. Abstract images based on various cultures adorned the wall plating.
A single abyssal was stood in the middle of the Dirge's own docking bay, waiting patiently for its guests.
The Free Worlds 'delegation', if it could be called that, made their way into the Dirge vessel. There were diplomats in the group, aye, but there was also a few of the veterans of Veshtal among them, men and women that had fought alongside the Dirge. Notable among these was the young medic that the Dirge form had shielded, she'd come because she wanted to speak to, if not to the one that had saved her, to the ones that led it/
"Hello, um... Amber." the lead diplomat said, coming to a halt and nodding respectfully. "I am Gerald Sanders, diplomat for the Free Worlds, and this is Talia Johnson, a medic for the Militia."
"Hi," Talia said, waving lightly. "I was at Veshtal, alongside you guys."
The Abyssal turned its crested head towards Talia,
“Greetings Talia Johnson .... It is agreeable to meet with one that survived..... The engagement on Veshtal..... And likewise.... it is this one's pleasure to meet.... with Gerald Sanders..... This one feels.... much will be gained on this day..... "
"Likewise, sir." Sanders nodded. Talia for her part stuck her hands in the pockets of her uniform trousers, looking somewhat awkward as though she wanted to say something, but didn't quite know what to say. Sander stepped in again. "If you possess an area more suited to diplomacy meetings sir, might we go there?" he politely inquired.
“Naturally”….. Amber responded, “Please… This one… will lead….”
Amber turned towards the wall furthest from the replicated docking bay, and pressed its hand into the polished surface. The wall ripples, before a crack formed along it, and spread revealing an amorphous fluid that had the texture of the marbled stone the docking bay was made from. The fluid parted as the party travelled through it. From an undefined mass of pulp, formed walls, floors and ceilings. The layout of the hall way was not unlike that of the free world’s ship, though it was adorned with embellishments based on other races’ work. The multitude of designs and aesthetics came together into something both familiar and wholly alien at the same time.
"How have they replicated the internals of our vessel so well?" Sanders wondered aloud, running a hand along the wall but not quote touching it. The diplomatic party was confused, slightly repulsed and fascinated by all of this, and they followed along after Amber careful not to disturb anything that it probably wasn't wise to disturb. Which was a lot.
They reached the end of the hallway, before the flat surfaced wall formed a Crack, and split into 100 fragments, and slid into the wall. Within the room Amber lead them to, was clearly a room designed for diplomacy. A central table was surrounded with chairs, each a slightly different height to allow each team member of the free world’s to sit at the dame eye level with amber, who instead of a chair had a small inlet at the head of the table where it floated.
The room itself was a far departure to the hallway previously explored. The table and chairs floated above the floor, and we're comprised of the same marble - like material as the rest of the ship. The walls however, were covered in a myriad of exotic and alien plant life. Multicolored flowers and trees coated the room in pleasant colors and scents. From the ceiling hung a luminescent crystalline structure that looked as though it belonged in an abstract art museum.
Amber guided the group into their respective seats, before taking its place at the head of the table
The Free Worlders seated themselves around the table, looking about the room and at how even the seats were to Amber. It was an interesting experience for the delegation to be in a room like this on a ship like they were, and one of the Veshtal veterans was actually holding one of the flowers delicately in his hand, looking at it with wonder.
"So," Sanders said, meshing his hands. "Now that we are here, I suppose that we ought to get to brass tacks. Though I'm sure it might have been mentioned earlier, I'd like to begin with an official statement of gratitude from our government to yours for your help at Veshtal. Second, and more important to this meeting, would be an offer of full diplomatic contact between our nations. Maybe more."
"Acknowledged... gratitude is received. . And reciprocated... the actions of the free worlds on Veshtal were ... more than agreeable. ... Among all assembled, it was your people who stood as the most reliable... and worthy of trust without hesitation..... Your offer... likewise... is accepted without hesitation.... following this meeting, this one may provide information to our diplomatic hub.... should Sanders find it favorable....."
Amber turned its head to the veteran engaging himself with the nature of the room,
"Apologies.. For this one's lack of manners.... may this one offer food, or drink to our.... esteemed guests..."
"I do indeed, sir. That's a better start than any of us were truly hoping for, and it'll make things much easier for us all going forward." Sanders nodded.
The veteran, a tank driver, looked up suddenly from the flower. He blinked a bit, processing what'd been said to him for a moment as he'd been so engrossed in the flower.
"Uh... yes, actually." he said, thinking for another moment or two. "Do you have coffee, or something like?"
"Acknowledged. .. This one is more than capable of producing.... coffee....."
In front of the tank driver, a mug began to rise from the table. The Marbella patterns of the table seemed to flow into the mug as it was being created. Once it was formed, it settled with a soft, delicate clink. What was once a mug if marble was now one of intricately faceted crystalline glass. It filled from the bottom up with a steaming, deep amber liquid. It smelled bitter, and nutty, and slightly of alcohol.
Other Glassworks began to rise from the table in front of each assembled member, and between them pitchers of varied multicolored drinks were formed.
"This one hopes. ... that this is ... satisfactory to ... your needs... and wants..."
"They should be," Sanders assured, reaching for a mug and sipping from it. The tank driver got his and sipped it, considering the taste before he nodded and began to sip from it some more, evidently happy with it. Soon enough the Free Worlds veterans were in high spirits, while Ambassador Sanders tried to stay sober and level-headed as the soldiers still somewhat were.
"If I may inquire," Sander said, "Is there anything your people would like to know about the Free Worlds?"
As glasses were placed onto the table, they were filled with whatever drink was originally held within them. As the diplomats reached to try the other drinks, their glasses emptied themselves to properly receive the new fluid. Amber ' s jet black eyes flickered with a hint of what could be easily interpreted as a mixture of amusement, and joy, as it watched the procession gradually become more inebriated, and unhinged, the diplomatic meeting slowly becoming a celebration of actions past.
"That is a ... difficult question.... we are.. a curious race... it would be.... inappropriate to. Pry... at this moment... this one, would be grateful... to listen
.. to anything. Sander would be willing.. to...share..."
Amber paused, looking back towards the group before returning its gaze to Sander,
"The favor.... will be returned... if there is.. Anything you wish.. To know. Of us..."
"Well, we're... not exactly as united as you may be used to seeing," Sanders admitted. "Loyalties between different planets can be a bit strained every now and again, but for the most part the Free Worlds hold together. It's like living with siblings, if you're familiar with that."
"This one is familiar... with the concept. ... However that is an experience... remembered only by our individual. ... Components...."
As the soldiers became more inebriated, the plant life, took on a life of its own. The Flora became Fauna, and occupied the procession as the two diplomats spoke
"That's understandable." Sanders said. "Is there anything else you wish to know about us right now?"
"There is... however... it is this one’s' must humble opinion.... that such.. In depth discussion ... be returned to at a later date...."
The form gestured its head to one of the soldiers that had begun to attempt to 'court' one of the Dirge forms that had joined the party,
"It would seem that your people.... have enjoyed the offerings presented..... As a gift, and token of good will... this one would be more than happy to provide you... and your crew a similar assortment of.... . Beverages... for your journey hone.... if you wish....”
"That'd be vastly appreciated, I'm sure." Sanders said, looking at the veteran and the Dirge form with a smile. "Thank you kindly for your time, sir."
"Excellent...." Amber turned its head towards the stumbling veterans,
"This one will.... escort you... and your crew back to your ship...... and the work with your crew to... load your gifts...... "
The various forms, Except Amber, adjusted their bodies to that of a more human shape, and used their bodies to prop up the veterans, each in their own various states of stupor, and proceeded back down the hall way. The hallway mostly looked the same, with the exception that the floor was now made of a softer material, should any of the procession stumble and fall, they would not be injured.
Amber looked back towards Sanders, and offered a thick tendril,
"Shall ... we?"
"Indeed we shall," he said, and extended a hand. The veterans made their way along more or less in a straight line (In all honesty a lot less,) and a few had had so much that the modification to the floor was a very welcome thing indeed. It of course could've been worse.
At least they all managed to hold the liquor down.