Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 16:51:29 GMT
SVS Revenancer
Vita Shetani System
Day -4
The Battlecarrier/Harvester Revenancer approached the orbit of Vita Shetani. Accompanied by the rest of Task Force Ain-9/Xe and the Vita Shetani sloop Ophelia, returning home after the disturbing events at Zaingraf. Task Force Ain-9/Xe had drawn the assignment after Fleet Leader Naelle and Task Force Ain-4/Digam had been reassigned to deal with another potential dimensional incursion. Scuttlebutt in the Fleet was saying that the new incursion was from the Home Continuum. Fleet Leader Amren-L'Enra chuckled at that thought and then he looked at the Vita Shetani vessel in the main tactical tank and chuckled again. Does have that retro look I suppose... Needs the Jolly Roger though-Yarr! he thought as he looked over the lines of the ship that so resembled an old nautical sailing vessel. He knew the power provided by magic. There was a Chimeran contingent aboard Revenancer-but still he was not sure how well these vessels would fare against the "Zaingraf Shadows" if they attacked. He at least hoped they had something larger in their fleet-frigates? ships of the line?.
Ophelia's Captain Brockhall signaled, informing Amren-L'Enra that his ship would soon be moving on to the new Naval Station at Fenecia. "We plan to be holding exercises to develop tactical plans to deal with an attack by the Zaingraf Shadows, we would be both honored and grateful if your task force could accompany us and take part in the exercises, Fleet Leader." With a nod Amren-L'Enra said "Of course Captain. As soon as we drop off the Ministry of State contingent and security force so they can begin negotiations with your leadership and render assistance with domestic security."
Consul Dariel and his attaches and guards were signaled from the CIC, and gathered their paperwork and other diplomatic paraphernalia, moving to the port hangar deck where their shuttle awaited to take them to their meeting with the Vita Shetani head of state.
Shortly thereafter, a shuttle and two Night Talon fighters launched from Revenancer, and aligned themselves for atmospheric insertion. Behind them, TF Ain-9/Xe and the Ophelia started heading away from the planet, the Singers ships soon activating their phase drives and the Ophelia it's own FTL system.
VSS Ophelia
Slipspace
Day -4
"Now that's damned creepy." Captain Brockhall said as he stared out of the windows on his bridge. Beyond the currents of slipspace, he could see the faint transparent images of the Singers' ships, like ghost ships that had not yet materialized-or like a drunken sailor's hallucinations. "They don't use slipspace, so how the hell can we still see them-even partially?" Tymbal shrugged and said "I was talking with the ship's mage, and he said he suspects they somehow sail inside the planar boundaries between the myriad planes of reality. No idea how they manage that of course. Defies all I have read about planar magics. Or hell, maybe they really are ghosts." Brockhall snorted in annoyance. "Belay that crap! Well, we should arrive at Fenecia within a few hours. Different fleet then the one that we met at Zaingraf though. I hope the rumors I have heard are not true. Another incursion onto this plane? The Veil of Worlds seems tissue thin here-maybe that's why the Ashari picked this area as the site for our exile? he thought.
Turning to Tymbal he said "Those ships look a lot better in Freespace-other then their flagship. Something about that vessel is just bloody well unnatural. It's like looking at the Grim Reaper or something..."
"I know exactly what you mean Captain." Tymbal said with a slight shudder. The mages say it literally reeks of the Macabre. Like Death made manifest in a physical form." "Hah!" Brockhall laughed. "Mages are a superstitious lot." He then looked out to starboard and some the ghostly shape of Revenancer. The ship-particularly the glowing crystal atop her aft superstructure-seemed to almost call to him, like a siren singing to his heart...to his soul. And sailors are also a superstitious lot, whether they sail the Blue oceans or the Black. he thought as he turned his eyes away from the eerie apparition of a starship.
Office of the Foreign Ministry
Vita Shetani
Day -4
After landing, the Ministry of State's delegation boarded a series of the Vita Shetani's equivalent of limousines. They were a kind of hover vehicle that worked by some form of magical levitation. Laren, a Chimeran necromancer attached to the delegation spoke briefly to some of the Vita Shetani, asking them of the principles of enchantment used to make the vehicles. "Sorry, we actually do not know. The Guilds have their secrets." To which Laren just laughed. "Mages Guilds, the same on every world." The limousines moved through the streets of the capital city. Compared to some others he had seen it was not the largest by far, but still had an impressive population. Even to a greater degree then the Chimerans, the Vita Shetani had worked magic into literally every facet of their civilization. I would not be surprised if magic suffused their very bodies and life essence. Laren thought as he took in the rather pleasing sights of the capital city. The city was beautiful though, tall multicolored spires of what looked like stone of various sorts. Magically powered flying vehicles flitted about the city, weaving smoothly between the spires. The delegation was escorted into the building upon arrival and disembarkation. Consul Dariel had been assigned to the mission as the Ministry's representative, in the light of his success on other first contacts and diplomatic negotiations.
Dariel and the other delegates were led through the building and shown into a conference room, richly decorated. Waiting there were 2 Vita Shetani, a pair of canids in robes-a male in blue trimmed with gold, and a female in red trimmed with black and silver. A silver crown sat upon the head of the male, inset with alternating blue and silver gemstones, The female gestured with her hand for Dariel and his assistants toward the seats at one end of the short yet wide table. Dariel's guards took up station in conjunction with the Vita Shetani Royal Guardsmen.
"Please Consul, be seated. I am Zuri, Last of the Crystal Children and partner of our King, Samiret. I bid you welcome on behalf of myself, His Majesty, and the whole of the Vita Shetani peoples." Consul Dariel nodded briefly to King Samiret. "Majesty we are honored to be here. And perhaps it is fortuitous as well in the light of the Zaingraf Incursion." The King's face turned grim. "Perhaps indeed, Consul. I have read some of the information your people and Captain Brockhall have sent regarding the events there and they are indeed highly disturbing. I appreciate your Fleet Leader's decision to take part in our naval exercises and drills for the defense of our world against these 'Shadows'."
Zuri looked over to first her King and then Consul Dariel. "Majesty, Consul... Is there a chance of negotiation with these Shadows?" Samiret looked on with interest while Dariel shook his head in the negative. "From what we have seen I would have to say no. The so-called 'Zaingraf Shadows' are extradimensional in origin and nature, from a dimensional alignment we have not been able to identify. All indications so far are that either they are incapable of, or undesirous of communications. They are unabashedly hostile in the extreme. It is our opinion that they will need to be exterminated utterly, and more importantly that the gate to their dimensional alignment be closed. It would be desirable if Zaingraf could be saved but Blessed Laenas realizes that this may unfortunately not be possible."
"That would be a great tragedy." Zuri said softly, whereupon King Samiret simply said "War often is. Part of it's very nature. Unfortunately we have some other problems that are only indirectly related to the Shadows. News of their abilities and hostility have reached our population. In a society as magically inclined as our own controlling the spread of information is difficult if not impossible. All it takes is one mage casting a sending spell to inform his wife and the next thing you know it's all over the news. That is apparently what has happened. As a result, morale has been... rather deleteriously affected I must regrettably say. Already there have been some riots, and a spreading sense of impending doom. We recognize our comparative level of development compared to other polities in this region of Ancerious is somewhat... lacking. Frankly the conclusion seems to be if your fleet and Elwar had to withdraw from the field, our Royal Navy would stand no chance at all in battle should the Shadows decide to attack Vita Shetani-yet alone Fenecia or the other 3 worlds. You see Vita Shetani is by far the most populated and industrialized of our worlds. The others are basically colonies, though Fenecia is on the verge of becoming a major world in it's own right."
Samiret closed his eyes for a moment, opening them when Zuri gently rook his hand. "I am hoping the naval and military exercises will improve morale to some degree-at least to the point of giving back some hope to our people. Of course it would be for the best if the Shadows were defeated, even if that takes their annihilation. I am sorry Zuri, but the simple fact is that annihilation may likely be necessary in this case. We will remain open to negotiations, but if they do not even want to negotiate then..."
Zuri gently put her finger to Samiret's lips, and said. "I understand". Dariel watched this with interest. A brave decision in treating her monarch that way. I suspect they are "Partners" in more ways then one. he thought to himself as he noticed the two look at each other.
"I think we might be able to assist with morale-building, we can certainly assist in helping your security and police forces deal with any rioting or other civil disturbance. I must say that morale building is the most important. The Anais Unity unfortunately knows all too well what despair can do to a people or peoples." Dariel said with a kind of melancholy tone to his voice. "The Sector Minister is currently dealing with another diplomatic matter, but I am sure he and even Blessed Laenas will approve of granting assistance to your people, Majesty. I will send a request to Shimmering Veil to request immediate assistance. As we know, the Shadows will not be waiting."
Shimmering Veil
Spire of Enlightenment
Day -4
Laenas lay in a lounge chair by the pool in her Spire home, her multichromatic aura surrounding her. S(he) wore a light blue one-piece swimsuit, and watched with interest the mallard couple swimming in the pool, softly quacking to each other. S(he) could see out onto the balcony, and into the beautiful, almost psychedelic skies that gave the unusual world it's name. Despite rumors Shimmering Veil had not been constructed by Laenas, nor by the Twins or Makel'va. S(he) had found the habitable gas torus surrounding the L class infrared dwarf, and had immediately taken a liking to it. It did not take much longer for her to choose the system as her capital for the Ancerious Dimensional Expedition. A soft tone rang in the air, and a holoscreen materialized above and too the front of Laenas, bearing the image of Sector Minister Nelyrien.
"Blessed Laenas, forgive the interruption. Fleet Leader Amren-L'Enra and Consul Dariel have arrived in the Vita Shetani home system with Task Force Ain-9/Xe. They have met with the King of the Vita Shetani and I have received word from Consul Dariel regarding the status of negotiations. Their leadership has requested assistance in both domestic security and in morale building-apparently the news of the Zaingraf Incursion is causing a great deal of societal stress among their peoples. I believe we should assist them, Blessed Laenas. Considering the seriousness of the Incursion we dare not let another system fall and be assimilated or absorbed by the threat forces."
Laenas just looked on for a moment, thinking, then replied "Very well, Your analysis is quite accurate, Minister Nelyrien. Please inform Dariel and Amren-L'Enra that they are to render what assistance they can." Then looking at Nelyrien's facial expression s(he) said "Is their a problem, Minister?"
Nelyrien nodded and said "Security assistance will not be of any problem in delivering on. There is a contingent of military police on TF Ain-9/Xe. The Fleet Leader can deploy them to help the locals with security and domestic policing issues. Unfortunately morale building will be more of a problem. All such methods take time. And frankly Blessed Laenas I am not sure we have that time. The Shadows are not waiting, as the attacks on Askandar and the Inari Technocracy indicate. I know of no method-propaganda, motivational events, or anything else that will get us the results we want within an acceptable timeframe. I would not of course counsel the use of psychometric technology or psychochemicals. And there is of course the Xedi-48/Lan incursion we must deal with. Forgive me but I am not sure we can afford to spread diplomatic and psyops resources that thin, Blessed Laenas."
Laenas thought for a moment and then said "You are correct on that count, Minister. I do however have an idea. Thank you Minister. Send a reply to Dariel informing him that assistance will be forthcoming." Nelyrien bowed. "Hallowed Are the Anais'" he said and then signed off, Laenas after a few moments said "Get me Nyeth."
A split-second later, a bonfire of black flame appeared. Inside the flame was the blacklight outline of one of the Ascended-or an Aenyrre Argallenn, it was so hard for even her to tell in this case. The outline slowly shifted to a bright red, then to a brilliant green before going back to it's normal blacklight color. The figure's long "hair" and wings moved slightly as the colors continued their slow, languid shift. Though only a psychometric projection, Nyeth was still extremely impressive.
"Greetings, Blessed Laenas." Nyeth said in his multiresonant, unearthly beautiful voice-one much like Laenas' own and those of her parents-and especially her Linkparent. "And how may I be of assistance to you today?"
Laenas looked at Nyeth, said to be one of the original Sixty Four Million. "System status report, to start with."
"All systems are fully functional. I am fully operational and ready for immediate deployment. Fortunately the Eos Project does not need my immediate presence so I have some time available. Am I required?"
Nodding, Laenas spoke "Indeed you are. For a very special mission. Perhaps not what you have trained for, But I need you to go to the Vita Shetani system and... Increase the morale of the local population. It is to help them deal with the Zaingraf Incursion and side effects of such."
Nyeth's form seemed to ripple, and his color shifts momentarily increased in speed. "Indeed not exactly what I was prepared to hear, but I think I am up to it. Am I to assume non-lethal mode, full adaptive programming? And what time scale should I program for?"
"Affirmative on non-lethal and adaptive modes. For time scale figure on one month. Then you will be free to redeploy to the Eos Ruins if needed." Laenas said as Nyeth bowed to her. "As you command, Blessed Laenas."
The screen shut off. Laenas sighed and returned to her relaxation, looking at the ducks as they swam by her, one stopping briefly to gently preen her hair.
In the outer reaches of the Shimmering Veil system, the monstrously huge Nyeth and it's escorts-even the Scintillators dwarfed by the massive mobile station, activated their phase drives and slowly faded from view.
Nyeth
The Void Between Universes
Vita Shetani System
Day 0
Nyeth and it's escorts floated serenely in the spatial void existing between various dimensional alignments. They were in the region occupied in Ancerious by the Vita Shetani star system. Nyeth's essence-forever bound to the station named for him, communicated with an array of Sentience Cores each controlling the Adaptive Sensor Nodes that were necessary for his primary function. No organic life lived on Nyeth. Indeed, no corporeal life could live in Nyeth's Nth-dimensional interiors without being either disintegrated or driven utterly to the depths of gibbering madness.
All stations and nodes, Action Alert. Prepare for spatial interface. Once interface is achieved and stable I want psychometric and brane resonance scanning in preparation for Resonator activation. Non-Lethal mode, Adaptive protocols in effect. Objective is to increase the morale of the Vita Shetani peoples with regards to facing the Zaingraf incursion.
Parameters now being sent to Adaptive Sensor Nodes and Resonator Control Matrix. Activation on my command.
A lurid blue disk formed in the Vita Shetani System. In the shadow of the system's largest gas giant. The massive gas world would not impede the Resonator-Nyeth had more then enough processor power to compensate for the effect of the planet's gravity well on the d-brane alignments and resonances within the system. The disk rippled almost like water as Nyeth partially "surfaced", the clear metaphasic crystal pyramid of his central core pushing through into normal space. Within the crystal core could be seen three intertwined helixes of light. Blue, Green, and Red in color, they formed the portion of the Lorelei Resonator visible to human or most other eyes.
Small sparkles of light-the manifestation of the Adaptive Sensor Nodes, started whirling around the core. They scanned the very building blocks of reality for the information needed to fulfill Nyeth's instructions. Over the next few hours they built up a dimensional, mental, and spiritual map of the Vita Shetani people. They also mapped the world, requesting information from the data banks of TF Ain-9/Xe using a priority command code. Finally the Nodes collated all their data and then made their report of their readiness to Nyeth's Essence Core, Not exactly what I was expecting my orders to be... But my Duty is Obedience. And then he simply thought Initiate Activation Cycle. to his varied instrumentality.
The glow of the three spiral helixes grew slightly as they started to rotate, intertwined with each other in ways that would hurt a merely three-dimensional mind if stared at for too long. Nyeth thought to himself As Ermeriel would say, "Let the Symphony Begin!".
Vita Shetani System
Day -4
The Battlecarrier/Harvester Revenancer approached the orbit of Vita Shetani. Accompanied by the rest of Task Force Ain-9/Xe and the Vita Shetani sloop Ophelia, returning home after the disturbing events at Zaingraf. Task Force Ain-9/Xe had drawn the assignment after Fleet Leader Naelle and Task Force Ain-4/Digam had been reassigned to deal with another potential dimensional incursion. Scuttlebutt in the Fleet was saying that the new incursion was from the Home Continuum. Fleet Leader Amren-L'Enra chuckled at that thought and then he looked at the Vita Shetani vessel in the main tactical tank and chuckled again. Does have that retro look I suppose... Needs the Jolly Roger though-Yarr! he thought as he looked over the lines of the ship that so resembled an old nautical sailing vessel. He knew the power provided by magic. There was a Chimeran contingent aboard Revenancer-but still he was not sure how well these vessels would fare against the "Zaingraf Shadows" if they attacked. He at least hoped they had something larger in their fleet-frigates? ships of the line?.
Ophelia's Captain Brockhall signaled, informing Amren-L'Enra that his ship would soon be moving on to the new Naval Station at Fenecia. "We plan to be holding exercises to develop tactical plans to deal with an attack by the Zaingraf Shadows, we would be both honored and grateful if your task force could accompany us and take part in the exercises, Fleet Leader." With a nod Amren-L'Enra said "Of course Captain. As soon as we drop off the Ministry of State contingent and security force so they can begin negotiations with your leadership and render assistance with domestic security."
Consul Dariel and his attaches and guards were signaled from the CIC, and gathered their paperwork and other diplomatic paraphernalia, moving to the port hangar deck where their shuttle awaited to take them to their meeting with the Vita Shetani head of state.
Shortly thereafter, a shuttle and two Night Talon fighters launched from Revenancer, and aligned themselves for atmospheric insertion. Behind them, TF Ain-9/Xe and the Ophelia started heading away from the planet, the Singers ships soon activating their phase drives and the Ophelia it's own FTL system.
VSS Ophelia
Slipspace
Day -4
"Now that's damned creepy." Captain Brockhall said as he stared out of the windows on his bridge. Beyond the currents of slipspace, he could see the faint transparent images of the Singers' ships, like ghost ships that had not yet materialized-or like a drunken sailor's hallucinations. "They don't use slipspace, so how the hell can we still see them-even partially?" Tymbal shrugged and said "I was talking with the ship's mage, and he said he suspects they somehow sail inside the planar boundaries between the myriad planes of reality. No idea how they manage that of course. Defies all I have read about planar magics. Or hell, maybe they really are ghosts." Brockhall snorted in annoyance. "Belay that crap! Well, we should arrive at Fenecia within a few hours. Different fleet then the one that we met at Zaingraf though. I hope the rumors I have heard are not true. Another incursion onto this plane? The Veil of Worlds seems tissue thin here-maybe that's why the Ashari picked this area as the site for our exile? he thought.
Turning to Tymbal he said "Those ships look a lot better in Freespace-other then their flagship. Something about that vessel is just bloody well unnatural. It's like looking at the Grim Reaper or something..."
"I know exactly what you mean Captain." Tymbal said with a slight shudder. The mages say it literally reeks of the Macabre. Like Death made manifest in a physical form." "Hah!" Brockhall laughed. "Mages are a superstitious lot." He then looked out to starboard and some the ghostly shape of Revenancer. The ship-particularly the glowing crystal atop her aft superstructure-seemed to almost call to him, like a siren singing to his heart...to his soul. And sailors are also a superstitious lot, whether they sail the Blue oceans or the Black. he thought as he turned his eyes away from the eerie apparition of a starship.
Office of the Foreign Ministry
Vita Shetani
Day -4
After landing, the Ministry of State's delegation boarded a series of the Vita Shetani's equivalent of limousines. They were a kind of hover vehicle that worked by some form of magical levitation. Laren, a Chimeran necromancer attached to the delegation spoke briefly to some of the Vita Shetani, asking them of the principles of enchantment used to make the vehicles. "Sorry, we actually do not know. The Guilds have their secrets." To which Laren just laughed. "Mages Guilds, the same on every world." The limousines moved through the streets of the capital city. Compared to some others he had seen it was not the largest by far, but still had an impressive population. Even to a greater degree then the Chimerans, the Vita Shetani had worked magic into literally every facet of their civilization. I would not be surprised if magic suffused their very bodies and life essence. Laren thought as he took in the rather pleasing sights of the capital city. The city was beautiful though, tall multicolored spires of what looked like stone of various sorts. Magically powered flying vehicles flitted about the city, weaving smoothly between the spires. The delegation was escorted into the building upon arrival and disembarkation. Consul Dariel had been assigned to the mission as the Ministry's representative, in the light of his success on other first contacts and diplomatic negotiations.
Dariel and the other delegates were led through the building and shown into a conference room, richly decorated. Waiting there were 2 Vita Shetani, a pair of canids in robes-a male in blue trimmed with gold, and a female in red trimmed with black and silver. A silver crown sat upon the head of the male, inset with alternating blue and silver gemstones, The female gestured with her hand for Dariel and his assistants toward the seats at one end of the short yet wide table. Dariel's guards took up station in conjunction with the Vita Shetani Royal Guardsmen.
"Please Consul, be seated. I am Zuri, Last of the Crystal Children and partner of our King, Samiret. I bid you welcome on behalf of myself, His Majesty, and the whole of the Vita Shetani peoples." Consul Dariel nodded briefly to King Samiret. "Majesty we are honored to be here. And perhaps it is fortuitous as well in the light of the Zaingraf Incursion." The King's face turned grim. "Perhaps indeed, Consul. I have read some of the information your people and Captain Brockhall have sent regarding the events there and they are indeed highly disturbing. I appreciate your Fleet Leader's decision to take part in our naval exercises and drills for the defense of our world against these 'Shadows'."
Zuri looked over to first her King and then Consul Dariel. "Majesty, Consul... Is there a chance of negotiation with these Shadows?" Samiret looked on with interest while Dariel shook his head in the negative. "From what we have seen I would have to say no. The so-called 'Zaingraf Shadows' are extradimensional in origin and nature, from a dimensional alignment we have not been able to identify. All indications so far are that either they are incapable of, or undesirous of communications. They are unabashedly hostile in the extreme. It is our opinion that they will need to be exterminated utterly, and more importantly that the gate to their dimensional alignment be closed. It would be desirable if Zaingraf could be saved but Blessed Laenas realizes that this may unfortunately not be possible."
"That would be a great tragedy." Zuri said softly, whereupon King Samiret simply said "War often is. Part of it's very nature. Unfortunately we have some other problems that are only indirectly related to the Shadows. News of their abilities and hostility have reached our population. In a society as magically inclined as our own controlling the spread of information is difficult if not impossible. All it takes is one mage casting a sending spell to inform his wife and the next thing you know it's all over the news. That is apparently what has happened. As a result, morale has been... rather deleteriously affected I must regrettably say. Already there have been some riots, and a spreading sense of impending doom. We recognize our comparative level of development compared to other polities in this region of Ancerious is somewhat... lacking. Frankly the conclusion seems to be if your fleet and Elwar had to withdraw from the field, our Royal Navy would stand no chance at all in battle should the Shadows decide to attack Vita Shetani-yet alone Fenecia or the other 3 worlds. You see Vita Shetani is by far the most populated and industrialized of our worlds. The others are basically colonies, though Fenecia is on the verge of becoming a major world in it's own right."
Samiret closed his eyes for a moment, opening them when Zuri gently rook his hand. "I am hoping the naval and military exercises will improve morale to some degree-at least to the point of giving back some hope to our people. Of course it would be for the best if the Shadows were defeated, even if that takes their annihilation. I am sorry Zuri, but the simple fact is that annihilation may likely be necessary in this case. We will remain open to negotiations, but if they do not even want to negotiate then..."
Zuri gently put her finger to Samiret's lips, and said. "I understand". Dariel watched this with interest. A brave decision in treating her monarch that way. I suspect they are "Partners" in more ways then one. he thought to himself as he noticed the two look at each other.
"I think we might be able to assist with morale-building, we can certainly assist in helping your security and police forces deal with any rioting or other civil disturbance. I must say that morale building is the most important. The Anais Unity unfortunately knows all too well what despair can do to a people or peoples." Dariel said with a kind of melancholy tone to his voice. "The Sector Minister is currently dealing with another diplomatic matter, but I am sure he and even Blessed Laenas will approve of granting assistance to your people, Majesty. I will send a request to Shimmering Veil to request immediate assistance. As we know, the Shadows will not be waiting."
Shimmering Veil
Spire of Enlightenment
Day -4
Laenas lay in a lounge chair by the pool in her Spire home, her multichromatic aura surrounding her. S(he) wore a light blue one-piece swimsuit, and watched with interest the mallard couple swimming in the pool, softly quacking to each other. S(he) could see out onto the balcony, and into the beautiful, almost psychedelic skies that gave the unusual world it's name. Despite rumors Shimmering Veil had not been constructed by Laenas, nor by the Twins or Makel'va. S(he) had found the habitable gas torus surrounding the L class infrared dwarf, and had immediately taken a liking to it. It did not take much longer for her to choose the system as her capital for the Ancerious Dimensional Expedition. A soft tone rang in the air, and a holoscreen materialized above and too the front of Laenas, bearing the image of Sector Minister Nelyrien.
"Blessed Laenas, forgive the interruption. Fleet Leader Amren-L'Enra and Consul Dariel have arrived in the Vita Shetani home system with Task Force Ain-9/Xe. They have met with the King of the Vita Shetani and I have received word from Consul Dariel regarding the status of negotiations. Their leadership has requested assistance in both domestic security and in morale building-apparently the news of the Zaingraf Incursion is causing a great deal of societal stress among their peoples. I believe we should assist them, Blessed Laenas. Considering the seriousness of the Incursion we dare not let another system fall and be assimilated or absorbed by the threat forces."
Laenas just looked on for a moment, thinking, then replied "Very well, Your analysis is quite accurate, Minister Nelyrien. Please inform Dariel and Amren-L'Enra that they are to render what assistance they can." Then looking at Nelyrien's facial expression s(he) said "Is their a problem, Minister?"
Nelyrien nodded and said "Security assistance will not be of any problem in delivering on. There is a contingent of military police on TF Ain-9/Xe. The Fleet Leader can deploy them to help the locals with security and domestic policing issues. Unfortunately morale building will be more of a problem. All such methods take time. And frankly Blessed Laenas I am not sure we have that time. The Shadows are not waiting, as the attacks on Askandar and the Inari Technocracy indicate. I know of no method-propaganda, motivational events, or anything else that will get us the results we want within an acceptable timeframe. I would not of course counsel the use of psychometric technology or psychochemicals. And there is of course the Xedi-48/Lan incursion we must deal with. Forgive me but I am not sure we can afford to spread diplomatic and psyops resources that thin, Blessed Laenas."
Laenas thought for a moment and then said "You are correct on that count, Minister. I do however have an idea. Thank you Minister. Send a reply to Dariel informing him that assistance will be forthcoming." Nelyrien bowed. "Hallowed Are the Anais'" he said and then signed off, Laenas after a few moments said "Get me Nyeth."
A split-second later, a bonfire of black flame appeared. Inside the flame was the blacklight outline of one of the Ascended-or an Aenyrre Argallenn, it was so hard for even her to tell in this case. The outline slowly shifted to a bright red, then to a brilliant green before going back to it's normal blacklight color. The figure's long "hair" and wings moved slightly as the colors continued their slow, languid shift. Though only a psychometric projection, Nyeth was still extremely impressive.
"Greetings, Blessed Laenas." Nyeth said in his multiresonant, unearthly beautiful voice-one much like Laenas' own and those of her parents-and especially her Linkparent. "And how may I be of assistance to you today?"
Laenas looked at Nyeth, said to be one of the original Sixty Four Million. "System status report, to start with."
"All systems are fully functional. I am fully operational and ready for immediate deployment. Fortunately the Eos Project does not need my immediate presence so I have some time available. Am I required?"
Nodding, Laenas spoke "Indeed you are. For a very special mission. Perhaps not what you have trained for, But I need you to go to the Vita Shetani system and... Increase the morale of the local population. It is to help them deal with the Zaingraf Incursion and side effects of such."
Nyeth's form seemed to ripple, and his color shifts momentarily increased in speed. "Indeed not exactly what I was prepared to hear, but I think I am up to it. Am I to assume non-lethal mode, full adaptive programming? And what time scale should I program for?"
"Affirmative on non-lethal and adaptive modes. For time scale figure on one month. Then you will be free to redeploy to the Eos Ruins if needed." Laenas said as Nyeth bowed to her. "As you command, Blessed Laenas."
The screen shut off. Laenas sighed and returned to her relaxation, looking at the ducks as they swam by her, one stopping briefly to gently preen her hair.
In the outer reaches of the Shimmering Veil system, the monstrously huge Nyeth and it's escorts-even the Scintillators dwarfed by the massive mobile station, activated their phase drives and slowly faded from view.
Nyeth
The Void Between Universes
Vita Shetani System
Day 0
Nyeth and it's escorts floated serenely in the spatial void existing between various dimensional alignments. They were in the region occupied in Ancerious by the Vita Shetani star system. Nyeth's essence-forever bound to the station named for him, communicated with an array of Sentience Cores each controlling the Adaptive Sensor Nodes that were necessary for his primary function. No organic life lived on Nyeth. Indeed, no corporeal life could live in Nyeth's Nth-dimensional interiors without being either disintegrated or driven utterly to the depths of gibbering madness.
All stations and nodes, Action Alert. Prepare for spatial interface. Once interface is achieved and stable I want psychometric and brane resonance scanning in preparation for Resonator activation. Non-Lethal mode, Adaptive protocols in effect. Objective is to increase the morale of the Vita Shetani peoples with regards to facing the Zaingraf incursion.
Parameters now being sent to Adaptive Sensor Nodes and Resonator Control Matrix. Activation on my command.
A lurid blue disk formed in the Vita Shetani System. In the shadow of the system's largest gas giant. The massive gas world would not impede the Resonator-Nyeth had more then enough processor power to compensate for the effect of the planet's gravity well on the d-brane alignments and resonances within the system. The disk rippled almost like water as Nyeth partially "surfaced", the clear metaphasic crystal pyramid of his central core pushing through into normal space. Within the crystal core could be seen three intertwined helixes of light. Blue, Green, and Red in color, they formed the portion of the Lorelei Resonator visible to human or most other eyes.
Small sparkles of light-the manifestation of the Adaptive Sensor Nodes, started whirling around the core. They scanned the very building blocks of reality for the information needed to fulfill Nyeth's instructions. Over the next few hours they built up a dimensional, mental, and spiritual map of the Vita Shetani people. They also mapped the world, requesting information from the data banks of TF Ain-9/Xe using a priority command code. Finally the Nodes collated all their data and then made their report of their readiness to Nyeth's Essence Core, Not exactly what I was expecting my orders to be... But my Duty is Obedience. And then he simply thought Initiate Activation Cycle. to his varied instrumentality.
The glow of the three spiral helixes grew slightly as they started to rotate, intertwined with each other in ways that would hurt a merely three-dimensional mind if stared at for too long. Nyeth thought to himself As Ermeriel would say, "Let the Symphony Begin!".