Post by AngelWIings on Aug 28, 2021 1:32:54 GMT
The Holy Kingdom of Prador nested in a nebula, and largely isolated from the galaxy at large. Pradoria, and it's shattered moon of Axis at the center of the Knightly Kingdom. The only other installations in the system being a mix of asteroid bases along the Etro's Embrace field, Watchpoint Zeta just outside of the Asteroid belt serving as the systems outermost staging point, and defensive base. The only installation further out than Watchpoint Zeta, was Watchpoint Galvus. A orbital scanning system over the gas giant Kain at the very edge of the system. It was the systems early warning post, and on it's strange orbit it had 'overview' of the rest of the system.
While Prador was not prepared as some nations in the defense of their system they were aware of the larger galaxy, and had made their preparations for invasion. Their two Watchpoint outposts, along with some minimal defenses orbiting Pradoria. A mix of Cruisers, and Battle-cruisers patrolled around the system not just for invasion forces, but smugglers, and civilians in the restricted parts of the system, while the two Watchpoints made very active scans constantly around the system to try and pinpoint any foreign entities.
Prador had yet to even establish a ANCnet link, only very recently with the Crowing of the Fairvae King Eloden has Prador been remotely interested in the greater events of the Ancerious Galaxy. In-fact the last group the Crimison Murifrus, a group of Murifri dead-set on entering the galaxy and defending Prador by a mix of conquest, and diplomacy was largely destroyed, with their leader exiled from Pradorian space.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Kingdom of Prador was, however, about to receive uninvited guests. On a seemingly uneventful day Watchpoint Galvus detected the arrival of unknown FTL activity in several neighbouring systems. The pattern seemed indicative of a surveying mission; a surveying mission that was closing in on Pradorian territory itself.
Captain Blakely was far from expecting the encounter with this new power when the Frightening Eclipse made contact with the first Pradorian ships. The captain’s curiosity and calm-mindedness, however, prevailed over some of his aid’s first calls for a more aggressive reaction. As Blakely’s vessel, along with his two accompanying frigates, arrived in Prador’s home system, they were quick to make their intentions known by keeping weapons and countermeasure systems inactive.
“Greetings.” Came Blakely’s transmission, sent out initially in Galactic Common, “To all who receive this. This is Captain Willard Blakely of the Associated States Space Authority acting on Mandate 23 of the Assembly Charter of 460. We come on a mission of peace and diplomacy, our intentions are not of violence but of cooperation… This message will repeat until we receive a response or perceive desire for our departure.”
The message continued its transmission without halt. In the meantime, the ASN ships did little in the way of movement. They neither began approaching Prador at sunlight nor began to leave, they merely sat in deep-space, watching the system through computer monitors as they awaited a reaction.
AngelWiings — 06/07/2021
It took a few minutes before they finally received a return signal. Between them needing to find a translator, and the time to relay a message. Galactic Standard being spoken by a precious few among Prador.
"We hear you Captain Willard. Maintain your current position a escort will bring you into Pradorian space for a proper face to face meeting. Welcome to the Holy Kingdom of Prador Outlanders, please stand by."
It was a soft voice, obviously male, but slightly, small? It would take long for a detachment of ships to exit from Watchpoint Zeta. Two Dreadnoughts, and four Battlecruisers. Each equipped with substantial front facing weaponry, and a combination of Dorsal, side, and drop down hangers. Prador having a fondness of fightercraft, and a even bigger one for shows of force. The group of ships would enter slipspace. Blinking out into FTL, and but a moment later coming back out not all too far from the ASN ships. A transmission pinged again to them, this time coming directly from one of the two Dreadnoughts.
"Follow us at Sublight Outlanders. We shall have our talks of diplomacy."
Any sort of scans would make it quite clear what Prador was doing currently. Many of it's ships clustering around the singular habitable 'super-earth' planet, while the rest seemed to be taking defensive positions across the systems to cut off, and swarm them if they tried anything, but none were taking aggressive action. While the Pradorian ships did not 'power down' there own magical based ship weaponry, they also were not actively aiming, or tracking the ASN vessels.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Captain was intrigued by the specifications and speculations coming in on the Pradorian ships, particularly on their focus on fighter-usage; they were quite similar to the ASN in this way. Sending through his acknowledgements, the Captain’s flotilla quickly began to trail their escorts as they made their way to Prador.
To a botanist and biologist like Captain Blakely, the place seemed like a veritable treasure trove for investigation and curation. Though he was sure his Teliran paymasters would not be so similarly interested in his curiosity. As the squadron began to close in on the planet, Blakely’s other ships broke off at a safe distance from the planet; leaving Blakely’s ship to approach it alone to render as little a threat as possible.
“Please send on to us your landing coordinates; we’ll follow you in.” The Captain promptly pinged out to his escorts before returning to his chair to buckle down for landing procedures.
AngelWiings
As they neared Pradoria the larger escorts ships began to obviously begin going into orbit, while two wings of fighters came out of the lead Dreadnoughts drop hanger. they were all identical save for a single red mark for the Squadron leader. The two wings began to lead them in, while the dreadnought pinged back. "Follow by visual, our Knights in Super Heavy Armor will show you the rest of the way."
And so they did. Going down into the planet, which even by orbit was obvious it had neglected to do much industrialization. By the time Prador had ever got into it's industrial revolution it had already entered space, and thus by the time demand got so high, most of the factories had been built off of the homeworld. They came down at a slight angle towards the Capital, the Central Kingdom of Prador. A massive white city built like a giant circle atop a stone plateau. On all sides of it there was a sheer drop of almost 20 miles, and the rest of the adjacent plateaus in the region at least 40 miles away from the central one the Plateau was built onto. A singular bridge held up by a combination of supports, and magical pylons went a little over 40 miles connecting to another plateau, and then the road going into the distant countryside filled by farms, and forests. The interior of the city itself almost looked like that out of a story book. It was built up in layers getting higher with each section of the city, great blue windows, stone towers stretching into the sky, and large swathes of the city still covered by trees. Out of the 6 layers of the city they seemed to be on a path towards the 5th One of the fighters pinging them as they got closer. "On our trajectory, landing bay marked by the orange trees." Without much other word, one of the two Squadrons broke off to circle around while the first went in for a landing. Going over a large group of autumn colored trees, than right into them. Disappearing from sight as the trees rippled like water for a brief moment.
Indeed it was only an illusion kept powered by the cities connection to the galaxies leylines. Underneath was a large landing area that could fit up to a 300 meter ship with a really good pilot. The 12 ships that made up one squadron on landing changed configurations. The fighters turning into bipedal mechas, and landing on foot. Making a circle to form around the captains ship once it landed.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Willard was rather enjoying the descent of his frigate down towards the planetary surface below. The pastoral simplicity both on the readouts and visual-feeds quickly made it abundant to the Captain of the planet’s restrictive levels of industrial advancement; something he would have to note for his employers. He himself, however, enjoyed the untouched nature of the planet, it was like an untouched tomb for an archeologist or a fresh ore vein for a miner.
As the frigate closed in on the city, however, it rapidly became clear that the planet was not built with infrastructure to host a capital ship such as his. Stabilizing the ship into position, Blakely unbuckled himself and organised a hastily cobbled-together retinue for a shuttle mission; ordering the frigate to return to the orbit until contacted by him again.
With that, Blakely’s shuttle would come roaring down from its mothership almost half an hour after witnessing the fighters make their landing. Through the trees the ASN made its landing, perching itself upon the hangar surface with an echoing clunk; followed by the emergence of its offloading ramp and then the aliens themselves. Like radioactive technicians, a dozen figures in baggy, protective suits stepped from the ship and onto Pradorian ground. It was apparent that they were wearing such clothing in case of contagions and to protect themselves and potentially their hosts from such dangers.
Blakely was not wearing such clothing. With a beaming smile, the Captain strutted towards the awaiting hosts for his mission.
“Don’t worry, I've been checked for illnesses; I'll be likewise checked over once I depart.” He assured with a smile before giving a graceful bow to his hosts, his colonial explorer accoutrements ruffling with his movements, “Captain-Charter Willard Blakely of the Kalethian Republic and the Associated States of Natar, at your mercy. It is a pleasure to meet your people.”
AngelWiings
One of the star-fighters turned to mechas turned to face him. The vehicle a good 20 feet tall in this configuration. "Down the hall please." Came it's mechanical voice, modulated from the speaker. At the doorway Willard would be greeted by two figures that looked cast out of a story book once again. Full-Plate armor with a more modern alloy, the helmet spreading a bit at the sides, and where the visor would be was a piece of glass that was glowing golden. The armor itself was silver in coloration with a shin to it, this model having gold plating running along the larger pieces to show some authority. The most striking of these two figures though was two details in particular. Their giant feathered wings for one, each wing outstretched easily three times their body height, along with a crown like halo glowing a golden light above their heads. While it was hard to tell especially from a distance closer up with a keen eye one could tell one was female one was male. The only indications being slightly thinner, and having a more pronounced hip. The differences in their armor however was so minuscule it was not an easy thing to tell. Each wielded what looked like a large metal pole a few feet taller than the two. This was not nearly as hard to tell as the two's gender. It had several small indents on the tip, and bunt of the pole presumably to project some sort of energy for a weapon. Along with several subtle seems to allow it to change into something else. The male of the two spoke. "Follow us please." His voice wasn't modulated but seemed to have an echoing to it. Like it was being spoken both in front, and behind him at the same time. The two guards both turned standing apart far enough to not touch their wings together as they moved, and began marching forward. The hall was made of some sort of intricate stone not too unlike marble.
It went on for a few hundred feet with a few pathways diverging, until they came through a open doorway into the city proper. The place was utterly massive. Much more impressive on foot. A singular pathway lead to the center of the city inclining at several points, and flanking both sides of said roadway was thousands of knights. Their armor identical to the two escorting him save for two keen differences. The visors glowed blue, they had no gold plating, and while not a difference in the armor they lacked the wings of his escorts. Looking at the buildings they were passing they seemed to have a utter lack of doors, passing by the occasional trees between the buildings, and along the roads. It could also be noted they had an extreme lack of cars as well. That combined with the lack of streetlamps, or obvious electrical wiring take away the tech Prador had and it would look straight for a medieval fantasy book on the ANCnet. The female of the two guards spoke as they headed up towards the center of the city. A giant towering palace like castle, that stretched into the sky. Getting a
closer look at it, it had various well hidden Anti-Air defenses. Masked by it's very design.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Blakely nodded as he followed the ground escort into the depths of the city, saying very little except to take glances at datapads offered to him by his party from time to time. The Captain took little interest in urban structures and wasn’t much of an architect, though it didn’t take one to notice the history of his surroundings. Eventually the captain would calmly inquire over the guard’s intermingling,
“Have you been expecting us?”
AngelWiings
"Our early warning post saw some FTL activity in nearby systems. We prepared for both war, and peace and lied in wait for your arrival." The female guard replied. It was a good thirty minute walk to the palace at the center of the city. It was round like the city, with four large 'walls' with a very vertical nature connecting four towers, to one singular giant one. Surrounding this structure was both a wall with ramparts, and a moat. The moat was sheer stone, and seemed to go down forever. The bottom of it not in sight. There was a singular bridge of some sort of translucent purple energy connecting their side, with the singular gatehouse. The two guards lead them inside, and down a singular hall. By design the interior was not labeled, nor easy to follow. After a countless amount of turns down different hallways until they reached two large wooden doors. The two angelic guards pushed the doors inwards, revealing it to be not only a courtyard, but a meeting room. The ground was a brilliant green with a multitude of different colored flowers, dead in the center was a round stone table with over a dozen chairs around. Various trees, flowers, and two small ponds with a 'river' running between them. Looking out of the sky it was obviously not Pradoria's view of the stars, but rather a image of brilliant purples, and blues of a sky covered in a nebulae. Breaking through the edges of a treeline. The faint shimmering of the ceiling showing ever so subtly that it was not the real outside view. The two guards stepped inside, and would close the doors behind the two. The wooden doors seeming to meld, and disappear into the wall. It looked like they were in some sort of deep forest grove, the walls that of a dense forest. In truth it was little more than illusions placed in the room. The two guards approached the table but stood far away enough to not be intrusive.
A voice spoke out though. It was soft, yet powerful. Holding a great deal of confidence in it. Standing at the center of the table was the tiniest of men. A 4 inch tall fairvae man, with soft moth wings at his back, and long drooping ears as long as his head. His eyes were two beady magenta bulbs, and he wore tiny little ornate full-plate, and a golden crown that looked like intertwined twigs. He had no helmet on currently, but he was wielding a sword. It was far larger than his body, being almost 10 inches long, but he had no issue holding it. It didn't take a genius to figure out it was simple because of his size, that he could lift things above his body weight much like an ant.
"Come, come! Take a seat! Do you want any food, drinks? Let me know! It has been a long, long time since Prador has had... Civilized visitors, yes?"
Bluesnailok | ASN
As the troupe strolled before the castle, a few of the entourage stopped and looked up at the place. Some of the party lifted devices to take records of the city’s capitol and photograph its appearance before continuing on with their captain. The group’s footsteps echoed through the hallway like a band of troopers with polished boots that clicked with their marching steps towards their target.
Into the courtyard they came, which was lit by the supervising illusion that crossed above them like a blanket. Blakely seemed to be the only to appreciate these things in the moment as his staff busily analysed their surroundings, photographing such features as they continued judging the development of this society and its abilities. Only Blakely smiled in response to the greeting of the Fairvae, although admittedly the faces of the rest were hidden by their ominous costumes that masked what lay beneath. As the Captain took his seat, the others seemed to nonchalantly march towards the speaker. With the breathing sounds through the masks of their hazmat suits, they gave more than just eerie vibe as they examined the Fairvae and intrusively photographed the figure before Blakely quickly called out,
“-Now that’s enough of that.” With a stern tone. The anonymous figures withdrew back gradually as they turned their attention to analysing other elements of the room.
“I hope you will forgive them for their inquisitiveness.” Blakely commented with something of a smile, “I’m afraid their entire careers are staked on data-gathering on events such as these; not diplomacy.”
Making himself comfortable, the Human removed his pith helmet to liberate his white hair to the cool open air. Adjusting his monocle, the explorer shook his head,
“I’m afraid if I ask for anything more than a glass of water, I will be here for a month exploring every dish and drink you have to offer.” Blakely joked before explaining to his host.
“I come here as an explorer on behalf of a power from stars far from yours. We’re an exploration mission you see, charting, prospecting, that sort of thing. I come representing a nation of the Telirans, an alien civilization from the other side of the galaxy. Our aims here are to forge a civil understanding with your people, and to seek trade, cooperation and friendship.”
AngelWiings
The tiny man gave big smiles to their pictures not taking much offense to them. He gave a dramatic curtsy, and took a seat in the middle of the table. "King Eloden at your service Captain. Your friends give me no offence. In fact if they wish I could them all of Pradors glorious races!" The fairvae man gave a small laugh, glancing up at the illusionary sky. "I'm glad you arrived now, and not a year or two ago, hmm? You come wishing trade, and friendship? My only question my dear friend is, why?" Before Blakely even responded he pointed to the male of his two guards. "You send for two Nocamal, two fairvae, and a few more of the guard, yes?" The guard nodded, and pressed a hand to his helmet. Presumably relaying the order.
The city of Meridia had very little tech in it that could be seen with the naked eye. But detailed scans showed small traces of technology lower in the city. If they had the capabability to scan for energy though? They would be seeing the brightness of a sun. the city was ran off magic, and most of it seemed to centered somewhere in the palace.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Captain was going to dismiss the notion of troubling the Fairvae with his orders for specimens of the Pradorian races, but he seemed quite insistent. Before he could even get a word in he had already mustered a hand to fetch for examples. Blakely resigned himself to his host’s insistence as first explained,
“The Associated States of Natar makes a business out of commerce, we are a civilization of merchants and traders. Our weapon of choice is the coin and pen; this is how our nation has flourished over the years. But for commerce, we of course require partners, associates, and networks; from what I can see your planet is far from scarce in what it could offer to the galactic markets.” The Captain paused.
“...What was wrong a year or two ago…?”
AngelWiings
"Most would say nothing, Prador is... Isolationist, we have stood in this system for centuries without outside contact. Prador does not like outlanders is all, and a few years ago you would have been set upon as soon as you came into our system." The man paused running his hand along the sword now resting on his lap, before continuing. "I am interested in your proposal but my people will need to be sold to it far more than I. I realize despite our nations pride, that if I do not solidify our position in the galaxy than we are doomed." He lifted up the blade, and effortlessly poked it into the stone table. The metal blade cutting into the stone like it was hot butter, and sticking in place once he let it go.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The gesture of the blade seemed to provoke the inquisitiveness of the Captain, but instigated no response. Instead, Blakely calmly remarked in response,
“I see, so your people are limited in their ties to the outside world. All the more reason for a new, established relationship with us. We can bring to Prador goods that you would believe were impossible.” The Captain assured with a grin as his accomplices began to finish their investigations of the area.
“The ASN can procure almost anything from anywhere in this galaxy, and we can make or break the fortunes of people overnight. Like a genie, Prador’s newfound friendship with us would pave the way for a new future; one without such vulnerability to foreign conquerors who would subjugate your planet for the sake of their own imperialism. We have helped planets much like your own in the past, and they now stand as equals on the galactic stage, and not just on the planetary stage.”
AngelWiings
King Eloden stroked his chin, while listening intently. The tiny king going into contemplation of his words. Interrupting his thoughts was a small group of people. Eloden looked up at the group, and spoke a quickly. "Strip, and line up by race, let these kind people take counts of our glorious biology. Jurvi join the other Murifri." Among the group that entered was 5 individuals. Two Nocamal shorter bark skinned beings. Both stood at around 5 feet tall, and both had a lot of musculature on their backs, and lower bodies compared to the average human. By their clothing they all seemed to be nobles. The Nocamal had longer pointed ears, and eyes that looked like one solid color. A closer look into the eyes showed they were much more complex than any human eye. What seemed to be a second pupil ingrained further into the eye. The Two fairvae seemed to both average out at 3 inches, with the male having moth like wings, and the female having butterfly like wings. Small beady eyes, and long pointed ears about the length of their heads. There was a singular male Murifri that came with them, and the female guard that had lead them there lined up next to him. Taking off her armor in a show of flashiness. Her halo growing a brighter color briefly, and the armor dropped off like a electromagnet letting go of metals. The group quickly stripped under Elodens orders. The Murifri's biology seemed to be the most impressive. The tallest of Pradorian races with giant white feathered wings, glowing golden eyes, and a golden halo. The most impressive thing though was while they had a lot of magical energy in them, their halo's being a natural siphon to the magical energy, their flight however was not magical. A analysis of their bodies would show they had very dense, high performing muscles, along with a few other unique organs that let them fly by pure strength. While they were thin, and held pointed ears like most Praetorian races, they were fucking strong.
Eloden after watching the nobles get scanned for a few seconds returned his attention to Captain Barkley. "Apologies a King takes a certain amount of pleasure from messing with the nobles, yes? Back to business though, while this ASN does sound quite good for Prador, I am no fool. What will it cost us?"
Bluesnailok | ASN
While the Teliran suited scientists eagerly went about photographing and recording the biological analyses of each of the races, Blakely seemed immensely disturbed that his host held such authority and was so casual in exercising.
“Oh- For goodness sake!” He cried to his party, gesturing for them to cease immediately, “-Leave these people with the sovereignty of their own bodies! Don’t demean them so!” The Captain called to his companions before returning to a rather disconcerted demeanour towards the ruler.
“I sincerely appreciate your gesture.” The Captain assured, “But our society prizes individual agency perhaps a little more so for what people show of their bodies.”
Physically gesturing with his hand as though he were literally dialing back the conversation as the King brought it back to more a more political conversation,
“Indeed.” The Captain confirmed, “-Everything comes at a cost. But our demands are purely in commercial interests. The most glaring cost will be a relatively standard quid pro-quo that a faction establishes with any associate that we trade with, which is Most Favoured Nation status: If you make any trade agreements with other foreign powers, we would at least enjoy the same such privilege granted to other powers if not greater.”
“In short.” Blakely surmised, “Should Prador ever be in need of anything, Natar will always be the best partner to trade for such things from.”
AngelWiings
The King was confused at first, giving a soft "Their bodies?" Under his breath. Prador was very lax with nudity something their society had never grown out of after the industrial revolution of it's world. Eloden understood his point, and quickly corrected himself. "Oh no, no, no. They aren't unwilling my friend, volunteers from the noble families currently in the CItadel." Eloden looked back to the group he had sent for. Waving his hand gently, and saying. "As you were. If you wish to stay and observe be my guest. Jurvi rearm yourself if you would." A good half of the group left save for the two fairvae, and the male Nocamal. Jurvi the second guard that brought them there much in the same way she took off the armor put it back on, while Eloden got back into the conversation proper.
"So what you are saying is we trade exclusively with the ASN, and if we don't we give the ASN a.. tribute of the trade we've gotten?" He stroked his chin for a moment, but didn't respond until he confirmed or denied his thought of how it worked.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Blakely seemed to nod at the King’s initial excuses for the promiscuity of his staff, but quickly moved on to the latter portion of the discussion. It was this topic that would determine the true scale of Natar’s presence and influence in Prador. The captain promptly shook his head.
“Not exclusively. It would mean that Natar would, however, always have the most favourable trading terms with your people. The lowest extent on tariffs, the highest threshold on import quotas, the-” Blakely seemed to pause, feeling like he might’ve lost the King on the meaning; he went back to the basics.
“Every trade agreement between two nations entails certain understandings: The degree of barriers in place for bringing goods in and out of the country and so forth. Most Favoured Nation status means that Natar will always have the best trading terms with Prador if your countrymen were ever intended to do interstellar commerce.” The Captain seemed somewhat tired, he was no economist and this was something best left to Teliran diplomats and economists, Blakely just wanted to retreat to his flowers and botany.
“Do you follow?” He inquired.
AngelWiings
King Eloden put his tiny four fingered hand to his chin for a long moment as Barkley spoke. "Indeed I do, please go on." He glanced back to his guards, and to the staff that stayed, then back to the Captain. Waiting for him to go on his speech.
Bluesnailok | ASN
“Well, the ASN would like that arrangement. In exchange for our commercial power, and the opportunities it would flow to Prador, Natar will be assured by treaty that it shall always have the best trading privileges with Prador among the nations it does commerce with.”
The Captain seemed to inspect the King’s current views on the prospect. Such a treaty would effectively monopolise the Pradorian economy, whether this King knew it or not; it was a rather routine diplomatic strategy employed by the ASN to begin its process of building its informal trading empire. All Blakely, who was not employed to question or philosophise on such matters, could hope for was that the ASN would not endeavour to turn Prador into a subject state in all but name, as it had with other states like La Serena in the past.
AngelWiings
King Eloden put his hands on his tiny chin in thought. Almost by a sixth sense his Kings Guards went into action. Two of the murifri quickly springing into action, and taking defensive positions, while a third made a dive for the king. But a moment later the small courtyard was utterly shaken by an explosion. The roof of the room surrounded in illusion shattering open in a reign of white stone. The illusions cast upon the walls flickering, and fading to show a bare stone wall, and roof. From the breach came a single powerful shell that struck the Kings Guard that dove in the chest. Blowing apart her entire chest cavity, and sending her tumbling among the ground. The tiny King stood fully taking his blade from the table, and looking upwards. Coming from the breach were around two dozen
their wings dyed a stark crimson red. Elodens two remaining Kingsguard took a step forward in defense of their King. The angelic attackers springing into action. Eloden's voice far more powerful than any man of his size had a right to be bellowed. "Mophiel, Krelial defend our guests, and escort them back to their ship. No guest of mine will die under my roof." The tiny man launched into the air right at one of the many crimson angels. The two kings guard took a step back, and looked to Captain Willard and his allies. The male of the two speaking with stern authority. "You heard his grace. Go, we will aid in your flight." The two angelic guards backed up to be by the Captains side. Despite Elodens size he was able to defend himself with incredible skill. Dodging, and weaving taking jabs where he could with Pradorial. Two of the Murifri in red began their decent on Willard, and his angelic guard.
Without much warning the Pradorian Civil war had broke out.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The blast into the meeting room sensed Blakely leaping from his chair behind cover; withdrawing his pistol in the process. His entourage reacted similarly amid the chaos of the attack which sent the Telirans rushing for their weaponry and beaconing out alerts to their crafts. With a layer of dust covering his brows and mustache, the Colonel rose to take aim at any assailants before being promptly dragged out of the room by palace guards and his team alike. Blakely was far from happy with being forced to withdraw, insisting he stand and fight,
Finally being brought back to his shuttle, all the Telirans could do was return to their ship; resigning themselves to quiet overseers of the chaos below. Their intelligence sectors were doing their best to keep track of events down below, and always sending communications down below to whatever new directives this turbulent planet was ready to give the ASN.
In the meantime, news had been sent back to Natar of the situation, and it quickly became apparent that the Assembly, and Stadtholder Tetlisun, no-longer entrusted this diplomacy to an explorer. Someone else was coming, much more suited to such politics.
AngelWiings
Once they reached the small hanger bay the Pradorian flightsuits that were in the hanger were still lying in wait. Two of the mechanized machines moving their position so the shuttle could better takeoff, afterwards the flightsuits would escort their shuttle back to their ship, where they were escorted out of the system.
By the time the new diplomat arrived they'd arrive to see a much more forceful patrol pattern. The previously docked, and stored fleet was absolutely swarming the edges of the system, along with their various fleet defenses to ensure no one could get in, and more importantly no one could get out. Almost immediately on approach the vessel would be sent a short transmission in galactic basic.
"Direct your course for your vessel to be docked at Watchpoint Zeta coordinates attached. Any deviation of this course will be met with deadly force."
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Teliran expedition had not been idle during the chaos below on the planet. Recognizing that the authorities below were likely far more discordant and confused with the ongoing situation, the ASN had promptly taken the initiative to make a power move. Accompanying the new delegate came three dozen new ships, including two Lord-Class cruisers. These ships largely stayed on the periphery of nearby space, but their imposing message was clear.
Meanwhile the ambassadorial ship came towards the planet whilst Blakely’s own force made course to reunify with the rest of the fleet. Its approach was flanked by two similarly sized destroyers toward the planet as drones and fighters jerked to and fro around them like flies. Slowly but surely the flotilla approached the station, their silhouettes shadowing the observers to their approach as they loomed towards their target like hawks descending upon a target.
Onboard the headship was Governor-General Relanio Ketha, officer of the Kalethian forces and the Butcher of Hamilia. Unlike Blakely, the General was not so curious about this civilization’s ways as much as their purpose in the jigsaw of the galaxy, unlikely Blakely, he came with soldiers, not scientists, and unlikely Blakely, Ketha came with orders to cement Prador under the supervision of the ASN’s ever-hungry economy.
Stepping off of the giant landing ramp of his destroyer, Ketha began to march down onto the landing area. The troops he came with came armed in exoatmospheric marine gear, gripping onto weapons of all shapes and sizes, including what looked to be a flamethrower.
AngelWiings —
Prador had organized surprisingly fast, while the planet itself was in chaos, the perimeter militaries, and Pradorian Knights were ready, and watching. Watchpoint Zeta served as the foremost military staging ground with thousands of weapons bristling along it, and with all of it's docks empty. Standing 'behind' the fleet was a mass of hundreds, and hundreds of Pradorian ships, many more buzzing around the system to ensure it's defense while the government reorganized itself. Pradors forces were split in half currently, past the asteroid belt towards Prador was another mass of ships, but the realization that the two Pradorian forces weren't one in the same was not easy to make. Their ships were not made of quality, but they were plentiful, their own fighters swarmed around them like flies. The Pradorian ships were not moving aggressively, but their weapons were most certainly powered on, the vessels themselves only in a loose formation with the larger carries having several smaller vessels surrounding them. If the ASN were doing more active scanning around the Pradorian system it quickly became apparent they had an abundance of system defenses mainly concentrated in the asteroid belt, and deeper in. The asteroid belt having hundreds of facilities built into the various rocks to hold orbital defenses, while numerous defense stations, and satellites were in-between the asteroid belt, and Prador itself. Prador was a nation of just one system, thus their home was defended to the level of absurdity, limited only by Pradors own limited technology.
In the docking bay that the destroyer landed at General Ketha was met with Prador's own show of force. The hanger bay was massive meant to fit a large vessel. Waiting for him was a single Murifri with wings dyed red. Surrounding him was an absolute mass of soldiers. Lining the distance between the two was hundreds of other Murifri all with eyes dyed of red, behind them was a long line of Pradorian fighters in their mecha forms each wielding massive energy blades, or gargantuan bows. Overhead is what could only be described as a mass blanket of Fairvae. The tiny, and most numerous race of Prador like that of a giant hornets swarm above. The figure at the end was a male Murifri, wielding what seemed to be a large metal stick.
The hanger itself was quite massive, several ceiling mounted turrets, and a huge bulkhead at the rear that had yet to be closed. Large docking arms folded up against the walls for the Pradorian vessels that lacked proper landing gear.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Ketha inspected his surroundings as he descended. If he felt any emotions, he was clearly not displaying them, his face was colder than a stone wall. With his hands clasped behind his back, the Teliran knelt down; gliding his finger along the hangar floor. Standing upright, the General seemed to inspect the surface for dust before continuing his approach.
The General’s boots echoed through the large open space, making the eerie silence and environment all the more of a contrast to the more livelier exchange prior. Finally, the Teliran came to a halt before whom he presumed was the appropriate delegate to meet with. The officer simply inquired.
“To whom am I speaking?”
AngelWiings
"Paladin-General Yoriel, current commander of unified Pradorian Knights. I suggest you make your intentions clear, and fast."
The murifri man was similarly not as kindhearted as Eloden, and his face was the embodiment of anger. He looked utterly pissed to even have to disgrace himself with talking to the ASN General. His arms were folded, and his garb was of Pradorian body armor. The metal accented in gold not looking to unlike medieval knight armor. He wore no helmet, but behind him was a nocamal woman the most humanoid of the Pretorian races wearing some form of chainmail tunic. It was not functional battle armor, more ceremonial but her had a large helmet for the murifri man in her hands. A meek expression about her.
The hanger was fairly silent, and fairly clinical in appearance as well. A relative dusk grey on all sides, with only residue from his destroyer, and the vessel that had left here not long ago. The only sounds besides the two generals echoing words was the faint flapping of the fairvae swarms above. Thousands of them ready to descend at a moments notice.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Teliran cocked a brow at the Murifri’s words, evidently whatever change had transpired on Prador, the nation had developed a change of outlook to outsiders. The General did not particularly care for false-smiles and well-wishes at any rate.
“I have been dispatched here to conclude first-contact dealings between the Associated States of Natar and your nation. If your people have no intention of opening yourselves to the bounties of the larger galaxy, just say so, and we shall take leave.” He sternly addressed authoritatively. Juxtaposing Blakely and Eloden’s previous attitudes, it was becoming clear that this new martial interaction was not backed by good intentions by both parties.
“However, if Prador intends to advance itself, might I recommend continuation of the progress made previously before whatever terrorist act transpired under the efforts of my predecessor?”
AngelWiings
"King Eloden died at your meeting outlander, Prador is stronger on it's own then with your help..." The man gave a long deep sigh, one that spoke without words frustration. "I am honor bound to report your offer to the next Divine Ruler. Uri'el will chose Elodens successor soon, and I have a feeling of whom it will be. If she wished to continue dealings with you, then she will." The man gave one more sigh of frustration, and continued his speech. "Leave with me how to contact you, I will pass it on."
Bluesnailok | ASN
With a stern look, Ketha nodded as some aides came forth. With nothing else left to say, the Teliran took a bow and turned. Ascending up the ramp back up to his destroyer, the Teliran murmured nonchalantly to an ADC,
“A waste of my time, and ASN money. Be sure to note it down in how future dealings are prepared with Prador. If they shall not exalt us with productive talks when appropriate and snub us, then they must not expect anything less.” Ketha bitterly pulled each of his gloves back on as he disappeared into his ship. His aides followed soon after.
Telirankind left with a bitter perception of Prador, its people, its reliability and its politics. Nonetheless, an invitation would later come through for Prador. This time, for them to come forth to the homeworld of Telirans; to experience Natar itself.
While Prador was not prepared as some nations in the defense of their system they were aware of the larger galaxy, and had made their preparations for invasion. Their two Watchpoint outposts, along with some minimal defenses orbiting Pradoria. A mix of Cruisers, and Battle-cruisers patrolled around the system not just for invasion forces, but smugglers, and civilians in the restricted parts of the system, while the two Watchpoints made very active scans constantly around the system to try and pinpoint any foreign entities.
Prador had yet to even establish a ANCnet link, only very recently with the Crowing of the Fairvae King Eloden has Prador been remotely interested in the greater events of the Ancerious Galaxy. In-fact the last group the Crimison Murifrus, a group of Murifri dead-set on entering the galaxy and defending Prador by a mix of conquest, and diplomacy was largely destroyed, with their leader exiled from Pradorian space.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Kingdom of Prador was, however, about to receive uninvited guests. On a seemingly uneventful day Watchpoint Galvus detected the arrival of unknown FTL activity in several neighbouring systems. The pattern seemed indicative of a surveying mission; a surveying mission that was closing in on Pradorian territory itself.
Captain Blakely was far from expecting the encounter with this new power when the Frightening Eclipse made contact with the first Pradorian ships. The captain’s curiosity and calm-mindedness, however, prevailed over some of his aid’s first calls for a more aggressive reaction. As Blakely’s vessel, along with his two accompanying frigates, arrived in Prador’s home system, they were quick to make their intentions known by keeping weapons and countermeasure systems inactive.
“Greetings.” Came Blakely’s transmission, sent out initially in Galactic Common, “To all who receive this. This is Captain Willard Blakely of the Associated States Space Authority acting on Mandate 23 of the Assembly Charter of 460. We come on a mission of peace and diplomacy, our intentions are not of violence but of cooperation… This message will repeat until we receive a response or perceive desire for our departure.”
The message continued its transmission without halt. In the meantime, the ASN ships did little in the way of movement. They neither began approaching Prador at sunlight nor began to leave, they merely sat in deep-space, watching the system through computer monitors as they awaited a reaction.
AngelWiings — 06/07/2021
It took a few minutes before they finally received a return signal. Between them needing to find a translator, and the time to relay a message. Galactic Standard being spoken by a precious few among Prador.
"We hear you Captain Willard. Maintain your current position a escort will bring you into Pradorian space for a proper face to face meeting. Welcome to the Holy Kingdom of Prador Outlanders, please stand by."
It was a soft voice, obviously male, but slightly, small? It would take long for a detachment of ships to exit from Watchpoint Zeta. Two Dreadnoughts, and four Battlecruisers. Each equipped with substantial front facing weaponry, and a combination of Dorsal, side, and drop down hangers. Prador having a fondness of fightercraft, and a even bigger one for shows of force. The group of ships would enter slipspace. Blinking out into FTL, and but a moment later coming back out not all too far from the ASN ships. A transmission pinged again to them, this time coming directly from one of the two Dreadnoughts.
"Follow us at Sublight Outlanders. We shall have our talks of diplomacy."
Any sort of scans would make it quite clear what Prador was doing currently. Many of it's ships clustering around the singular habitable 'super-earth' planet, while the rest seemed to be taking defensive positions across the systems to cut off, and swarm them if they tried anything, but none were taking aggressive action. While the Pradorian ships did not 'power down' there own magical based ship weaponry, they also were not actively aiming, or tracking the ASN vessels.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Captain was intrigued by the specifications and speculations coming in on the Pradorian ships, particularly on their focus on fighter-usage; they were quite similar to the ASN in this way. Sending through his acknowledgements, the Captain’s flotilla quickly began to trail their escorts as they made their way to Prador.
To a botanist and biologist like Captain Blakely, the place seemed like a veritable treasure trove for investigation and curation. Though he was sure his Teliran paymasters would not be so similarly interested in his curiosity. As the squadron began to close in on the planet, Blakely’s other ships broke off at a safe distance from the planet; leaving Blakely’s ship to approach it alone to render as little a threat as possible.
“Please send on to us your landing coordinates; we’ll follow you in.” The Captain promptly pinged out to his escorts before returning to his chair to buckle down for landing procedures.
AngelWiings
As they neared Pradoria the larger escorts ships began to obviously begin going into orbit, while two wings of fighters came out of the lead Dreadnoughts drop hanger. they were all identical save for a single red mark for the Squadron leader. The two wings began to lead them in, while the dreadnought pinged back. "Follow by visual, our Knights in Super Heavy Armor will show you the rest of the way."
And so they did. Going down into the planet, which even by orbit was obvious it had neglected to do much industrialization. By the time Prador had ever got into it's industrial revolution it had already entered space, and thus by the time demand got so high, most of the factories had been built off of the homeworld. They came down at a slight angle towards the Capital, the Central Kingdom of Prador. A massive white city built like a giant circle atop a stone plateau. On all sides of it there was a sheer drop of almost 20 miles, and the rest of the adjacent plateaus in the region at least 40 miles away from the central one the Plateau was built onto. A singular bridge held up by a combination of supports, and magical pylons went a little over 40 miles connecting to another plateau, and then the road going into the distant countryside filled by farms, and forests. The interior of the city itself almost looked like that out of a story book. It was built up in layers getting higher with each section of the city, great blue windows, stone towers stretching into the sky, and large swathes of the city still covered by trees. Out of the 6 layers of the city they seemed to be on a path towards the 5th One of the fighters pinging them as they got closer. "On our trajectory, landing bay marked by the orange trees." Without much other word, one of the two Squadrons broke off to circle around while the first went in for a landing. Going over a large group of autumn colored trees, than right into them. Disappearing from sight as the trees rippled like water for a brief moment.
Indeed it was only an illusion kept powered by the cities connection to the galaxies leylines. Underneath was a large landing area that could fit up to a 300 meter ship with a really good pilot. The 12 ships that made up one squadron on landing changed configurations. The fighters turning into bipedal mechas, and landing on foot. Making a circle to form around the captains ship once it landed.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Willard was rather enjoying the descent of his frigate down towards the planetary surface below. The pastoral simplicity both on the readouts and visual-feeds quickly made it abundant to the Captain of the planet’s restrictive levels of industrial advancement; something he would have to note for his employers. He himself, however, enjoyed the untouched nature of the planet, it was like an untouched tomb for an archeologist or a fresh ore vein for a miner.
As the frigate closed in on the city, however, it rapidly became clear that the planet was not built with infrastructure to host a capital ship such as his. Stabilizing the ship into position, Blakely unbuckled himself and organised a hastily cobbled-together retinue for a shuttle mission; ordering the frigate to return to the orbit until contacted by him again.
With that, Blakely’s shuttle would come roaring down from its mothership almost half an hour after witnessing the fighters make their landing. Through the trees the ASN made its landing, perching itself upon the hangar surface with an echoing clunk; followed by the emergence of its offloading ramp and then the aliens themselves. Like radioactive technicians, a dozen figures in baggy, protective suits stepped from the ship and onto Pradorian ground. It was apparent that they were wearing such clothing in case of contagions and to protect themselves and potentially their hosts from such dangers.
Blakely was not wearing such clothing. With a beaming smile, the Captain strutted towards the awaiting hosts for his mission.
“Don’t worry, I've been checked for illnesses; I'll be likewise checked over once I depart.” He assured with a smile before giving a graceful bow to his hosts, his colonial explorer accoutrements ruffling with his movements, “Captain-Charter Willard Blakely of the Kalethian Republic and the Associated States of Natar, at your mercy. It is a pleasure to meet your people.”
AngelWiings
One of the star-fighters turned to mechas turned to face him. The vehicle a good 20 feet tall in this configuration. "Down the hall please." Came it's mechanical voice, modulated from the speaker. At the doorway Willard would be greeted by two figures that looked cast out of a story book once again. Full-Plate armor with a more modern alloy, the helmet spreading a bit at the sides, and where the visor would be was a piece of glass that was glowing golden. The armor itself was silver in coloration with a shin to it, this model having gold plating running along the larger pieces to show some authority. The most striking of these two figures though was two details in particular. Their giant feathered wings for one, each wing outstretched easily three times their body height, along with a crown like halo glowing a golden light above their heads. While it was hard to tell especially from a distance closer up with a keen eye one could tell one was female one was male. The only indications being slightly thinner, and having a more pronounced hip. The differences in their armor however was so minuscule it was not an easy thing to tell. Each wielded what looked like a large metal pole a few feet taller than the two. This was not nearly as hard to tell as the two's gender. It had several small indents on the tip, and bunt of the pole presumably to project some sort of energy for a weapon. Along with several subtle seems to allow it to change into something else. The male of the two spoke. "Follow us please." His voice wasn't modulated but seemed to have an echoing to it. Like it was being spoken both in front, and behind him at the same time. The two guards both turned standing apart far enough to not touch their wings together as they moved, and began marching forward. The hall was made of some sort of intricate stone not too unlike marble.
It went on for a few hundred feet with a few pathways diverging, until they came through a open doorway into the city proper. The place was utterly massive. Much more impressive on foot. A singular pathway lead to the center of the city inclining at several points, and flanking both sides of said roadway was thousands of knights. Their armor identical to the two escorting him save for two keen differences. The visors glowed blue, they had no gold plating, and while not a difference in the armor they lacked the wings of his escorts. Looking at the buildings they were passing they seemed to have a utter lack of doors, passing by the occasional trees between the buildings, and along the roads. It could also be noted they had an extreme lack of cars as well. That combined with the lack of streetlamps, or obvious electrical wiring take away the tech Prador had and it would look straight for a medieval fantasy book on the ANCnet. The female of the two guards spoke as they headed up towards the center of the city. A giant towering palace like castle, that stretched into the sky. Getting a
closer look at it, it had various well hidden Anti-Air defenses. Masked by it's very design.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Blakely nodded as he followed the ground escort into the depths of the city, saying very little except to take glances at datapads offered to him by his party from time to time. The Captain took little interest in urban structures and wasn’t much of an architect, though it didn’t take one to notice the history of his surroundings. Eventually the captain would calmly inquire over the guard’s intermingling,
“Have you been expecting us?”
AngelWiings
"Our early warning post saw some FTL activity in nearby systems. We prepared for both war, and peace and lied in wait for your arrival." The female guard replied. It was a good thirty minute walk to the palace at the center of the city. It was round like the city, with four large 'walls' with a very vertical nature connecting four towers, to one singular giant one. Surrounding this structure was both a wall with ramparts, and a moat. The moat was sheer stone, and seemed to go down forever. The bottom of it not in sight. There was a singular bridge of some sort of translucent purple energy connecting their side, with the singular gatehouse. The two guards lead them inside, and down a singular hall. By design the interior was not labeled, nor easy to follow. After a countless amount of turns down different hallways until they reached two large wooden doors. The two angelic guards pushed the doors inwards, revealing it to be not only a courtyard, but a meeting room. The ground was a brilliant green with a multitude of different colored flowers, dead in the center was a round stone table with over a dozen chairs around. Various trees, flowers, and two small ponds with a 'river' running between them. Looking out of the sky it was obviously not Pradoria's view of the stars, but rather a image of brilliant purples, and blues of a sky covered in a nebulae. Breaking through the edges of a treeline. The faint shimmering of the ceiling showing ever so subtly that it was not the real outside view. The two guards stepped inside, and would close the doors behind the two. The wooden doors seeming to meld, and disappear into the wall. It looked like they were in some sort of deep forest grove, the walls that of a dense forest. In truth it was little more than illusions placed in the room. The two guards approached the table but stood far away enough to not be intrusive.
A voice spoke out though. It was soft, yet powerful. Holding a great deal of confidence in it. Standing at the center of the table was the tiniest of men. A 4 inch tall fairvae man, with soft moth wings at his back, and long drooping ears as long as his head. His eyes were two beady magenta bulbs, and he wore tiny little ornate full-plate, and a golden crown that looked like intertwined twigs. He had no helmet on currently, but he was wielding a sword. It was far larger than his body, being almost 10 inches long, but he had no issue holding it. It didn't take a genius to figure out it was simple because of his size, that he could lift things above his body weight much like an ant.
"Come, come! Take a seat! Do you want any food, drinks? Let me know! It has been a long, long time since Prador has had... Civilized visitors, yes?"
Bluesnailok | ASN
As the troupe strolled before the castle, a few of the entourage stopped and looked up at the place. Some of the party lifted devices to take records of the city’s capitol and photograph its appearance before continuing on with their captain. The group’s footsteps echoed through the hallway like a band of troopers with polished boots that clicked with their marching steps towards their target.
Into the courtyard they came, which was lit by the supervising illusion that crossed above them like a blanket. Blakely seemed to be the only to appreciate these things in the moment as his staff busily analysed their surroundings, photographing such features as they continued judging the development of this society and its abilities. Only Blakely smiled in response to the greeting of the Fairvae, although admittedly the faces of the rest were hidden by their ominous costumes that masked what lay beneath. As the Captain took his seat, the others seemed to nonchalantly march towards the speaker. With the breathing sounds through the masks of their hazmat suits, they gave more than just eerie vibe as they examined the Fairvae and intrusively photographed the figure before Blakely quickly called out,
“-Now that’s enough of that.” With a stern tone. The anonymous figures withdrew back gradually as they turned their attention to analysing other elements of the room.
“I hope you will forgive them for their inquisitiveness.” Blakely commented with something of a smile, “I’m afraid their entire careers are staked on data-gathering on events such as these; not diplomacy.”
Making himself comfortable, the Human removed his pith helmet to liberate his white hair to the cool open air. Adjusting his monocle, the explorer shook his head,
“I’m afraid if I ask for anything more than a glass of water, I will be here for a month exploring every dish and drink you have to offer.” Blakely joked before explaining to his host.
“I come here as an explorer on behalf of a power from stars far from yours. We’re an exploration mission you see, charting, prospecting, that sort of thing. I come representing a nation of the Telirans, an alien civilization from the other side of the galaxy. Our aims here are to forge a civil understanding with your people, and to seek trade, cooperation and friendship.”
AngelWiings
The tiny man gave big smiles to their pictures not taking much offense to them. He gave a dramatic curtsy, and took a seat in the middle of the table. "King Eloden at your service Captain. Your friends give me no offence. In fact if they wish I could them all of Pradors glorious races!" The fairvae man gave a small laugh, glancing up at the illusionary sky. "I'm glad you arrived now, and not a year or two ago, hmm? You come wishing trade, and friendship? My only question my dear friend is, why?" Before Blakely even responded he pointed to the male of his two guards. "You send for two Nocamal, two fairvae, and a few more of the guard, yes?" The guard nodded, and pressed a hand to his helmet. Presumably relaying the order.
The city of Meridia had very little tech in it that could be seen with the naked eye. But detailed scans showed small traces of technology lower in the city. If they had the capabability to scan for energy though? They would be seeing the brightness of a sun. the city was ran off magic, and most of it seemed to centered somewhere in the palace.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Captain was going to dismiss the notion of troubling the Fairvae with his orders for specimens of the Pradorian races, but he seemed quite insistent. Before he could even get a word in he had already mustered a hand to fetch for examples. Blakely resigned himself to his host’s insistence as first explained,
“The Associated States of Natar makes a business out of commerce, we are a civilization of merchants and traders. Our weapon of choice is the coin and pen; this is how our nation has flourished over the years. But for commerce, we of course require partners, associates, and networks; from what I can see your planet is far from scarce in what it could offer to the galactic markets.” The Captain paused.
“...What was wrong a year or two ago…?”
AngelWiings
"Most would say nothing, Prador is... Isolationist, we have stood in this system for centuries without outside contact. Prador does not like outlanders is all, and a few years ago you would have been set upon as soon as you came into our system." The man paused running his hand along the sword now resting on his lap, before continuing. "I am interested in your proposal but my people will need to be sold to it far more than I. I realize despite our nations pride, that if I do not solidify our position in the galaxy than we are doomed." He lifted up the blade, and effortlessly poked it into the stone table. The metal blade cutting into the stone like it was hot butter, and sticking in place once he let it go.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The gesture of the blade seemed to provoke the inquisitiveness of the Captain, but instigated no response. Instead, Blakely calmly remarked in response,
“I see, so your people are limited in their ties to the outside world. All the more reason for a new, established relationship with us. We can bring to Prador goods that you would believe were impossible.” The Captain assured with a grin as his accomplices began to finish their investigations of the area.
“The ASN can procure almost anything from anywhere in this galaxy, and we can make or break the fortunes of people overnight. Like a genie, Prador’s newfound friendship with us would pave the way for a new future; one without such vulnerability to foreign conquerors who would subjugate your planet for the sake of their own imperialism. We have helped planets much like your own in the past, and they now stand as equals on the galactic stage, and not just on the planetary stage.”
AngelWiings
King Eloden stroked his chin, while listening intently. The tiny king going into contemplation of his words. Interrupting his thoughts was a small group of people. Eloden looked up at the group, and spoke a quickly. "Strip, and line up by race, let these kind people take counts of our glorious biology. Jurvi join the other Murifri." Among the group that entered was 5 individuals. Two Nocamal shorter bark skinned beings. Both stood at around 5 feet tall, and both had a lot of musculature on their backs, and lower bodies compared to the average human. By their clothing they all seemed to be nobles. The Nocamal had longer pointed ears, and eyes that looked like one solid color. A closer look into the eyes showed they were much more complex than any human eye. What seemed to be a second pupil ingrained further into the eye. The Two fairvae seemed to both average out at 3 inches, with the male having moth like wings, and the female having butterfly like wings. Small beady eyes, and long pointed ears about the length of their heads. There was a singular male Murifri that came with them, and the female guard that had lead them there lined up next to him. Taking off her armor in a show of flashiness. Her halo growing a brighter color briefly, and the armor dropped off like a electromagnet letting go of metals. The group quickly stripped under Elodens orders. The Murifri's biology seemed to be the most impressive. The tallest of Pradorian races with giant white feathered wings, glowing golden eyes, and a golden halo. The most impressive thing though was while they had a lot of magical energy in them, their halo's being a natural siphon to the magical energy, their flight however was not magical. A analysis of their bodies would show they had very dense, high performing muscles, along with a few other unique organs that let them fly by pure strength. While they were thin, and held pointed ears like most Praetorian races, they were fucking strong.
Eloden after watching the nobles get scanned for a few seconds returned his attention to Captain Barkley. "Apologies a King takes a certain amount of pleasure from messing with the nobles, yes? Back to business though, while this ASN does sound quite good for Prador, I am no fool. What will it cost us?"
Bluesnailok | ASN
While the Teliran suited scientists eagerly went about photographing and recording the biological analyses of each of the races, Blakely seemed immensely disturbed that his host held such authority and was so casual in exercising.
“Oh- For goodness sake!” He cried to his party, gesturing for them to cease immediately, “-Leave these people with the sovereignty of their own bodies! Don’t demean them so!” The Captain called to his companions before returning to a rather disconcerted demeanour towards the ruler.
“I sincerely appreciate your gesture.” The Captain assured, “But our society prizes individual agency perhaps a little more so for what people show of their bodies.”
Physically gesturing with his hand as though he were literally dialing back the conversation as the King brought it back to more a more political conversation,
“Indeed.” The Captain confirmed, “-Everything comes at a cost. But our demands are purely in commercial interests. The most glaring cost will be a relatively standard quid pro-quo that a faction establishes with any associate that we trade with, which is Most Favoured Nation status: If you make any trade agreements with other foreign powers, we would at least enjoy the same such privilege granted to other powers if not greater.”
“In short.” Blakely surmised, “Should Prador ever be in need of anything, Natar will always be the best partner to trade for such things from.”
AngelWiings
The King was confused at first, giving a soft "Their bodies?" Under his breath. Prador was very lax with nudity something their society had never grown out of after the industrial revolution of it's world. Eloden understood his point, and quickly corrected himself. "Oh no, no, no. They aren't unwilling my friend, volunteers from the noble families currently in the CItadel." Eloden looked back to the group he had sent for. Waving his hand gently, and saying. "As you were. If you wish to stay and observe be my guest. Jurvi rearm yourself if you would." A good half of the group left save for the two fairvae, and the male Nocamal. Jurvi the second guard that brought them there much in the same way she took off the armor put it back on, while Eloden got back into the conversation proper.
"So what you are saying is we trade exclusively with the ASN, and if we don't we give the ASN a.. tribute of the trade we've gotten?" He stroked his chin for a moment, but didn't respond until he confirmed or denied his thought of how it worked.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Blakely seemed to nod at the King’s initial excuses for the promiscuity of his staff, but quickly moved on to the latter portion of the discussion. It was this topic that would determine the true scale of Natar’s presence and influence in Prador. The captain promptly shook his head.
“Not exclusively. It would mean that Natar would, however, always have the most favourable trading terms with your people. The lowest extent on tariffs, the highest threshold on import quotas, the-” Blakely seemed to pause, feeling like he might’ve lost the King on the meaning; he went back to the basics.
“Every trade agreement between two nations entails certain understandings: The degree of barriers in place for bringing goods in and out of the country and so forth. Most Favoured Nation status means that Natar will always have the best trading terms with Prador if your countrymen were ever intended to do interstellar commerce.” The Captain seemed somewhat tired, he was no economist and this was something best left to Teliran diplomats and economists, Blakely just wanted to retreat to his flowers and botany.
“Do you follow?” He inquired.
AngelWiings
King Eloden put his tiny four fingered hand to his chin for a long moment as Barkley spoke. "Indeed I do, please go on." He glanced back to his guards, and to the staff that stayed, then back to the Captain. Waiting for him to go on his speech.
Bluesnailok | ASN
“Well, the ASN would like that arrangement. In exchange for our commercial power, and the opportunities it would flow to Prador, Natar will be assured by treaty that it shall always have the best trading privileges with Prador among the nations it does commerce with.”
The Captain seemed to inspect the King’s current views on the prospect. Such a treaty would effectively monopolise the Pradorian economy, whether this King knew it or not; it was a rather routine diplomatic strategy employed by the ASN to begin its process of building its informal trading empire. All Blakely, who was not employed to question or philosophise on such matters, could hope for was that the ASN would not endeavour to turn Prador into a subject state in all but name, as it had with other states like La Serena in the past.
AngelWiings
King Eloden put his hands on his tiny chin in thought. Almost by a sixth sense his Kings Guards went into action. Two of the murifri quickly springing into action, and taking defensive positions, while a third made a dive for the king. But a moment later the small courtyard was utterly shaken by an explosion. The roof of the room surrounded in illusion shattering open in a reign of white stone. The illusions cast upon the walls flickering, and fading to show a bare stone wall, and roof. From the breach came a single powerful shell that struck the Kings Guard that dove in the chest. Blowing apart her entire chest cavity, and sending her tumbling among the ground. The tiny King stood fully taking his blade from the table, and looking upwards. Coming from the breach were around two dozen
their wings dyed a stark crimson red. Elodens two remaining Kingsguard took a step forward in defense of their King. The angelic attackers springing into action. Eloden's voice far more powerful than any man of his size had a right to be bellowed. "Mophiel, Krelial defend our guests, and escort them back to their ship. No guest of mine will die under my roof." The tiny man launched into the air right at one of the many crimson angels. The two kings guard took a step back, and looked to Captain Willard and his allies. The male of the two speaking with stern authority. "You heard his grace. Go, we will aid in your flight." The two angelic guards backed up to be by the Captains side. Despite Elodens size he was able to defend himself with incredible skill. Dodging, and weaving taking jabs where he could with Pradorial. Two of the Murifri in red began their decent on Willard, and his angelic guard.
Without much warning the Pradorian Civil war had broke out.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The blast into the meeting room sensed Blakely leaping from his chair behind cover; withdrawing his pistol in the process. His entourage reacted similarly amid the chaos of the attack which sent the Telirans rushing for their weaponry and beaconing out alerts to their crafts. With a layer of dust covering his brows and mustache, the Colonel rose to take aim at any assailants before being promptly dragged out of the room by palace guards and his team alike. Blakely was far from happy with being forced to withdraw, insisting he stand and fight,
Finally being brought back to his shuttle, all the Telirans could do was return to their ship; resigning themselves to quiet overseers of the chaos below. Their intelligence sectors were doing their best to keep track of events down below, and always sending communications down below to whatever new directives this turbulent planet was ready to give the ASN.
In the meantime, news had been sent back to Natar of the situation, and it quickly became apparent that the Assembly, and Stadtholder Tetlisun, no-longer entrusted this diplomacy to an explorer. Someone else was coming, much more suited to such politics.
AngelWiings
Once they reached the small hanger bay the Pradorian flightsuits that were in the hanger were still lying in wait. Two of the mechanized machines moving their position so the shuttle could better takeoff, afterwards the flightsuits would escort their shuttle back to their ship, where they were escorted out of the system.
By the time the new diplomat arrived they'd arrive to see a much more forceful patrol pattern. The previously docked, and stored fleet was absolutely swarming the edges of the system, along with their various fleet defenses to ensure no one could get in, and more importantly no one could get out. Almost immediately on approach the vessel would be sent a short transmission in galactic basic.
"Direct your course for your vessel to be docked at Watchpoint Zeta coordinates attached. Any deviation of this course will be met with deadly force."
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Teliran expedition had not been idle during the chaos below on the planet. Recognizing that the authorities below were likely far more discordant and confused with the ongoing situation, the ASN had promptly taken the initiative to make a power move. Accompanying the new delegate came three dozen new ships, including two Lord-Class cruisers. These ships largely stayed on the periphery of nearby space, but their imposing message was clear.
Meanwhile the ambassadorial ship came towards the planet whilst Blakely’s own force made course to reunify with the rest of the fleet. Its approach was flanked by two similarly sized destroyers toward the planet as drones and fighters jerked to and fro around them like flies. Slowly but surely the flotilla approached the station, their silhouettes shadowing the observers to their approach as they loomed towards their target like hawks descending upon a target.
Onboard the headship was Governor-General Relanio Ketha, officer of the Kalethian forces and the Butcher of Hamilia. Unlike Blakely, the General was not so curious about this civilization’s ways as much as their purpose in the jigsaw of the galaxy, unlikely Blakely, he came with soldiers, not scientists, and unlikely Blakely, Ketha came with orders to cement Prador under the supervision of the ASN’s ever-hungry economy.
Stepping off of the giant landing ramp of his destroyer, Ketha began to march down onto the landing area. The troops he came with came armed in exoatmospheric marine gear, gripping onto weapons of all shapes and sizes, including what looked to be a flamethrower.
AngelWiings —
Prador had organized surprisingly fast, while the planet itself was in chaos, the perimeter militaries, and Pradorian Knights were ready, and watching. Watchpoint Zeta served as the foremost military staging ground with thousands of weapons bristling along it, and with all of it's docks empty. Standing 'behind' the fleet was a mass of hundreds, and hundreds of Pradorian ships, many more buzzing around the system to ensure it's defense while the government reorganized itself. Pradors forces were split in half currently, past the asteroid belt towards Prador was another mass of ships, but the realization that the two Pradorian forces weren't one in the same was not easy to make. Their ships were not made of quality, but they were plentiful, their own fighters swarmed around them like flies. The Pradorian ships were not moving aggressively, but their weapons were most certainly powered on, the vessels themselves only in a loose formation with the larger carries having several smaller vessels surrounding them. If the ASN were doing more active scanning around the Pradorian system it quickly became apparent they had an abundance of system defenses mainly concentrated in the asteroid belt, and deeper in. The asteroid belt having hundreds of facilities built into the various rocks to hold orbital defenses, while numerous defense stations, and satellites were in-between the asteroid belt, and Prador itself. Prador was a nation of just one system, thus their home was defended to the level of absurdity, limited only by Pradors own limited technology.
In the docking bay that the destroyer landed at General Ketha was met with Prador's own show of force. The hanger bay was massive meant to fit a large vessel. Waiting for him was a single Murifri with wings dyed red. Surrounding him was an absolute mass of soldiers. Lining the distance between the two was hundreds of other Murifri all with eyes dyed of red, behind them was a long line of Pradorian fighters in their mecha forms each wielding massive energy blades, or gargantuan bows. Overhead is what could only be described as a mass blanket of Fairvae. The tiny, and most numerous race of Prador like that of a giant hornets swarm above. The figure at the end was a male Murifri, wielding what seemed to be a large metal stick.
The hanger itself was quite massive, several ceiling mounted turrets, and a huge bulkhead at the rear that had yet to be closed. Large docking arms folded up against the walls for the Pradorian vessels that lacked proper landing gear.
Bluesnailok | ASN
Ketha inspected his surroundings as he descended. If he felt any emotions, he was clearly not displaying them, his face was colder than a stone wall. With his hands clasped behind his back, the Teliran knelt down; gliding his finger along the hangar floor. Standing upright, the General seemed to inspect the surface for dust before continuing his approach.
The General’s boots echoed through the large open space, making the eerie silence and environment all the more of a contrast to the more livelier exchange prior. Finally, the Teliran came to a halt before whom he presumed was the appropriate delegate to meet with. The officer simply inquired.
“To whom am I speaking?”
AngelWiings
"Paladin-General Yoriel, current commander of unified Pradorian Knights. I suggest you make your intentions clear, and fast."
The murifri man was similarly not as kindhearted as Eloden, and his face was the embodiment of anger. He looked utterly pissed to even have to disgrace himself with talking to the ASN General. His arms were folded, and his garb was of Pradorian body armor. The metal accented in gold not looking to unlike medieval knight armor. He wore no helmet, but behind him was a nocamal woman the most humanoid of the Pretorian races wearing some form of chainmail tunic. It was not functional battle armor, more ceremonial but her had a large helmet for the murifri man in her hands. A meek expression about her.
The hanger was fairly silent, and fairly clinical in appearance as well. A relative dusk grey on all sides, with only residue from his destroyer, and the vessel that had left here not long ago. The only sounds besides the two generals echoing words was the faint flapping of the fairvae swarms above. Thousands of them ready to descend at a moments notice.
Bluesnailok | ASN
The Teliran cocked a brow at the Murifri’s words, evidently whatever change had transpired on Prador, the nation had developed a change of outlook to outsiders. The General did not particularly care for false-smiles and well-wishes at any rate.
“I have been dispatched here to conclude first-contact dealings between the Associated States of Natar and your nation. If your people have no intention of opening yourselves to the bounties of the larger galaxy, just say so, and we shall take leave.” He sternly addressed authoritatively. Juxtaposing Blakely and Eloden’s previous attitudes, it was becoming clear that this new martial interaction was not backed by good intentions by both parties.
“However, if Prador intends to advance itself, might I recommend continuation of the progress made previously before whatever terrorist act transpired under the efforts of my predecessor?”
AngelWiings
"King Eloden died at your meeting outlander, Prador is stronger on it's own then with your help..." The man gave a long deep sigh, one that spoke without words frustration. "I am honor bound to report your offer to the next Divine Ruler. Uri'el will chose Elodens successor soon, and I have a feeling of whom it will be. If she wished to continue dealings with you, then she will." The man gave one more sigh of frustration, and continued his speech. "Leave with me how to contact you, I will pass it on."
Bluesnailok | ASN
With a stern look, Ketha nodded as some aides came forth. With nothing else left to say, the Teliran took a bow and turned. Ascending up the ramp back up to his destroyer, the Teliran murmured nonchalantly to an ADC,
“A waste of my time, and ASN money. Be sure to note it down in how future dealings are prepared with Prador. If they shall not exalt us with productive talks when appropriate and snub us, then they must not expect anything less.” Ketha bitterly pulled each of his gloves back on as he disappeared into his ship. His aides followed soon after.
Telirankind left with a bitter perception of Prador, its people, its reliability and its politics. Nonetheless, an invitation would later come through for Prador. This time, for them to come forth to the homeworld of Telirans; to experience Natar itself.