Post by EmperorMyric on Jan 22, 2022 11:36:19 GMT
The Athenaeum: Askandar
Things were not optimal.
It had been nearly 20 years since Elwar had awoken from his nightmare and found a galaxy much changed from the one he had been created in. All the nations and species he knew were gone bar only a handful, even then they were nothing akin to what they were. He had to rapidly adjust, and in time had managed to do so, reverting to his original core purpose to guide him. To protect, keep the peace and guide.
He had done that for a while now in this modern galaxy, helping to fight wars against threats, aided in defeating the interdimensional Shadows, assisted in founding the UNA and helping to build a thriving system in which now millions of refugees from across the galaxy had managed to come. All while delving deeper into himself and unlocking new purpose within his base code.
Askandar as such was now a gleaming beacon of stability and hope in a galactic region which was for the most part peaceful and without issue.
And yet, the galaxy was spiraling down the drain.
Endless calculations and simulations were running in the titanic Dawnstone computer systems of the Athenaeum, the monumental megastructure that enveloped Askandars star. But even so, they were much reduced from several months ago. Ancerium supplies were becoming harder to get hold of and the Ancnet was becoming unreliable, causing temporary connection blackouts to the Askandar Rhizome. All the while Elwar was constantly having to reconfigure processes as systems experienced black outs or were temporarily shut down due to fuel shortages. Each time he did it felt like looking at a portion of himself, and now that he was much more capable it was starting to irritate him.
He had much more important work going on than the galaxy being at each other's throats over a difference in simple ideology. Things had made sense when Yog Narr had struck Zarathustra, with Elwar immediately pledging a major contingent of his space forces to help lead any intervention in the CGSS, but that had rapidly disappeared when Orillia and much of the natives had merely blamed the Union and colonials before walking out.
Elwar still saw the argument from Orillia as ridiculous. They blamed the colonials for their problems and yet everywhere he turned he saw Native species prospering and using the colonials for their own mutual advantage. Of course there were bad examples, but Elwar believed in peace and stability, and despite the two galactic wars which he did not take part in the galaxy had been much improved with outside presence. The belligerence towards diplomacy from Orillia and this new alliance CONA was reprehensible, but the sheer chaotic nature of SAGA was also less than ideal.
It was Elwars prime directive to ensure peace and prosperity in his region, but it was only a matter of time before such an ideological war came. But then, it was already here, in the minds of his population and across countless worlds. Ideological conflicts were always the hardest. But regardless he would do as he had always done.
Askan City: Askandar
“Elwar, I need to talk to you”
The comment was to thin air, but as soon as it ended a fully holographic avatar of the being appeared before her.
“Madam President. What can I help you with?”
Tadraith Vernin sighed as she surveyed the data before her. Askandar had come a long way from the small refugee colony it had started out with, now with major cities dotted across its surface the harsh and dusty landscape of the planet had been finally terraformed entirely into a lush and beautiful world. It had prospered economically too, with the Askandar Rhizome hosted in the megastructure above countless investment and marketing had taken place here and had allowed the population along with Elwar to construct vast particle accelerators and foundries to create large amounts of Dawnstone. Both for Elwars own constructs but also to export. Askandar had seen a true golden age.
But now it was slipping.
Dawnstone production was down almost 62% thanks to Ancerium shortages, and investments as well as Rhizome activity were heavily reduced since the economic crash. Thankfully Askandar was well off compared to many other locations, it was still extremely wealthy, and the Dawnstone colliders had been easily configured to produce artificial Ancerium which was helping to alleviate some of the issues, but far from all.
“With everything going on things are very tense at the moment. The population are unsure what a galactic war means for them, and now that Corona is moving on the corridor all our futures could change.”
“We will do everything we can to alleviate issues, and I am not above sending my own forces to assist in opening the corridor up to all nations. Already I have plans to create another two accelerators which should lessen the fuel load to the Athenaeum allowing for your own trade fleets to operate much further for a fraction of the cost” Despite the reassurance the president didnt look convinced.
“Thank you Elwar, everything you have done for us has been substantial. But what I think the population needs is for you to tell them your stance on this conflict” She stared up at the hologram as it cocked its head to one side.
“My stance is the same as it has always been Madam President, to keep this region safe and secure for all who inhabit it, and to ensure that the galaxy is protected” Despite Elwars hyper advanced nature and new abilities, she could forget how naive he was.
“I mean in regards to CONA and SAGA. There are those within the population who believe we should back Orillia, given your very existence you could be a massive beacon if you supported CONA, meanwhile if you help SAGA it would show that the colonials are not all bad. A native ancient AI supporting the colonials would instead embolden those who see Orillia as a threat. We have supporters of both within the population, campaigning and speaking their minds. Everyone is confused, they wish for you to make your stance clear” The comment made Elwar look deep in thought.
“Interesting. The population expect me to declare for a side, or if not to ensure my position is concrete”
“Yes, that's exactly it. They are confused and unsure where you, and by likely extension, us, stand in the way of things”
“If I declare for either side then I put us as a risky target for either side. I do not know if that is beneficial to you and the people”
“Not taking a side or stance however could lean into rioting and insecurity in the long run”
“You are correct. I will deliberate on this”
“Can I hear your thoughts now? I will not disseminate them but I want to see what you think”
“Of course. As of now I am unsure on both sides. Orillia is a belligerent threat to galactic security, and their ideological rhetoric is both supremacist and dangerous. They use it liberally and CONA feels more like a power grab for Orillia than a legitimate force to help improve native rights. Constricting the corridor may not affect us due to our native nature but it cripples the lives of many needlessly. I believe CONA and Orillia to be a true threat. However SAGA is too reactionary. It has no goal other than to stop CONA and Orillia and secure the corridor for all. I can back their objectives for now, but their lack of cohesion and some of their members are questionable at best. While I would prefer to take a neutral stance I feel like this war will force our hand. And out of the two I would rather fight for a future for all races and peoples than a supremacist ideal built around a fallacy.” Elwars voice was laced with annoyance and contemplation, a far cry from the emotionless AI he once was. Tadraith was happy for that.
“I see. Thank you Elwar, I will let you make the announcement on your own terms. I am sure you have much to do and oversee”
“Of course Madam President, it is an honor as always. Thank you for bringing these key points to my attention."
Askandar System: Elwar Custodian Space
“My people and friends. The state of the galaxy is one of uncertainty and instability. Truly a dire straight in which we find ourselves. I had wished to remain neutral, a party which could provide regional stability and assistance, but in my nature I must protect the galaxy from threats that by their very nature, pose a risk to myself, those I protect and the galaxy proper.”
“As such I must declare myself to be joining the Second Ancerious Galactic Alliance. And I implore any who are neutral and respect me to do so. CONAs cause is a brave one, to stand up for more native rights in the galaxy, and this is something I will continue to fight for regardless of who I support. However Orillia is a dangerous supremacist and ideological threat, who is more interested in using you than helping you. The closing of the corridor to all colonials is simply a threat to life everywhere, and I will immediately pledge my forces in its reopening. I will of course remain completely cordial with any native and CONA nation that wishes to keep open relations with me. My fight is with Orillia, not with those who merely wish to improve themselves.”
“Times are changing. And we must change with them. But I will always fight for peace and stability. I thank you for your understanding and time, and I wish this coming conflict to be averted or to be over quickly. May diplomacy win out in the end.”
Even as Elwars speech traveled around Askandar itself he could observe rising tensions in the population. This will be a tense next few months.