Post by EmperorMyric on Dec 16, 2017 19:36:19 GMT
“Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except yourself.”
-- Siddhārtha Gautama
--oOo--
Prime Admiral Dorin's attentions were on one matter now. It was amazing to think how quickly everything could change; where before it had been the careful management of a controlled, limited scale conflict against the Dark City Imperium, now turned to a scale most unholy even in the eyes of the Prime Admiral.
The holographic display before her showed fleets mobilizing, and she watched with apprehensions greater than she had ever before known. A thousand ships had received standing orders; targets designated, they would head to the brink of detection, and hesitate. Final verification was up to her, and it was less than two hours away.
Privately, she knew that her people might not survive this action; not as a civilization, at least. The notion that the Ascendancy might fall to ashes under her reign was a humbling one, but no worse a humbling than the thought of the Ascendancy's trillions of years of secrecy failing under her guidance. It was a choice of catastrophes, and even now when she stood so close to that precipice, her choice was uncertain.
These were innocent people, she reminded herself, while the other half of her soul reminded her that desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Prime Admiral, I'm detecting an unauthorized broadcast." A communications overseer warned abruptly, triangulating the signal through quick gestures towards an empty sky. "...it's coming from Union territory, Prime Admiral. Outlayed Flux tech, identical to the signal leading to our initial contact with the Emperor."
She was shook briefly from her contemplations of the end of the world, and glanced over at the overseer. "He's hailing us?" She asked, remembering how relations had broken down between their two factions. Since then, not a word had been exchanged between the Ascendancy and the Union of Worlds. Even then, an uneasy stand off had persisted, suggesting that the non-aggression treaty's spirit remained even after the agreement had been disadvowed.
"Play it, please." Dorin asked softly as she moved over to the holographic monitor.
The Angelic voice of Emperor Myric suddenly filled the chamber, he seemed somewhat weary but still very powerful.
"Dorin, I know you will be listening to this. I myself have viewed the future timelines and I understand what is coming. I also understand it can be averted. Negotiations broke down between our two nations due to the violent nature of your pawns and because you only chose the path of war, the path that lead to the destruction of Exceion. This path you have travelled down is once again leading to war, one that will destroy your people. You know there is a percentage of that and I’m here to tell you its more than a percentage. You know I wield great power, but more importantly have standing within the other nations including Tenebrae. You cannot afford this move; nobody can. This is what I offer, use negotiations. Stop this, stop the war and negotiate a cease fire, terms can be made. I myself have made a high communication to those empires involved in the war to only bring their most highest authority. No word of this meeting shall be revealed and what transpires will not be on record. I myself will be attending this. Yes this warrants my attention directly. I wish you and the Immortal Empire to attend. Together we can save all nations and keep your people secret. Total Destruction is not the answer, do not doubt my vision in this, remember though I broke off negotiations I have not made one move against you. Listen to me now and take my offer. Myric out"
Dorin's jaw dropped, and eyes darted around the chamber. Obscenities filled her mind like water in a sinking ship. He knew about the strike even before Deixis had had the opportunity to propose a way out for the Union; Khamood'Urr be damned, he knows what we're doing before we're doing it...
"...summon Deixis here, immediately please..."
So Deixis came, and as the clock ticked closer to midnight, frantic discussions were held. No Prime Admiral, Deixis confirmed, I was not aware of any temporal capabilities in the Union of Worlds. Yes, the Union of World did nullify the treaty, but no, they haven't taken a single offensive action against the Immortal Empire or ourselves. I'd advise we continue to treat the non-aggression treaty as standing, Prime Admiral...no, no I don't believe we can afford the conference, but you've seen the numbers for this attack too, and it will be just as devestating for us as for anyone...
Ultimately, policies and provisions were issued, and the emissary settled into the communication suite with a heavy task at hand.
--oOo--
Myric stood around the holo table on the Interceptor, he had sent the message over 5 hours ago though transmission times were somewhat long, the Nakai had moved quickly and he was waiting for an attack, he didnt have long the Nakai were an hour out and Myric had already directed reinforcements to the defeated Arcanum system. He hoped the Flux would respond soon. As if by coincidence the familiar form of a coalescing apparition started to manifest in the far end of the room.
Myric turned, he was fairly imposing as his full armoured form included his face being covered by his helmet, Though he seemed to nod at the emissary "Apology accepted."
His form solidified enough now that the specifics of his shape were evident; he leaned on his cane slightly, but a small grin on his face persisted in spite of the situation.
"The Nakai seem to be up to no good again?" He asked, realizing on his own terms that it was a sign of the times when civil war was the closest thing to discussing the weather that was available to him.
Myric nodded "They seem to be less willing to change their ways, I was hoping your people would be. Look. Before you start questioning about how I know about this event and if the Union has time tech it does not. I can see the future Deixis, small events are very hard to pick out, but such events as the one upcoming shine brightly, like a supernova amongst a galaxy of stars. I know I cut ties with you, that was to protect the Unions interests. If it wasn’t for this event i would be fighting a war on two fronts. I do not want that, but more importantly I do not want the unnecessary massacre of billions to occur, especially since I have a chance to stop it." The Emperor seemed somewhat desperate, though whether that was a side effect of the rapidly approaching battle or the actual scope of the event Deixis did not know.
Deixis frowned slightly, but it was not so much a negative expression as indication of the amount of thought that had to go into his statements here. With such grave matters to address, the emissary found the wisdom of his years fully warranted at an hour like this.
"We weren't surprised by it, nor do I hold it against you Emperor. Statesmenship is hardly a game of smiles and gumdrops, after all. It isn't really part of the business we have here to discuss at this hour, I would think. Our past isn't so much relevent now as what the future holds. On that I believe we both are in firm agreement."
Myric again nodded his face under his helmet was stern he knew the ramifacations of what was to come "Look, I know your people are not one for negotiations, at least not in the manner I am offering. But think about it, is it worth losing so many of your already dwindling race fighting the lesser races in one all or nothing attempt which might I add will damage you more than them? You could change your ways, not totally that’s not what I’m asking. But just once, sit down with those who are willing to listen and talk. This silly war can be stopped with just a few statements. obviously you will want certain terms and I’m sure they will too and that can be negotiated with. I can help barter those terms, weigh it up, a few hours in a room with ONLY the top level brass from those select races which will result in you keeping your secrecy and your race or make an all or nothing suicide charge which is doomed to fail and spend the rest of your days wishing you had taken the first option? The Nakai had the opportunity to change their ways, some did but the majority chose not too. Look where that got them, are you as bad as the Nakai? Will you listen? Or will you remain steeped in your stubborn ways until the bitter end?" Myric asked seriously.
Deixis fell silent for a moment, then asked a question which on the surface seemed hardly related to the matter at hand.
"Did Heirous ever tell you how our factions came to hate each other?" He shifted his weight on his cane as he spoke further. "It's obvious you know there was a terrible war, but has anyone ever told you how it started?"
Myric nodded. "As a matter of fact he did, obviously it was a completely biased opinion of how your race abused time technology and refused to bow before the power of Umbrea but he told me that. However I was far more intelligent to take his ramblings seriously. I asked the Library of Dreams, it didn’t give me all the information of course but from what i could tell it came down to the fact that you were both stubborn races steeped in unchangable philosophies, that naturally devolved into mistrust which then resulted in outright full scale war. A war which might I add could of bee resolved or prevented entirely by merely talking and finding compromise. I told that to Herious but naturally he dismissed it to being your peoples fault." Myric replied as if he had read this yesterday, perfect memory was both a benefit and a curse to the Emperor.
Deixis's eyes widened. "It's certainly true we're on the stubborn side, Emperor. Admittedly it was before my time, but the stories I've heard are different. The Nakai were the most beautiful race we'd ever seen before, Myric; they had devices that made us wilt with envy." Deixis' face glowed a little as he recounted the tale, and it was evident that even with the great animosity that existed between their two powers a great respect existed for them, at least from Deixis if not his civilization as a whole.
"A scouting party had managed to find this galaxy long before the rush of other powers arrived, and we were so awestruck at encountering an equal in the vastness of this galaxy that we made contact with them. There were less than a hundred thousand Nakai in that party, Myric, and it took us almost a century to drive them back out of Ancerious." He sighed, looking at the ground by his feet for a moment before looking back up at the Emperor.
"Our contact with the SSC was the third time in trillions of years that our civilization dared to attempt surviving in the open with another faction. We set ourselves up carefully with the Immortal Empire and managed to avoid disaster by offering them the keys to victory, but it was our hopes for diplomacy that have pushed us to this precipice. My prime admiral has not authorized me to accept this conference Emperor, though I will report back all you have said to her. Perhaps if we had a few hundred thousand years for our fears to cool, it would stand a better chance."
Myric shook his head. "You don’t understand, Deixis, there wont be a second chance in a few hundred thousand years. The Flux as you know it will be destroyed in a matter of hours if the attack goes ahead. The SSC are very wary of time travelers, I was granted the honour of reading some of their history by the First Prime himself, what you apparently did didn’t help the situation. They are as paranoid as you are, naturally that would cause tension. However I can forsee some sort of arrangement between you both, I can help facilitate it. As for Tenebrae they are almost like brothers to the Union, they would understand the situation. It would save billions if not trillions of lives, I know lesser races lives mean nothing for you but Dorin once said this to me: 'This is my garden. Mine to tend to.’ If she is the gardener then she should realise that plants can be made to live in harmony if the right compost is provided, the foundations for peace. Reaching for the weed killer everytime will just repeat until nothing more remains. Learn your lessons, I personally guarantee that if you attend this conference along with the IE your existence will remain 100% covered save for those who attend who might I add will be sworn to secrecy and only number one or two individuals, any who break this will ensure my intervention personally. Given the nature of the current and close future events you can see the weight of that statement. Don’t be as stubborn as the Nakai, prove you are better than them" Myric said as if he had a deeper understanding of horticulture then anyone had previously realised. "I know Dorin is watching me through you, I am no fool to that."
Even a trained and wisened emissary like Deixis bristled at the Emperor's words. Despite decades of training, the Heraldics could only cross so much of a cultural barrier, and here a key point was in contention.
"The lesser races mean a great deal to us, Emperor." He said the words carefully, with delicate evenness. "Our civilization altered the histories of this galaxy's indigenous races by moving their worlds to the far side of Ancerious, away from the colonial powers that with every moment grow stronger here off of that which was never theirs. We moved heaven and Earth at the instant we realized this galaxy was going to be receiving visitors, so that they would have a few more years of security. If I believed you understood this fully Emperor, I fear I would be insulted by your words." Deixis was not happy to be in this position, and in this he was an excellent example of the Ascendancy at this hour. Their children, their subjects, the plants in Dorin's garden, these were not considered accurately by those privy to the Ascendancy's existence. The Ascendancy would rather risk its existence than concede to watch its power wain to the point where it could no longer protect its interests from the newcoming invaders.
"...I will of course convey your words to the Prime Admiral, but I was tasked with conveying a counter proposal to you for the purposes of preserving your civilization. The Ascendancy believes strongly that it would be beneficial to this galaxy for the Union of Worlds to be in a position to fill the power vacuum created by the destruction of your neighbors. Someone must preserve parity with the Immortal Empire."
Myric listened to Deixis’ words closely and shook his head.
"You elder races seem to think you can play god with those who are less than yourselves. Instead of allowing those the choice of correction you merely take it upon yourself to decide for them in your stead. Who are you to decide who lives and dies in the Ancerious galaxy? Mark my words Deixis you are not the only oldest power in the Ancerious galaxy that I have ties to. They to do not take kindly to your actions. But I will hear out your offer all the same" Myric said slowly taking a more annoyed tone, he was frustrated that once again another elder race was choosing the wrong course of action that would lead not only to their demise but the demise of billions of other beings.
Deixis respected Myric's objections with equal regard as he respected the fact that the emperor was willing to listen to what he had to say. The Union of World held incredible promise in the Ascendancy's eyes. As long as their was a military stalemate in the northern half of the galaxy, exploration would be hampered by war efforts, and the wonders that lay to the south would remain secret and safe. If the Union of World's noble idealogy persisted, it would greatly delay if not outright prohibit the unification of the northern half under too few flags.
So Deixis proposed an unthinkable option rendered plausible only by the desperation of the hour. The Ascendancy would assist the Union of Worlds in preparing materiel reserves and reeducation centers ahead of the impending war to give the Union the greatest chance at being capable of promoting law and order through the stricken lands.
In exchange for this, and for the Union being spared from the FSEMCE activations that would ravage the stars all around them, the Ascendancy would ask the Emperor's blessings in deploying the Hush via an emergency broadcast in the Union's communications network. While the war raged around them, the Union's ears would be deafened to the madness surrounding them, and to the possibility of hearing news of the Ascendancy's existence. The war would, after all, be over in a matter of hours; by the time the Union of Worlds regained its ability to communicate, the war would be long over.
Myric unbeknownest to Deixis was pulling a disgusted face, He shook his head "You would allow my people to live while you destroy our allies with superweapons? Thinking that we would be more than willing to pick up the mess you would have left the galaxy in? You have been somewhat revealed, because of that you would destroy all life you could possibly destroy, including billions of innocent lives and women and children? All because you are afraid? Deixis this proposal disgusts me, logically it has merits. But I cannot sanction this. I can only see one reason why I would, and that would be to allow the Union contingent there to hunt you down for war crimes of horrific proportions. What makes you think destroying everything will stop your name from being remembered? if you recieved a transmission showing the name of a invisible enemy then suddenly get assaulted from all sides who would you suspect? Your people need to have a reality check. I will accept no such deal, the Union honours its aid to fight and if nessecary die alongside our allies. Mark my work Deixis if this attack goes ahead, and trust me when I say I know when, every Union ship in Ancerious space will be ready, we are already on war footing standby. I will say this again I offer peace, if you reject it you will have proven yourself to be as ignorant as the Nakai!" Myric said angrily.
Truth be told, Deixis had not expected the proposal would be well recieved; in fact, while this had not endeared him to Dorin and would certainly not have gained him any favour with Myric, he was of the belief that the deal itself should not have been offered. But he was only an emissary (what a thing to say! Only an emissary, only a Heraldic...) and as such his actions were dictated by the authorities above him.
Authority singular, really. Being Dorin.
"I understand you, Emperor. I shall tell the Prime Admiral of your proposal and that the Union of Worlds has declined her offer." He bowed respectfully, a strange sign of respect when such distasteful options were being proposed to each other. The Ascendancy was at a juncture where it could choose to abandon everything it stood for or perish in defense of everything they'd ever known, and at that hour Dorin nor Deixis nor Pallam truly knew where they stood.
Myric was silent for a moment until he went to speak, when he did it was quiet and unexpected, full of calm... Deixis swore he could feel genuine care in the next statement.
"Deixis... Before you leave let me tell you something. I admire the Flux, you keep to your beliefs even in the events of your races demise, a demise that could be averted in changing what you stand for. I can tell you are not 100% happy about coming here, that much has been obvious. Look. When a being reaches a precipice it becomes two choices, you fly or fall. When faced with destruction those with pride in themselves take to flight they become something more, maybe not totally different but better than the sum before. But your people, they are choosing to fall, and drag down those who fly down with you, when you yourselves could easily fly. I believe you can change. I truly do, and I want you to know that if you do change and better yourselves you can count me as a friend, not an ally but as someone who will be willing to listen and perhaps help. Its up to you whether to attend the conference but if you don’t then at least send the Immortal Empire, the war can be settled in peace, trust me you don’t have to fall. All you need to do is jump and have a little faith." Myric said nodding.
With that the Emperor and the Emissary were alerted to an alarm sounding all over the Interceptor, The automated voice of the ships AI sounded through the room "Enemy conacts entering system in 2 minutes all hands to their stations. Detecting 1 Nakai Or'Dainen class battleship 3 Or'Yoss class cruisers, 12 Or'Xa Corvettes" Myric frowned under his helmet.
"I have to go, I have quite a handful.”
With that the Emperor walked off to fight coincidentally the Ascendancy’s ancient enemy.
-- Siddhārtha Gautama
--oOo--
Prime Admiral Dorin's attentions were on one matter now. It was amazing to think how quickly everything could change; where before it had been the careful management of a controlled, limited scale conflict against the Dark City Imperium, now turned to a scale most unholy even in the eyes of the Prime Admiral.
The holographic display before her showed fleets mobilizing, and she watched with apprehensions greater than she had ever before known. A thousand ships had received standing orders; targets designated, they would head to the brink of detection, and hesitate. Final verification was up to her, and it was less than two hours away.
Privately, she knew that her people might not survive this action; not as a civilization, at least. The notion that the Ascendancy might fall to ashes under her reign was a humbling one, but no worse a humbling than the thought of the Ascendancy's trillions of years of secrecy failing under her guidance. It was a choice of catastrophes, and even now when she stood so close to that precipice, her choice was uncertain.
These were innocent people, she reminded herself, while the other half of her soul reminded her that desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Prime Admiral, I'm detecting an unauthorized broadcast." A communications overseer warned abruptly, triangulating the signal through quick gestures towards an empty sky. "...it's coming from Union territory, Prime Admiral. Outlayed Flux tech, identical to the signal leading to our initial contact with the Emperor."
She was shook briefly from her contemplations of the end of the world, and glanced over at the overseer. "He's hailing us?" She asked, remembering how relations had broken down between their two factions. Since then, not a word had been exchanged between the Ascendancy and the Union of Worlds. Even then, an uneasy stand off had persisted, suggesting that the non-aggression treaty's spirit remained even after the agreement had been disadvowed.
"Play it, please." Dorin asked softly as she moved over to the holographic monitor.
The Angelic voice of Emperor Myric suddenly filled the chamber, he seemed somewhat weary but still very powerful.
"Dorin, I know you will be listening to this. I myself have viewed the future timelines and I understand what is coming. I also understand it can be averted. Negotiations broke down between our two nations due to the violent nature of your pawns and because you only chose the path of war, the path that lead to the destruction of Exceion. This path you have travelled down is once again leading to war, one that will destroy your people. You know there is a percentage of that and I’m here to tell you its more than a percentage. You know I wield great power, but more importantly have standing within the other nations including Tenebrae. You cannot afford this move; nobody can. This is what I offer, use negotiations. Stop this, stop the war and negotiate a cease fire, terms can be made. I myself have made a high communication to those empires involved in the war to only bring their most highest authority. No word of this meeting shall be revealed and what transpires will not be on record. I myself will be attending this. Yes this warrants my attention directly. I wish you and the Immortal Empire to attend. Together we can save all nations and keep your people secret. Total Destruction is not the answer, do not doubt my vision in this, remember though I broke off negotiations I have not made one move against you. Listen to me now and take my offer. Myric out"
Dorin's jaw dropped, and eyes darted around the chamber. Obscenities filled her mind like water in a sinking ship. He knew about the strike even before Deixis had had the opportunity to propose a way out for the Union; Khamood'Urr be damned, he knows what we're doing before we're doing it...
"...summon Deixis here, immediately please..."
So Deixis came, and as the clock ticked closer to midnight, frantic discussions were held. No Prime Admiral, Deixis confirmed, I was not aware of any temporal capabilities in the Union of Worlds. Yes, the Union of World did nullify the treaty, but no, they haven't taken a single offensive action against the Immortal Empire or ourselves. I'd advise we continue to treat the non-aggression treaty as standing, Prime Admiral...no, no I don't believe we can afford the conference, but you've seen the numbers for this attack too, and it will be just as devestating for us as for anyone...
Ultimately, policies and provisions were issued, and the emissary settled into the communication suite with a heavy task at hand.
--oOo--
Myric stood around the holo table on the Interceptor, he had sent the message over 5 hours ago though transmission times were somewhat long, the Nakai had moved quickly and he was waiting for an attack, he didnt have long the Nakai were an hour out and Myric had already directed reinforcements to the defeated Arcanum system. He hoped the Flux would respond soon. As if by coincidence the familiar form of a coalescing apparition started to manifest in the far end of the room.
Myric turned, he was fairly imposing as his full armoured form included his face being covered by his helmet, Though he seemed to nod at the emissary "Apology accepted."
His form solidified enough now that the specifics of his shape were evident; he leaned on his cane slightly, but a small grin on his face persisted in spite of the situation.
"The Nakai seem to be up to no good again?" He asked, realizing on his own terms that it was a sign of the times when civil war was the closest thing to discussing the weather that was available to him.
Myric nodded "They seem to be less willing to change their ways, I was hoping your people would be. Look. Before you start questioning about how I know about this event and if the Union has time tech it does not. I can see the future Deixis, small events are very hard to pick out, but such events as the one upcoming shine brightly, like a supernova amongst a galaxy of stars. I know I cut ties with you, that was to protect the Unions interests. If it wasn’t for this event i would be fighting a war on two fronts. I do not want that, but more importantly I do not want the unnecessary massacre of billions to occur, especially since I have a chance to stop it." The Emperor seemed somewhat desperate, though whether that was a side effect of the rapidly approaching battle or the actual scope of the event Deixis did not know.
Deixis frowned slightly, but it was not so much a negative expression as indication of the amount of thought that had to go into his statements here. With such grave matters to address, the emissary found the wisdom of his years fully warranted at an hour like this.
"We weren't surprised by it, nor do I hold it against you Emperor. Statesmenship is hardly a game of smiles and gumdrops, after all. It isn't really part of the business we have here to discuss at this hour, I would think. Our past isn't so much relevent now as what the future holds. On that I believe we both are in firm agreement."
Myric again nodded his face under his helmet was stern he knew the ramifacations of what was to come "Look, I know your people are not one for negotiations, at least not in the manner I am offering. But think about it, is it worth losing so many of your already dwindling race fighting the lesser races in one all or nothing attempt which might I add will damage you more than them? You could change your ways, not totally that’s not what I’m asking. But just once, sit down with those who are willing to listen and talk. This silly war can be stopped with just a few statements. obviously you will want certain terms and I’m sure they will too and that can be negotiated with. I can help barter those terms, weigh it up, a few hours in a room with ONLY the top level brass from those select races which will result in you keeping your secrecy and your race or make an all or nothing suicide charge which is doomed to fail and spend the rest of your days wishing you had taken the first option? The Nakai had the opportunity to change their ways, some did but the majority chose not too. Look where that got them, are you as bad as the Nakai? Will you listen? Or will you remain steeped in your stubborn ways until the bitter end?" Myric asked seriously.
Deixis fell silent for a moment, then asked a question which on the surface seemed hardly related to the matter at hand.
"Did Heirous ever tell you how our factions came to hate each other?" He shifted his weight on his cane as he spoke further. "It's obvious you know there was a terrible war, but has anyone ever told you how it started?"
Myric nodded. "As a matter of fact he did, obviously it was a completely biased opinion of how your race abused time technology and refused to bow before the power of Umbrea but he told me that. However I was far more intelligent to take his ramblings seriously. I asked the Library of Dreams, it didn’t give me all the information of course but from what i could tell it came down to the fact that you were both stubborn races steeped in unchangable philosophies, that naturally devolved into mistrust which then resulted in outright full scale war. A war which might I add could of bee resolved or prevented entirely by merely talking and finding compromise. I told that to Herious but naturally he dismissed it to being your peoples fault." Myric replied as if he had read this yesterday, perfect memory was both a benefit and a curse to the Emperor.
Deixis's eyes widened. "It's certainly true we're on the stubborn side, Emperor. Admittedly it was before my time, but the stories I've heard are different. The Nakai were the most beautiful race we'd ever seen before, Myric; they had devices that made us wilt with envy." Deixis' face glowed a little as he recounted the tale, and it was evident that even with the great animosity that existed between their two powers a great respect existed for them, at least from Deixis if not his civilization as a whole.
"A scouting party had managed to find this galaxy long before the rush of other powers arrived, and we were so awestruck at encountering an equal in the vastness of this galaxy that we made contact with them. There were less than a hundred thousand Nakai in that party, Myric, and it took us almost a century to drive them back out of Ancerious." He sighed, looking at the ground by his feet for a moment before looking back up at the Emperor.
"Our contact with the SSC was the third time in trillions of years that our civilization dared to attempt surviving in the open with another faction. We set ourselves up carefully with the Immortal Empire and managed to avoid disaster by offering them the keys to victory, but it was our hopes for diplomacy that have pushed us to this precipice. My prime admiral has not authorized me to accept this conference Emperor, though I will report back all you have said to her. Perhaps if we had a few hundred thousand years for our fears to cool, it would stand a better chance."
Myric shook his head. "You don’t understand, Deixis, there wont be a second chance in a few hundred thousand years. The Flux as you know it will be destroyed in a matter of hours if the attack goes ahead. The SSC are very wary of time travelers, I was granted the honour of reading some of their history by the First Prime himself, what you apparently did didn’t help the situation. They are as paranoid as you are, naturally that would cause tension. However I can forsee some sort of arrangement between you both, I can help facilitate it. As for Tenebrae they are almost like brothers to the Union, they would understand the situation. It would save billions if not trillions of lives, I know lesser races lives mean nothing for you but Dorin once said this to me: 'This is my garden. Mine to tend to.’ If she is the gardener then she should realise that plants can be made to live in harmony if the right compost is provided, the foundations for peace. Reaching for the weed killer everytime will just repeat until nothing more remains. Learn your lessons, I personally guarantee that if you attend this conference along with the IE your existence will remain 100% covered save for those who attend who might I add will be sworn to secrecy and only number one or two individuals, any who break this will ensure my intervention personally. Given the nature of the current and close future events you can see the weight of that statement. Don’t be as stubborn as the Nakai, prove you are better than them" Myric said as if he had a deeper understanding of horticulture then anyone had previously realised. "I know Dorin is watching me through you, I am no fool to that."
Even a trained and wisened emissary like Deixis bristled at the Emperor's words. Despite decades of training, the Heraldics could only cross so much of a cultural barrier, and here a key point was in contention.
"The lesser races mean a great deal to us, Emperor." He said the words carefully, with delicate evenness. "Our civilization altered the histories of this galaxy's indigenous races by moving their worlds to the far side of Ancerious, away from the colonial powers that with every moment grow stronger here off of that which was never theirs. We moved heaven and Earth at the instant we realized this galaxy was going to be receiving visitors, so that they would have a few more years of security. If I believed you understood this fully Emperor, I fear I would be insulted by your words." Deixis was not happy to be in this position, and in this he was an excellent example of the Ascendancy at this hour. Their children, their subjects, the plants in Dorin's garden, these were not considered accurately by those privy to the Ascendancy's existence. The Ascendancy would rather risk its existence than concede to watch its power wain to the point where it could no longer protect its interests from the newcoming invaders.
"...I will of course convey your words to the Prime Admiral, but I was tasked with conveying a counter proposal to you for the purposes of preserving your civilization. The Ascendancy believes strongly that it would be beneficial to this galaxy for the Union of Worlds to be in a position to fill the power vacuum created by the destruction of your neighbors. Someone must preserve parity with the Immortal Empire."
Myric listened to Deixis’ words closely and shook his head.
"You elder races seem to think you can play god with those who are less than yourselves. Instead of allowing those the choice of correction you merely take it upon yourself to decide for them in your stead. Who are you to decide who lives and dies in the Ancerious galaxy? Mark my words Deixis you are not the only oldest power in the Ancerious galaxy that I have ties to. They to do not take kindly to your actions. But I will hear out your offer all the same" Myric said slowly taking a more annoyed tone, he was frustrated that once again another elder race was choosing the wrong course of action that would lead not only to their demise but the demise of billions of other beings.
Deixis respected Myric's objections with equal regard as he respected the fact that the emperor was willing to listen to what he had to say. The Union of World held incredible promise in the Ascendancy's eyes. As long as their was a military stalemate in the northern half of the galaxy, exploration would be hampered by war efforts, and the wonders that lay to the south would remain secret and safe. If the Union of World's noble idealogy persisted, it would greatly delay if not outright prohibit the unification of the northern half under too few flags.
So Deixis proposed an unthinkable option rendered plausible only by the desperation of the hour. The Ascendancy would assist the Union of Worlds in preparing materiel reserves and reeducation centers ahead of the impending war to give the Union the greatest chance at being capable of promoting law and order through the stricken lands.
In exchange for this, and for the Union being spared from the FSEMCE activations that would ravage the stars all around them, the Ascendancy would ask the Emperor's blessings in deploying the Hush via an emergency broadcast in the Union's communications network. While the war raged around them, the Union's ears would be deafened to the madness surrounding them, and to the possibility of hearing news of the Ascendancy's existence. The war would, after all, be over in a matter of hours; by the time the Union of Worlds regained its ability to communicate, the war would be long over.
Myric unbeknownest to Deixis was pulling a disgusted face, He shook his head "You would allow my people to live while you destroy our allies with superweapons? Thinking that we would be more than willing to pick up the mess you would have left the galaxy in? You have been somewhat revealed, because of that you would destroy all life you could possibly destroy, including billions of innocent lives and women and children? All because you are afraid? Deixis this proposal disgusts me, logically it has merits. But I cannot sanction this. I can only see one reason why I would, and that would be to allow the Union contingent there to hunt you down for war crimes of horrific proportions. What makes you think destroying everything will stop your name from being remembered? if you recieved a transmission showing the name of a invisible enemy then suddenly get assaulted from all sides who would you suspect? Your people need to have a reality check. I will accept no such deal, the Union honours its aid to fight and if nessecary die alongside our allies. Mark my work Deixis if this attack goes ahead, and trust me when I say I know when, every Union ship in Ancerious space will be ready, we are already on war footing standby. I will say this again I offer peace, if you reject it you will have proven yourself to be as ignorant as the Nakai!" Myric said angrily.
Truth be told, Deixis had not expected the proposal would be well recieved; in fact, while this had not endeared him to Dorin and would certainly not have gained him any favour with Myric, he was of the belief that the deal itself should not have been offered. But he was only an emissary (what a thing to say! Only an emissary, only a Heraldic...) and as such his actions were dictated by the authorities above him.
Authority singular, really. Being Dorin.
"I understand you, Emperor. I shall tell the Prime Admiral of your proposal and that the Union of Worlds has declined her offer." He bowed respectfully, a strange sign of respect when such distasteful options were being proposed to each other. The Ascendancy was at a juncture where it could choose to abandon everything it stood for or perish in defense of everything they'd ever known, and at that hour Dorin nor Deixis nor Pallam truly knew where they stood.
Myric was silent for a moment until he went to speak, when he did it was quiet and unexpected, full of calm... Deixis swore he could feel genuine care in the next statement.
"Deixis... Before you leave let me tell you something. I admire the Flux, you keep to your beliefs even in the events of your races demise, a demise that could be averted in changing what you stand for. I can tell you are not 100% happy about coming here, that much has been obvious. Look. When a being reaches a precipice it becomes two choices, you fly or fall. When faced with destruction those with pride in themselves take to flight they become something more, maybe not totally different but better than the sum before. But your people, they are choosing to fall, and drag down those who fly down with you, when you yourselves could easily fly. I believe you can change. I truly do, and I want you to know that if you do change and better yourselves you can count me as a friend, not an ally but as someone who will be willing to listen and perhaps help. Its up to you whether to attend the conference but if you don’t then at least send the Immortal Empire, the war can be settled in peace, trust me you don’t have to fall. All you need to do is jump and have a little faith." Myric said nodding.
With that the Emperor and the Emissary were alerted to an alarm sounding all over the Interceptor, The automated voice of the ships AI sounded through the room "Enemy conacts entering system in 2 minutes all hands to their stations. Detecting 1 Nakai Or'Dainen class battleship 3 Or'Yoss class cruisers, 12 Or'Xa Corvettes" Myric frowned under his helmet.
"I have to go, I have quite a handful.”
With that the Emperor walked off to fight coincidentally the Ascendancy’s ancient enemy.