Post by EmperorMyric on Dec 16, 2017 18:19:18 GMT
Myric yawned; it had been another busy day. The gradual grind of politics was as boring as it was necessary but who else would run an empire of such size? He stood in his personal quarters, at the top of the Imperial Palace. He stared out of the glass windows which circled the room, looking at the amazing vista of earth at sunset. The starscrapers and buildings shining radiantly. Myric was bare, he only wore a shirt and some casual trousers; there was no need for formality here. He was waiting for his wife to turn up so they could go training together when he felt something, it wasn’t his wife, and he had felt it before... Far too recently...
Abruptly, the intercom rang. Myric moved quickly over to it and tapped it.
“Yes?” He asked, “What is it?”
“We have three intruders here, sir!” The voice of a guard replied frantically. “They…well, sir…”
“Yes?” Myric asked again as he grabbed his halberd and prepared to engage the intruders.
“…they seem to think they have a right to an audience with you. That and they’ve disarmed me and are asking that you call off the rest of the guards.”
"What!?" Myric turned and headed for the lift, he didn’t have time for armour but he summoned Shadowsong to his side... Nobody had ever infiltrated the Imperial Palace apart from Sotek before... he replied "I’m on my way!"
Following a few moments rushing, Myric arrived at the scene; surrounded by almost three dozen guards were three figures and the unfortunate captive. Myric recognized the robes of one of them; they were identical to those of the apparition that had visited him at that lonely asteroid outpost earlier. The other two were formidable looking warriors, who, truth be told, didn’t smell all that well. Myric soon after noticed the tiny tendrils of flesh protruding from their armour, and realized that was the source.
The robed figure bowed immediately as did the guards, and the guards released their captive. "My apologies, Emperor Myric! The guards did not recognize us, and would not allow us an audience. We have done no harm to any of yours, but we feared for our wellbeing on account of their vigilance."
"Understandable, I apologies but you really need to announce yourselves before coming" He dematerialised Shadowsong and beckoned the figures towards a nearby conference hall. "What can I do for you? I suppose it is pretty serious you showing up here in person, considering you wouldn’t even turn up in form for our first contact" Myric said rubbing his chin, he then sat down at a table and nodded to the robed figure to do the same.
“We did, my lord, but it goes without saying that they did not recognize us or our arrangement.” Myric’s guards closed the doors to the great hall, giving them privacy.
“I came here at great risk, I must confess.” The robed figure began pensively. “I am Droth, and I will, in time, become the emissary to the Union of Worlds.” The man had piercingly clear eyes and a definitely hunted look to him. “I would have come alone had it seemed safe to do so…I come bearing heavy news for your ears, and I desire to speak them to you now.”
Myrics eyes narrowed; something serious indeed. "It’s a pleasure to meet you Droth I confess it does make me feel better seeing one of your kind in person and to know you exist fully, and heavy news? Please inform me" Myric said leaning back on the truly massive chair clearly made for a being like him.
Droth slowly descended into his seat; his two guards, silent as ever, slipped into the room’s background. “You intend to wage war upon the Immortal Empire.” He said gravely, with a decidedly weary expression on his face.
"Why yes we intend to, they attacked and our great ally the Tenebrae Imperium and destroyed their worlds, slaughtering thousands. We will take action against both them and the Capitol forces that have recently attacked us" Myric frowned "Why?"
Droth swallowed, and then spoke. “You recall the terms of our treaty were that the Flux Ascendancy would not alter the timeline of the Union of Worlds in exchange for non-interference of your forces with those in our command…the Immortal Empire is of our command, Emperor Myric…and I come from a future where our treaty fell to pieces by accident. When your forces attack the Immortal Empire, they are dreadfully effective…and they call upon us as allies to protect them. My lord, you must hold your forces off…lest a war emerge that makes the Nakai’s fights seem trivial.”
Myrics face dropped... The Ascendancy was behind this? They were the ones who were attacking the D.C.I? Myric felt conflicted emotions, pure hot rage ran through him all at once but he contained it, to fight would mean to create a conflict so terrible that creation may be damaged... Myric hesitated but decided to ask. "Why? Why attack the D.C.I?"
Myric almost believed that there were tears in Droth’s eyes as he spoke. “At the Great Confrontation, we fought a great number of the walking dead, and once the battle was done the gods abandoned us. They had no more need of their creation, and they left us to our fate.” Droth had an incredibly tired look to his eyes as he told his tale. “The Council of Five feared that the survivors would invariably discover our presence, and in their fear they chose to remove them before they removed us. Emperor, I…I have betrayed my own people to tell you this. In the future I come from, the Ascendancy has become divided, and I expect they shall shortly tear the galaxy apart and divide what’s left amongst themselves. This war, and their fears…have driven them mad.”
"So..." The Emperor said somewhat amazed and confused "This current faction is insane? And that your from the so called 'good' faction?"
Droth shook his head emphatically. “No, no they are terribly sane. They know precisely what they are doing. But at the present, in your time, they are held back by two things: their desire to remain hidden, and their confidence in their ability to manage this conflict. They hold back from unleashing madness as they see no use for it; but when they become revealed they bring unthinkable weapons to the field. They will not tolerate those who know of them but will not agree to their terms. In my future, the faction is divided between those who wish to retreat into the galactic core and allow time to erase our presence…and those who feel that the Ascendancy is obligated to annihilate all the powers which know of us and wage war upon us and our servants.”
"And which faction are you Droth?" Said the Emperor slowly wincing.
“I wish us to vanish. We have spent such time guiding the development of this galaxy that it would be heresy to destroy it with unlimited war. But Dorin’s forces feel that subtlety is no longer called for.”
The Emperor turned to stare at Droth "If I engage the Ascendancy and it splits, do I have the support of your faction? If I do then I will help you crush the separatists" The Emperor said sternly. "I am not willing to let one of the Unions best and most loyal allies be attacked without response even if it is by your people" he added.
Droth’s eyes got slightly wider, and he laughed softly. “Emperor Myric, *we* are the separatists. One thing the Ascendancy never will do will be to fight their own; we are far too scarce a people to waste blood. When I said that the Ascendancy was preparing to tear the galaxy apart and divide it amongst themselves, I meant it literally; they intend to cut the galaxy in half physically, and give half to us and half to Dorin’s faction.”
The Emperor raised his eyebrow "So even if I do try to support your faction you will not aid us? You will not even help us in trying to achieve the very goals you wish? Surely you know that if their faction is warlike the next step after that would be total domination. That much is obvious"
Droth nodded in understanding. "But if the Ascendancy is not attacked by the Union, Dorin will not gain the popularity that leads to her rise to power. The moderates will retain control of the Ascendancy, and keep this war as terrible as it becomes under control. Dorin lusts for blood; the Ascendancy fights to maintain its secrecy. It is not that we will not aide you, Emperor; it is that if you do not attack, our civilization will remain stable and monsters like Dorin will not take power."
Myric stood pondering; his decision alone would decide the fate of two or more empires and billions of lives in the process "I have made my decision..." He said nodding his head heavily.
Droth was silent for a moment, before asking the obvious question. "Will you keep Dorin from dooming us all?"
The Emperor with a moment of silence answered the question "We will. We shall keep out of the fight, we will however offer humanitarian aid to our allies and provide non-combat assistance that will be provided whether you like it or not. Other than that I agree, Dorin should not come to power, May creation have mercy on me for my decision..." He said with a heavy heart.
Droth collapsed to his knees and sighed with relief. "I thank you so greatly for this, Emperor. The universe owes you a great deal. To think the universe will never know the horrors of what could have been..."
"Indeed, but Droth... Make sure the horrors that now have to take place are controlled, if I find that the Ascendancy steps out of line there will be no timeline safe for any of you... I must contact the Tenebrae Imperium at once. I have to explain my actions" Myric said heavily.
Abruptly, the intercom rang. Myric moved quickly over to it and tapped it.
“Yes?” He asked, “What is it?”
“We have three intruders here, sir!” The voice of a guard replied frantically. “They…well, sir…”
“Yes?” Myric asked again as he grabbed his halberd and prepared to engage the intruders.
“…they seem to think they have a right to an audience with you. That and they’ve disarmed me and are asking that you call off the rest of the guards.”
"What!?" Myric turned and headed for the lift, he didn’t have time for armour but he summoned Shadowsong to his side... Nobody had ever infiltrated the Imperial Palace apart from Sotek before... he replied "I’m on my way!"
Following a few moments rushing, Myric arrived at the scene; surrounded by almost three dozen guards were three figures and the unfortunate captive. Myric recognized the robes of one of them; they were identical to those of the apparition that had visited him at that lonely asteroid outpost earlier. The other two were formidable looking warriors, who, truth be told, didn’t smell all that well. Myric soon after noticed the tiny tendrils of flesh protruding from their armour, and realized that was the source.
The robed figure bowed immediately as did the guards, and the guards released their captive. "My apologies, Emperor Myric! The guards did not recognize us, and would not allow us an audience. We have done no harm to any of yours, but we feared for our wellbeing on account of their vigilance."
"Understandable, I apologies but you really need to announce yourselves before coming" He dematerialised Shadowsong and beckoned the figures towards a nearby conference hall. "What can I do for you? I suppose it is pretty serious you showing up here in person, considering you wouldn’t even turn up in form for our first contact" Myric said rubbing his chin, he then sat down at a table and nodded to the robed figure to do the same.
“We did, my lord, but it goes without saying that they did not recognize us or our arrangement.” Myric’s guards closed the doors to the great hall, giving them privacy.
“I came here at great risk, I must confess.” The robed figure began pensively. “I am Droth, and I will, in time, become the emissary to the Union of Worlds.” The man had piercingly clear eyes and a definitely hunted look to him. “I would have come alone had it seemed safe to do so…I come bearing heavy news for your ears, and I desire to speak them to you now.”
Myrics eyes narrowed; something serious indeed. "It’s a pleasure to meet you Droth I confess it does make me feel better seeing one of your kind in person and to know you exist fully, and heavy news? Please inform me" Myric said leaning back on the truly massive chair clearly made for a being like him.
Droth slowly descended into his seat; his two guards, silent as ever, slipped into the room’s background. “You intend to wage war upon the Immortal Empire.” He said gravely, with a decidedly weary expression on his face.
"Why yes we intend to, they attacked and our great ally the Tenebrae Imperium and destroyed their worlds, slaughtering thousands. We will take action against both them and the Capitol forces that have recently attacked us" Myric frowned "Why?"
Droth swallowed, and then spoke. “You recall the terms of our treaty were that the Flux Ascendancy would not alter the timeline of the Union of Worlds in exchange for non-interference of your forces with those in our command…the Immortal Empire is of our command, Emperor Myric…and I come from a future where our treaty fell to pieces by accident. When your forces attack the Immortal Empire, they are dreadfully effective…and they call upon us as allies to protect them. My lord, you must hold your forces off…lest a war emerge that makes the Nakai’s fights seem trivial.”
Myrics face dropped... The Ascendancy was behind this? They were the ones who were attacking the D.C.I? Myric felt conflicted emotions, pure hot rage ran through him all at once but he contained it, to fight would mean to create a conflict so terrible that creation may be damaged... Myric hesitated but decided to ask. "Why? Why attack the D.C.I?"
Myric almost believed that there were tears in Droth’s eyes as he spoke. “At the Great Confrontation, we fought a great number of the walking dead, and once the battle was done the gods abandoned us. They had no more need of their creation, and they left us to our fate.” Droth had an incredibly tired look to his eyes as he told his tale. “The Council of Five feared that the survivors would invariably discover our presence, and in their fear they chose to remove them before they removed us. Emperor, I…I have betrayed my own people to tell you this. In the future I come from, the Ascendancy has become divided, and I expect they shall shortly tear the galaxy apart and divide what’s left amongst themselves. This war, and their fears…have driven them mad.”
"So..." The Emperor said somewhat amazed and confused "This current faction is insane? And that your from the so called 'good' faction?"
Droth shook his head emphatically. “No, no they are terribly sane. They know precisely what they are doing. But at the present, in your time, they are held back by two things: their desire to remain hidden, and their confidence in their ability to manage this conflict. They hold back from unleashing madness as they see no use for it; but when they become revealed they bring unthinkable weapons to the field. They will not tolerate those who know of them but will not agree to their terms. In my future, the faction is divided between those who wish to retreat into the galactic core and allow time to erase our presence…and those who feel that the Ascendancy is obligated to annihilate all the powers which know of us and wage war upon us and our servants.”
"And which faction are you Droth?" Said the Emperor slowly wincing.
“I wish us to vanish. We have spent such time guiding the development of this galaxy that it would be heresy to destroy it with unlimited war. But Dorin’s forces feel that subtlety is no longer called for.”
The Emperor turned to stare at Droth "If I engage the Ascendancy and it splits, do I have the support of your faction? If I do then I will help you crush the separatists" The Emperor said sternly. "I am not willing to let one of the Unions best and most loyal allies be attacked without response even if it is by your people" he added.
Droth’s eyes got slightly wider, and he laughed softly. “Emperor Myric, *we* are the separatists. One thing the Ascendancy never will do will be to fight their own; we are far too scarce a people to waste blood. When I said that the Ascendancy was preparing to tear the galaxy apart and divide it amongst themselves, I meant it literally; they intend to cut the galaxy in half physically, and give half to us and half to Dorin’s faction.”
The Emperor raised his eyebrow "So even if I do try to support your faction you will not aid us? You will not even help us in trying to achieve the very goals you wish? Surely you know that if their faction is warlike the next step after that would be total domination. That much is obvious"
Droth nodded in understanding. "But if the Ascendancy is not attacked by the Union, Dorin will not gain the popularity that leads to her rise to power. The moderates will retain control of the Ascendancy, and keep this war as terrible as it becomes under control. Dorin lusts for blood; the Ascendancy fights to maintain its secrecy. It is not that we will not aide you, Emperor; it is that if you do not attack, our civilization will remain stable and monsters like Dorin will not take power."
Myric stood pondering; his decision alone would decide the fate of two or more empires and billions of lives in the process "I have made my decision..." He said nodding his head heavily.
Droth was silent for a moment, before asking the obvious question. "Will you keep Dorin from dooming us all?"
The Emperor with a moment of silence answered the question "We will. We shall keep out of the fight, we will however offer humanitarian aid to our allies and provide non-combat assistance that will be provided whether you like it or not. Other than that I agree, Dorin should not come to power, May creation have mercy on me for my decision..." He said with a heavy heart.
Droth collapsed to his knees and sighed with relief. "I thank you so greatly for this, Emperor. The universe owes you a great deal. To think the universe will never know the horrors of what could have been..."
"Indeed, but Droth... Make sure the horrors that now have to take place are controlled, if I find that the Ascendancy steps out of line there will be no timeline safe for any of you... I must contact the Tenebrae Imperium at once. I have to explain my actions" Myric said heavily.