Chronicles of The Omniverse Archived The Sol System

"Deus Corp, be advised that you are within the boundaries of the Terran National Government, inside of the boundaries of a Shade Dominion cordon, and right in the midst of a war zone. Be advised it is NOT safe - details being transmitted with this message. Requesting more information into the nature of your arrival. We are also sending several vessels to investigate the source of your transmission. These vessels are non-hostile."

The message played clearly across the speakers of the Excelsior's Bridge as Commander Tarthus leaned forward, this strange new civilization already at odds with the demand of the TNG? This was puzzling, but perhaps an unforeseen boon for the Aschen Empire. A neutral entity on the inside of the cordon that could be utilized to further the goals of the Empire.

Tarthus had to weigh the options, she could send a subspace transmission, but it was very likely the strange aliens either didn't have the technology, or the ability to listen at all.

"Lieutenant, beam a transmission towards the new civilization on all frequencies, once we've established contact, link them with Chairman Inviere." Tarthus ordered, and Lieutenant Perry nodded, keying the communications systems up.

"We're going to transmit a short data burst, conventional radio, and then switch to subspace, Transmit a precursor subspace signal to allow them to key up our subspace communication systems."

Once the communications were keyed up, a subspace code was encoded into the radio transmission, which, if the Deus Corp had the technology, could identify and switch transmission.

"To the entities identified as Deus Corp, This is Commander Lucia Tarthus of the Starship Excelsior, if you are receiving this message, reply on the encoded subspace frequencies."

Terminating the transmission, Tarthus turned towards her Communications officer. "Listen for that subspace code on all bands, we've revealed our location so we need to move now." Tarthus ordered. "Take us behind the moon of that gas giant."

Immediately following the transmission, the Excelsior began to accelerate, it's impulse engines kicking on as it moved among the anomalies towards one of Sol's Gas Giants.

Deep 6,

"Sir!" Commander Mira called out, another communications came over our transmission. "It is a single star ship, and -- wait-" She stopped midsentence as a red light began flashing as the hidden code within the message was sensed, the built in cryptograph system automatically began working to sort it out. "Sir, prepare for the possibility for a virus or hidden coding within the message. Warrant Officer, get your ass to the manual shut down, now!"

Admiral Cross didn't like the sound of that as he ran out from his office to stand by Commander Mira, his face worried a bit at the prospect of a virus corrupting Deus Corp.'s technological machine. After a moment the red light flickered to green and a collective relief passed among the room as the potential threat passed. "Alright Commander, now what was the hidden message?"

"One moment, Sir," Mira stood from her chair and walked over to the digital screen that deciphered the hidden message and relayed it directly on screen, "it's asking us to switch to subspace channels for direct communications, whoever this Commander Lucia Tarthus is on the Excelsior, they must be paranoid to request this.

"Thank you, Commander, I'll monitor your communications on subspace transmissions. You may proceed," Admiral Cross said as he pulled up a chair, this could prove interesting, very interesting indeed.

Flipping a switch on her command table, Mira opened up subspace communications and began to make contact. "Starship Excelsior, this is Commander Mira of Deus Corp, we have received your message. I repeat, Starship Excelsior, this is...

Meanwhile within the cog that is Deus Corp's Omega Fields

Large cruisers and freighters began warming up engines as smaller fighter craft began flying patrols, asteroids on the outer edges began to shift ever so slightly as the huge War station asteroids retrofitted with defensive weapons and shield generators began to shift to active defensive formations.

The Dominion Ymir group that had entered at Director Issane's behest noticed the sudden eruptive readings all over their sensors as though someone had lit a signal flare. Automated protocols within the AI support available to the task group's various vessels, quickly homing in on the epicenter and triangulating. The general thought was it was merely a sudden, rampant warp storm, until a general broadcast was received.

"Greetings, we are Deus Corp, we are new to your system, we come in peace. We repeat we come in peace, we are a non-hostile corporation, we are here to sell our services to whoever may need of us..."

Communications snaked on whisker beams between the vessels of the group, while aboard the assigned flagship, the Ymir assault carrier Rising Tempest, a conference was being held between her commander and the group's captains.

"...and that's why I think we should leave it alone. We have enough on our plate alr-"

"We cannot allow a potential unknown threat interfere with our tasks here, Captain Kohli." Commander Iva Peterson interjected, her face a iron mask as she turned towards the captain's paling face. A daunting presence, the woman was known for her dedication to her assignments, if her heavy handed execution. Fitting that she now oversaw the command of one of the most potent of the nations new vessels. "We can spare a Piranha to investigate this new development."

"Ma'am, we've intercepted an answering transmission. Systems flag it as TNG." Glancing over at the communication station, the commander nodded minutely.

>>Deus Corp, be advised that you are within the boundaries of the Terran National Government, inside of the boundaries of a Shade Dominion cordon, and right in the midst of a war zone. Be advised it is NOT safe - details being transmitted with this message. Requesting more information into the nature of your arrival. We are also sending several vessels to investigate the source of your transmission. These vessels are non-hostile.<<

A ghost of a smile touched her face as she eyed the dissenting captain, before glancing to the face of one of her corvette officers. "Go. Stealth is not required. Hail them on appro-"

"Deep 6 installation, this is Maximillian Jr., you are to send a new transmission, advise to whomever that comes this way to, I repeat DO NOT scan the Omega Fields, and DO not come with 1 Astronomical units. Advise once seen to comply a diplomatic envoy will be sent out to speak to whomever is sent out here."

"Hail them on approach, and ignore that drivel. Maintain full combat preparation. Dismissed."

The holos winked out after a salute.

---

A single corvette split from the group within the Sol System, it's course on a direct path for the Deus Corporation's location. A scant 65 meters in length, it's angular hull held secure within a fully powered battlescreen. It's twin primary armaments might not have been full Inferno Rails, but the dual bores of Stormbores were still formidable enough to pose serious threat to vessels multiple times its own size. The eight multi-barrel gauss turrets it possessed were more than sufficient to shred peerical vessels and fighters, which was its primary purpose. As it navigated towards the unknown, it directed a tightly controlled transmission stream for the location and the TNG vessels en route.

"This is the SDS Screamhawk, of the Shade Dominion Cordon Group. Be advised, we are on rapid approach, we are armed, and we are not taking no for an answer. State intentions and origins, Deus Corporation."

Slower on the approach were two large vessels, a Terran Trireme Battleship, one of the last they had, and an Invictus Lucien-class Gunship.

Several smaller Terran ships, Seraphim Carriers and Paladin Fighters, were following close behind. They were the boarding party if things went well and they could inspect the ship, or if things went south and fighting had to happen.

The Trireme began to hail the Shade Dominion ships, communication channels being opened so they could coordinate.

"Dominion Group, this is Captain Rythorn of the Terran Navy Trireme Eden. We're right behind you. If these, uh, Deus Corp guys prove to be hostile we have your back." The captain said.

"Ready weapons." He ordered his bridge, "Advise Invictus assets to do the same. When, if, the shooting starts I want to have projectiles en route before that."

As the TNG moved to approach with the Shade Dominion, it would be apparant that they didn't seem keen to oblige the orders being sent their way regarding distances. This was largely due to the fact that Deus Corp were ordering the TNG not to fly in their own space, a fact that had the locals more than a bit on edge. The demanded no fly zone encompassed the TNG planet of Corala, as well as numerous TNG mining operations throughout the system.

The reply sent was simple.

>>Request denied. Please verify the nature of your arrival.<<

The details being transmitted to the Deus Corp would be rapidly painting a picture of just what the colony had stumbled upon. They were smack in the middle of another nations star system, which was currently suffering from a massive level of instability, warp storms, and anomalies that were strongly hypothesized to have been caused by the reckless use of Aschen tricobolt weaponry within the system. A cordon had been erected to secure the region and to begin attempts to stabilize the anomalies, while protecting it from further hostile incursions that threatened to destroy the entire system along with everything and everyone within it.

Deus Corp's anomaly hopping foray had dropped them right into the midst of it.

The TNG seemed of the mind to give Deus Corp's arrival the benefit of the doubt as to their non-involvement in the matter, but neither did they seem of the mind to oblige demands that smacked of an invasion attempting to seize TNG space for themselves.

The small pair of preliminary scouting vessels not yet privy to the hails and with no updated orders proceeded with their approach as they crossed the 1AU zone around the Omega Fields to investigate the source of the transmissions.

Deep 6

Admiral cross was stationed at the command table that gave a direct in the moment relay of all the information that Deus Corps. defensive grid's defensive measures received, when the pair of vessels passed the 1AU perimeter a red light began flashing and a small sigh escaped from his lips. Picking up the relay phone that gave him a direct line to General Krull, he passed along the current information. Once satisfied his job was done he sat down at the stiff backed chair and waited.

Commander Mira received the message while the admiral was reporting in, her eyes narrowing at the blatant refusal of their perimeter, though the report of the instability in the region was definitely something to worry about. Turning around he yelled in the general direction of her superior, "Sir, reply from the TNG, they refuse to accept our cordon. They sent a missive with a report on the instability of the region!"

His response was crisp and immediate, "I am aware, a pair of vessels just passed the cordon we were told to demand. General Krull will be dealing with this now, it is out of our hands."

Commula sector Omega Fields

Aboard the Colossus, the 15,000 meter Dreadnaught, Deus Corp's flag ship of the defensive fleet began leaving the edge of the Omega fields flanked by a squadron of smaller assault craft flying in formation. Aboard the bridge Commander Marcus Holt picked up his communicator that allowed him to project direct messages out into space, clearing his throat he began speaking. "This is Commander Holt of the Deus Corp. defensive fleet, you are flying within restricted space, you are to heave to and stop your approach. Failure to comply will result in the disabling of your ship, and everyone aboard imprisoned."

Dropping the communicator back on his command table Holt turned to a nearby ensign, "set that to repeat, and pass word I want energy redirected to engine power. I want to close the distance rapidly, in case reinforcements come to support."

Deus Corp. Headquarters

Seated at his desk Maximillian Sanders picked up his receiver and spoke a few words into the phone, waited a few seconds before he began speaking again. "This is directed to both the Shade Dominion and the TNG, this is Maximillian Sanders, one third of the ruling party of Deus Corp., what I say is the truth. We pose you no threat, we anomaly hopped as a way to save ourselves from annihilation from our systems sun going super nova. We did not intend to infringe upon your territory nor intend to appear hostile, while we do not intend to engage anybody in warfare, we will defend ourselves if you continue to approach our home. Our sensors have picked up a pair of smaller ships well within our range of destruction, and won't hesitate to do so... for your sake as well as our reputation I hope you can understand our situation as well as ours. We have a ship being prepared for a diplomatic entreaty to meet with you at a place of your choosing. I myself personally will attend this mission."

Setting the phone down with a grim smile, this place smelled of money, perhaps this was a stroke of luck after all, choosing to anomaly jump to this section of space.

Entering the Sol System

The Piabolle entered into the Sol System without much issue, various systems on board noting and tracking the multiple spatial and temporal anomalies as they made their way deep into the system. As these anomalies were recorded, small bits of data began to get crunched, computer systems setting up to analyze and determine the threat concerns of each one in passing. While it seemed like they would only be harmful if directly interacted with, the overall system began to show so much risk that the full weight of the potential danger warping in and out of the system could cause dawned on the Iarin Admiral. As he prepared himself to hail back to the Gungir, intent on asking what the intent was to stabilize such dangers, a comms message came in from the planet where Assara had last been reported to be.

"ICN Piabolle, I track you entering system Sol. This is Fleet Admiral Assara Ellonin, awaiting an escort or vessel of our kin. I have the mercenary Tenna in my custody, at the loss of a single drone during tracking. We're coming aboard as soon as you are within a few miles of the planet. Do no-" The communication became garbled with EM static before fading out altogether. For a moment, the admiral held a bit of concern before he finished his preparations. A message was sent to the Gungir, just a short question.

"SDS Gungir, we have confirmed communication with our intended asset. We are being told to approach to very short range of the planet before attempting to bring her vessel and her companion's aboard. Anything we ought to know about the area before we get too close?"

@Lobos

Sending a forewarning to the local system patrols of Invictus vessels, Gungir answered swiftly to the Iarin query.

"There's a hired fleet that's patrolling the system at the behest of one of the habited world's nations, as well as a new unknown that generated within the asteroid field. Presumably from the spatial anomalies that are all around the system, which our briefings mentioned was caused by the Aschen Empire's use of...questionably stable technologies."

The escort group smoothly identified the local surroundings, keeping a careful course to stay well clear of any active warp storms. Sensors was cautiously maintaining vigilance, watching for aberrant signs that might indicate a spontaneous generation.

---

Screamhawk slowed its approach, its sensors unmistakably identifying the mammoth vessel that drifted free of the asteroids, generating a secure channel and firing its whisker beams back to the main group it had split from, before repeating the same message back to the Invictus and TNG vessels.

"Be advised, flagship sighted. Recommend advance ships hold position, requesting heavier support."

Loathe as the Dominion captain was to, it decelerated into a holding position. Though confident in his vessels surprisingly heavy punch, that behemoth that Sensor had picked up had his corvette outmassed by a huge margin.

As the Iarin ship cruised through, Admiral Riyyar soured a bit. The Aschen had helped to cause the problems around the system, and after the report on them, along with the video intelligence from the crew of the Firrona, the leadership of the Iarin had dubbed them dangerous. It was unlikely that the two species would interact on a positive level, though neutrality was the current expectation and intention. It gave the Admiral an idea, however, so he hailed back tot he Gungir.

"SDS Gungir, I have a packet of information on the Aschen, if you would like it. We had contact with them near a weapons testing range, one of our frigates, and they took our vessel within the confines of their own. I can provide you with the schematics and information we gleaned from it, if it would be helpful." He had the information prepared to be sent, along with any and all recordings of the weapons discharge remnant that they had also maintained as a fleet.

They were nearing the planet, and Assara had linked her flight systems aboard her vessel to the Piabolle's, ensuring there would be no issues with docking. For Tenna's two vessels, she'd had him set them to follow hers, under the watchful gaze of herself and a full platoon of Law Enforcement from Westeria City, then brought him aboard her ship to wait. She sent her flagship's AI the all ready signal and waited for everything to wrap itself up.

"A copy of that intel would be greatly appreciated, Admiral. While hopes are that hostilities can be negotiated into an armistice condition, as the saying goes; pray for the best, prepare for the worst."

Those within the CIC on the Gungir could hardly conceal the excitement over such a data source, though this did not detract from their diligence to navigation, steadily drawing closer to the habited world. While the escort effort was routine, the Dominion personnel aboard the group were interested to observe the Iarin's efforts. Inspiration for innovation could come from the most unlikely of places, and the methods of a previously unknown entity were always a source of fascination for the far reaching nation.

Widening the formation, the Dominion vessels began to clear room for what maneuvering needs their escort might require, keeping regular updates to local Invictus and Terran ships to preempt incidents during the retrieval.

As the escort vessels began to open their formation, the Iarin vessel swung around somewhat, adjusting for the gravity well of Valore as it prepped for the arrival of it's commanding officer and her prisoner. As it balanced itself against the forces of nature that insisted it stop being where it was, Admiral Riyyar continued communicating with the Dominion captain.

"I have the information package prepared, though it is a rather large burst of data. I do not wish to disable your systems by sending it all at once, so I will begin transmission now." He waved a hand to one of the many crew-members on the bridge, beginning the data link. "Tell me, do you by chance happen to have any maps of the galactic disc showing the holdings of various civilizations? Our fleet is currently sending small scouting frigates throughout the cosmos in an attempt to find any and all civilizations that call the Onyx Galaxy home."

Down below, a small contingent of vessels left the planet, streaks of light burning away from the atmosphere and towards the huddle of capital ships above. Assara relaxed, trusting her ship's systems to get her there safely, though it would be tens of minutes before she would be back aboard her ship safely.

"We have mapping of the galaxy, but our completion of assigned territories under claim by the various factions within is sadly far less complete. The primary nationalities we know the general area occupied would be the Aschen Empire, the Isirian region, and here, the Sol System under the joint sovereignty of Valore's nations. The sudden appearance of the unknown entity within the Omega Fields, the local asteroid belt, is new."

The Dominion vessel synced with the transmission, downloading the data with fluid ease and routing it to a secure, isolated databank for security scanning, then analysis and organization.

"However, we are currently engaged in three different first contacts with political entities presumably of origins within this galaxy. If you would like, we could arrange for a distribution of information secured in those contacts with your people, if we can arrange such a contact with yourselves in a more secure location than the Cordon's operational area."

The admiral smiled before providing his reply. "We know of locations where such secure contact can be achieved. I will ensure that you have the proper coordinates and super-luminal pathways to get you from this place to the Iarin Frontier. If nothing else, you would be within our sovereign territory then, allowing for much safer conduct of business." He paused, this time due to an alert that the ships from Valore had arrived without incident. The news bought a smile to his face, though it was twisted by his emotions.

"Have Tenna taken to the brig. Strip him of weapons. I will not risk him destroying this vessel while he is aboard. I highly expect that Assara will be on her way to the bridge shortly." His order was crisp and clean, with no room for fussing, but even still the crew members in the bridge did not move. He looked at them incredulously, surprised that they did not take action.

"Are you all deaf? I gave you an ord-" he started, only to be cut off by one of the security personnel guarding the entrance to the bridge.

"Fleet Admiral Assara has returned. Your orders are invalid while she is aboard until she has given those orders herself. Tenna is with her, albeit devoid of his weaponry, and they will be here within a few minutes." The guard turned back to his duties, leaving the admiral to stew with the new information. As expected, within a few minutes Assara stepped onto the bridge, Tenna in tow. Seeing that the communications line with the Dominion vessel was still available, she switched the feed to visual and smiled warmly.

"Captain, this is Fleet Admiral Assara Ellonin of the Iarin Fleet. I thank you for guiding my people to Valore safely, and for providing us protection while within the gravity well of Sol. For your actions, I have asked that you be awarded accordingly by our government for the conduct you have held." She put her hands together, moving to a new step in the conversation. "With that being said, I now request safe transit out of the gravity well, as well as any information you happen to have on these anomalies. The more we know about them, the more we can research them. It may be possible that, in working together, we might find a way to stabilize them, if not begin removing them entirely."

The admiral behind her piped up, quietly telling her about how he had intended to provide the Dominion with all the necessary details on how to get to the Iarin Frontier, and she nodded. She quickly brought up a small display beside her, typed in a few things that flashed in Iarin writing, then looked back to where the vid feed was recording.

"The coordinates and jump paths have been sent to you. Hopefully the Dominion and the Iarin will long prosper from our meeting."