Chronicles of The Omniverse Archived Aschen Sector

Big Brother

Grand Confessor
as written by barney_fife

Somewhere on the fringes of Aschen Space...

Reverence II Devotion
Weapons Range E-7; Magna Thraecia System.

The Magna Thraecia system was a small star system of planets on the fringes of claimed Imperial Aschen space. With a relatively young sun, twelve planets which none of them supported life. No planet here could sustain life. This was the home of weapons range E-7, a sanctioned weapons testing ground for the United Aschen Empire. Each of these twelve planets were scarred, marred with the evidence of extensive weapons testing. Two of the rocky inner planets had been destroyed, casting a ring of debris through the star system. The third inner rocky planet had been completely glassed.

It was the final moments for weapons range E-7, undergoing scheduled decommissioning with a final weapons test. The Devotion had underwent several recent refits, it's Singularity driver gutted and refitted with a new weapon that utilized something the Aschen dubbed simply as Creation energy.

Creation energy was a relatively simple concept. A device utilizing energy drawn from the very essence of the universe through a Calx Riparius core, which in theory could offer limitless energy potential. The Aschen in their wisdom chose to weaponize it.

The Reverence II sat in deep space alone, on the edges of the Magna Thraecia system pointed towards the system's star, a G2V Class star that under any other circumstances would have been conducive to supporting life.

And so the weapon test began.

Admiral Harkin watched the energy readings aboard the CIC Of his vessel, before he rested against the console as his bridge crew completed preliminary calculations. The shipboard AI showed green across the board, while the chief science officer was going over the schematics.

"Creation energy is stable, primary drives are operating within expected parameters, Admiral." Science officer Clarice Easly said as she turned to face the Admiral.

"Excellent." Harkin replied. "We'll be ready to initiate Stellar annihilation shortly." He said, while a Bridge lieutenant turned. "Primary, secondary, and tertiary Creation cores are showing steady, Spatial flux is normal. Engineering is reporting a minor coolant malfunction in Creation Drive three."

As the crew of the Devotion worked tirelessly, the initial commands were exchanged, and the Ministry of Defense sent in it's final approval for the weapons test to begin. This was indicated by a message being printed, and handed to the Admiral.

"Commence test." Was all the message said.

Admiral Harkin read the message, before he straightened his peaked cap, and turned to the weapons officer.

"Lieutenant Bodhi, you may fire when ready..."

Harkin then turned to a large video display in front of him, before he spoke to himself.

"A long time ago, someone once said these words of wisdom... Peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be obtained through understanding." He said to himself. "With all due respect; I disagree." He affirmed as the Science officer turned to the intercom.

"Creation Control, commence cannon deployment, and primary ignition." She said, and the intercom chimed a response. Harkin simply remained silent, listening to the commotion within the CIC.

The Reverence II's bulbous hull began to open up along the dorsal structure, exposing a massive cannon that ran the entirety of it's dorsal structure. The barrel lengthened to clear the bow of the vessel, as it aligned itself with the system's sun.

"Targeting solution complete, we're aligned and locked on. Creation energy is building, taking secondary weapons capacitors offline and routing through Calx Vinifera cores."

"Rerouting complete, Spatial alternation is stable, commencing creation energy extraction now."

"Reality destabilization detected, initiating compensation drives and the stabilization matrix, Creation energy continues to build."

"Stabilization fields holding, Creation energy has reached fifty percent, Calx Vinifera cores are transferring to primary weapons capacitors now."

Harkin was silently watching the displays still, clenching a pen in his left hand as he nervously shifted his weight. Vibrations echoed through the CIC, and the entire Reverence II through it's massive infrastructure groaned and shuddered at the gravity sink forming at the muzzle of the deployed Creation Cannon.

"I have become death... destroyer of worlds." Harkin muttered, as the commotion continued, and the entire Reverence II shuddered again.

"Spatial destabilization is starting to affect hull integrity." The shipboard AI warned. "Creation Cannon will be ready to fire in thirty microns."

At that moment Harkin picked up the intercom, before he spoke into it. "All hands brace for turbulence."

Thirty seconds went by, and the gathered energy had reached a fever pitch, the entire Reverence II was nearing the brink of falling apart, sparks were flying and alarms were blaring.

"Standby FTL!" Harkin shouted. "Fire Creation cannon!"

All the pent up energy was instantly released. A vortex of spatial energy formed at the muzzle of the Creation cannon itself, appearing as a brilliant white and blue vortex that culminated into a flash of light and an energy spike that could be detected thousands of light years away as the space-time nearly shattered at the point of that Reverence, held together tentatively by technology the Aschen hardly understood.

As the cannon fired there was no visible beam of light, only the dissipation of the Vortex and the formation of another gravity sink. The Magna Thraecia sun then began to destabilize, and two minutes later. It had supernova'd, with stellar material jetting outwards and consuming the star system. As the stellar shockwave expanded outwards in all direction, the Devotion jumped out, narrowly missing the expanding stellar shockwave, which had consumed everything within several hundred AU.

The Magna Thraecia system, at that instant had ceased to exist.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
as written by Luxin

The small Iova-class frigate sailed through the inky stretches of space, equipment humming as it searched for planets that would be beneficial to the people on board. It was a craft developed by the Iarin race, it's form languid and sultry, with a rather large gap in the center, where only the skeletal substructure of the ship appeared to keep things together. As it's detectors scanned the local space for anything of interest, the crew within continued to live as they had for the last several months.

"And of course we were sent out here for nothing, Rashiim. You know as well as I do that the damned aristocracy wouldn't have it any other way." The crewmember, a more mechanically inclined individual, was speaking rather harshly, if only out of their lack of findings thus far.

"You hold your words, Kellka. Although our search is long, the Council has knowledge of our actions. We are not left alone in the dark." The male who spoke, Rashiim, was about to continue when alarms began sounding through the ship. Something had happened, and it wasn't in their best interests.

They were about a parsec away from the Magna Thraecia system when the supernova occurred, but due to the technology involved in the creation of such destruction, the light appeared to them as though they had been there watching it unfold. Members of the crew rushed to their stations, strapping in and digging deep within themselves to access the symbiotic being within each of their bodies. As there senses became more acute and their reactions faster, the ship practically roared into life, rather than drifting slowly through space.

They had to find out what had caused such an effect.

Engines engaged, causing the small ship to hurtle towards the now sterile gravity well. Moments passed in silence, the crew expecting the worst, but as they arrived their sensors showed that, although anomalous as to the age of the star, the system and the supernova were without a doubt genuine.

Kellka, who was sitting in the pilot's chair, turned to face Rashiim, his captain. "Rashiim, what could have done this. Even the Iyurro D-"

Rashiim had raised a hand, stopping the pilot from speaking. "Cut all communications distribution. We bring the ship silent and begin hunting. There is something out there, and if it caused this, I fear what it could do to the Collective."

As the communications lines snapped shut, one after the other, on all frequencies in all ranges, Rashiim had his sensors sweep for a new signature. Jump-waves. Similar to how warp-engines worked, a jump-wave would follow the path of any vessel traveling beyond the barrier of light's speed. Although imperfect, the Iarin had found, or rather created, only three ships capable of defeating the system fully. And their testing, which had occurred primarily on trading vessels entering their space as they came and went, had been extensive, lasting over decades before being put into practice.
 
as written by barney_fife

It was always said that the individual almost always returns to the scene of the crime. By the time the Iarin ship reached the Magna Thraecia system, which was now planetary remains and stellar remnant, the science team aboard the Reverence II 'Devotion' were preparing to return to the system to conduct an analysis of the creation cannon's terrible destruction.

The Jump-Wave system would have likely detected the Devotion's initial jump out of the system, and tracked it outside the system several hundred AU Away. But they wouldn't need to track where the ship was going for long.

Nearly four AU Away from what was left of the system's star, a flicker of energy could be detected, a flicker that inevitably gave way to the hulking, bulbous form of the Aschen Reverence II. The entire dorsal structure of the ship was retracted to reveal a massive cannon like protrusion, this particular protrusion would register massive energy readings, far beyond anything the Aschen Empire could previously generate. Although the energy readings were gargantuan, they were steadily declining.

---

The Science crew, along with Admiral Harkin were watching the displays, there were a few claps, and some congratulations on a successful test.

"Good Job, Admiral." Emperor Prince commented through a live subspace channel, while the Admiral nodded. "I'm going to deploy our science teams to analyze the destruction." He said, before he terminated the link.

"Bring our systems--" Harkin was suddenly interrupted by an audible beep on the Enhanced wide spectrum DRADIS Console, an unidentified contact highlighted in a three-dimensional projection of the system.

"Unidentified contact, three nine seven carom one three eight." The AI Chimed in, and the alarm systems began to blare.

Admiral Harkin made a face, as he manipulated the hologram to zoom in on the contact, focusing the Reverence II's powerful sensors to garner a size, emission profile, and look for any IFF Transponder technology.

The CIC Crew were hard at work, as the lights dimmed to a low red. "Activate Inhibitor system, launch alert fighters!" Harkin ordered, as the Lieutenant nodded.

The massive ship was slowly turning about, and slowly coming to life, hundreds of weapon emplacements along the vessel swiveled to life, and the dorsal structure began to close back up, encasing the Creation Cannon back into it's original resting position.

Any scans on the large ship would reveal it's size to be roughly twenty-eight by eleven kilometers length and width, it's power output was equal to an entire planet, minus the earlier readings of the Creation Cannon. It's IFF Information was broadcast as well, revealing it as the Reverence II Class Planetary Assault Carrier 'Devotion' attached to the Fleet of Rigorous Prayer. The IFF Broadcast displayed no further information.

"Move us into position, and then send hostile challenge." Harkin ordered.
 
as written by Luxin and barney_fife

Just as the Iova-class was about to depart, following the Jump-waves they'd detected, the creator of those very figments returned with such immediacy that the bridge of the frigate was silent, lit up brilliantly as the holo-display of the local gravity well lit up with the Reverence's entrance.

"Sir, that's a huge ship. Matches the size of nothing we've got back home," said one of the crew members, his brow furrowed. "How we gonna get safe?"

Rashiim looked around, seeing several lights winking in and out, indication that they were being scanned for information. "Go ahead and hail them, non-hostile. I'd rather live to see the next sun, and hopefully that sun with be home at Iara-Agar. Oh, and make sure that our markers are visible, if you please."

From the ship came a sudden flurry of radio-static like information, a constant, repeating broadcast in the native Iarin tongue indicating their ship class and lack of hostile intent. Unfortunately, there were few speakers of the tongue, that the Iarin were aware of, in the Milky way beyond their own ships' crews. In addition to the coms burst, several markings on the frigate's hull flared up, both in the visible spectrum as a pleasant shade of cyan, and in the other areas of the EM spectrum, showing the same marking for each.

The markings, also in Iarin, were indicative of a reconnaisance vessel, even though the language was truly alien and the pattern of marking did not match the conventional systems of the Milky Way.

____

"Initiating language assimilation." The Shipboard AI stated as Harkin frowned at the alien language scrolling across his screen.

"The basics, then, looks like we're not dealing with the Machine Demon." Harkin said, turning to the flickering holographic representation of his shipboard AI.

"Send hostile challenge and ID, universal protocol." Harkin ordered, as the Lieutenant spoke up.

"Sir, I'm detecting some kind of marking identification, it's not comparing with known databases, whoever this is, is likely not to have encountered our people."

The AI Had finished fomulating it's response, translating the standard hostile challenge into a basic mathematical language that even the most basic computer software could decipher and translate into the language of the recipient.

"Unidentified vessel, this is the Devotion, of the United Aschen Empire. Identify yourselves or you will be engaged and destroyed."

By this time the inhibition field had activated, extending several hundred AU Around the Reverence II, this inhibition field was designed to prevent entrances into, and exits from real-space, and inhibited nearly all forms of teleportation, and FTL travel.

Three massive engines engaged and the ship began to approach. The initial hail repeated, and sent in a universal mathematical language.

Harkin looked up to the alien language that was scrolling across the display, the AI speaking up.

"Language assimilation in progress, analysis estimated to be forty percent complete, more vocabulary samples are needed."

"Starboard fire control to CIC, I've got firing solution." An intercom chimed, while Harkin frowned. "Hold your fire, let's get this communication problem solved." He said, while the shipboard AI transmitted language ciphers for the Aschen language of Anquietas, hoping the recipient onboard had advanced enough systems to analyze and translate the Aschen language. Along with this attempted transmission, the shipboard AI requested language samples of the Iarin language, so it could facilitate translation.

____

"Sir, we've got an incoming trasmission. Base two logic. The systems are capable of deciphering it without issue, but that ship's coming closer and we're getting a dampening indication on our Super-luminals. Recommend setting drive power to forward and port shields via super-luminal connection."

Rashiim looked to his right, acknowledging the woman, his second in command on board his ship. "Very well, Darrana. Have the computer translate out whatever that message is, but do not return such signals. Leave our radio transmissions open. I appreciate a new language, but we will not let them have ours as easily." He turned back and brought up his ship-wide intercom system.

"All hands, you are free to speak at ease and freely. There is a vessel of significant size approaching and hailing, requesting translingual smaples. Your chatter will be their samples, as I will not hand over our databases freely. Such is not our mission. We are also essentially Drifters at this moment, so super-luminal power has been re-routed to the port and forward shield systems. If nothing else, we'll take a hearty blow or two before we finds our Risings." He turned the intercom off and seated himself.

"Let them hear us, loud and clear. And let us pray that the Divine Three keep us safe."

The female spoke up once more. "Sir, we're receiving another transmission. Language, though the computer is having to take significantly more time parsing out a translation to our language. Would you like to hear the initial hail while it works?" Rashiim nodded.

"Unidentified vessel, this is the Devotion, of the United Aschen Empire. Identify yourselves or you will be engaged and destroyed." The words, now in Iarin, were harsh and unexpected. He had thought that the hail would be less violent and more negotiating, perhaps even welcoming. but this was cold, almost mechanical to him. There was no joy or life the way the Iarin knew it. There was only subjugation and cruelty, just as there had been millennia ago for the Iarin people.

"We have their formats, then. Return their message, altered for ourselves."

-----------

Amidst the coms chatter in Iarin, a single phrase would return to the Devotion's bridge, this time in pristine Aschen thanks to their computers.

"We are the Iarin Collective, Vessel Firrona. Your hail has been received and we are translating to your language even now. We appreciate your approach, but ask you to stand down your weapons. We will not be destroyed."

____

Harkin took a slow sip from his tea as he read over the message, displayed in Anquietas on one of the CIC's many internal displays.

"I have firing solutions." The AI said, as targeting information flickered to life before the Admiral and his crew. Several red lines highlighted firing trajectories between the Reverence, and the Iarin ship.

"Signal the fleet, and alert forward firing control, forward turbodisruptor banks are to be primed and ready to fire on my orders." Harkin ordered.

Communications occured between computers in real time as the AI relayed Harkin's orders. The Datastream was alight with activity as the Imperial Fleet was being hailed by the Reverence.

"Unidentified vessel in weapons range E-7, requesting diplomatic envoy, and fleet presence."

"Fleet presence and diplomatic envoy granted, prepare Xeno ship for inspection. Deploying the Legatus Stygies to your location. ETA five millicentons."

Harkin read over the data replies, as well as the AI's translation of the native language. "Note, they declined to provide language ciphers, recommend caution. Language assimilation is eighty percent complete." The AI spoke up, and Harkin nodded. "Send standard inspection request, if they do not comply, deploy Condors and a Marine strike team to take them by force."

The AI offered a swift nod, before she sent another message, in the same mathematical language as before.

"Iarin Collective, Vessel Firrona, you are instructed to power down your shields, disable your weapons systems, and proceed to the following coordinates for inspection. Failure to comply will be construed as a hostile action, and you will be engaged. We have a diplomatic staff en-route to further assist you."

At that moment, eight small craft emerged from a massive ventral hangar bay, three Condors, and five F-11x Apollo fighters. The Apollo fighters were fairly quick and nimble, their delta wing configurations boasting a pair of RCW Disruptor cannons, as well as missile hardpoints.

The Condor was a medium sized transport shuttle, each carrying twelve Imperial Marines, it was Harkin's hope they would not be needed.

"Firrona, this is Apollo Three-One, You're to proceed on designated course, we will provide escort." At that moment, a set of coordinates was sent by the shipboard AI of the Devotion. The Iarin ship was being directed towards one of the massive Reverence II's hangar bays.
____

The bridge of the Firrona had gone silent once more, but this time because the messages hada relayed, in real-time, in perfect Iarin. The translation had completed minutes prior, but hearing such commands in their native tongue disturbed those who heard them.

"Sir..."

"Not now, Kallka. I heard it too. They speak like the Virahg once did to our people. That it comes to us in our own Speeches is more disturbing to me than you may realize." He paused. "Is the Ahhet prepared, as required by our mission?"

The female from before, Darrana, looked up at him. "Ahhet has been primed since before we left Iarin Sovereignty, Sir. We are well-prepared for what may befall us."

"Very well, Rashiim replied. "Lower shields and safe all weapons. Do not disable them, simply safe them. I do not expect a firefight, and I do not wish one, but I would rather be able to bring us online in the event. If we die, we die without cowardice."

--------

A message returned to the Devotion, echoed to the squad-craft deployed to escort. "Devotion, of Aschen Empire. Your greetings are met fairly, but it is our request to remain in the confines of space, rather than within your hull. We have removed our shielding and safed our weapons. Our intent is not hostile, and we are certain a vessel of such size is more than capable of scanning us in full. Reply awaited."

The Firrona hung in the void gently, her shields removed and her weapons honestly safed, but she did not move forward. Her main form of thrust from her Super-luminals was essentially removed at the moment, and her sub-luminals were not strong enough to move her in pace with anything else.

____

There were a few murmers among the crew of the Devotion's CIC as the Iarins refused their orders. Harkin frowned slightly as the AI spoke up.

"Language assimilation complete." The AI Said, as Harkin frowned, sipping his tea once more.

"Patch me through directly to the Xenos ship, vocal translation." Harkin ordered, and the AI Swiftly patched an audio transmission through, this time, rather than the cold mechanical female voice of the shipboard AI, it was the gravely, accented voice of Admiral Harkin.

"This is Admiral William Harkin, Flag officer of the Fleet of Rigorous Prayer, I am also the commanding officer of this vessel. You are currently within the sovereign space of the United Aschen Empire, furthermore you are within a restricted military weapons proving area, during the course of a highly classified weapons test. To exacerbate matters further, the United Aschen Empire is currently in a state of wartime readiness, thus we take our security very seriously.

Therefore it is imperative that we conduct your inspection on our terms, to ascertain your purpose, where you came from, and the nature of your vessel. This inspection is done physically to eliminate the chance that countermeasures could be deployed. I have very little leeway to give you, so you can choose to comply with our orders, and proceed with meaningful contact. Or you can continue to refuse, at which point I will have no choice but to seize your vessel and take you and your crew prisoner. The latter I'm sure will impact any future relations our two people may have." Harkin explained.

"You have my word you and your crew will not be harmed, but I cannot guarantee that if you continue to refuse our directives, please proceed on the designated course, I will arrange for a diplomatic staff to address any concerns you may have."

The message was stern, and to the point, it seemed with a tinge of frustration.

---

At that moment the Quintet of Apollo fighters had reached the small frigate, with the trio of Condor transports moving towards the ship itself, deploying specialized magnetic landing gear to attach to the hull, the Marines inside were preparing to drill into the ship.

The Apollo fighters circled one more pass, before the pilot responded.

"That's a negative, proceed on course, this directive is non-negotiable. Please proceed for inspection." The Pilot hailed.

____
As the patch came through, and the Admiral's voice sounded throughout the small frigate, Rashiim grinned. He let the alien finish his speech, pretty as it was, before responding, his words translating to Aschen without issue through the link.

"It's is we\ith great honor we meet you, William, Admiral and Officer, of the Fleet. Please, let us first apologize for the information you are about to receive. We mean it not as an assault on your systems, though they may treat it as such, but rather as a show of good faith, giving you the starways required to visit the space we know as our home." He looked to the side and nodded.

A momen later, a highly concentrated radio pulse shot to the Reverence II, acting in ways similar to an EMP due to sheer volume of information, as it contained not only basic directions, but all of the calculations with corrections for navigating a safe and quick route from here to the Milky Way's edge, as well as the requisite information required to build the engines needed for trans-galactic travel.

"To continue, it is not because we offer you any offense that we do not comply, but because we cannot give you a thorough inspection of our vessel. While you claim this as your territory, and we cannot readily argue against it, we had received anomalous readings of an errant supernova and had sought to understand why it had occurred." He paused for a moment, noting indications from the exterior of his ship. "I would also ask that you kep your servants from burrowing into my hull. It is not for their safety, as the ship cannot fire weapons systems at the moment, but they would dislike what they might find within the hull's barriers. I do not wish their perishing, not that of my crew. We will proceed forward, but we will meet in the Pavarran. The Interspace. We can establish the connection, if you cannot access it yourselves, but I cannot allow myself or my crew to board your vessel, just as I cannot allow you to board my own."

He stood slightly taller, despite the fact that he knew the transmission was vocal only, then looked to his pilot, Kellka, and waved his hand ever so slightly. The sub-luminals flared ever so slightly as they began to push the craft forwards, closer to the Reverence, albeit slowly. In Rashiim's mind, he could only figure that this alien race could stand to slow down a bit.

"We come as asked," he said, before closing the transmission for the moment.

____

The Shipboard AI Chimed a moment as the information was sent towards the Reverence II. Several AI Banks scanned the incoming information for a malicious payload in real time, before indexing and collating everything into the order of importance.

The calculations were translated into FTL Coordinates for Aschen FTL Drives, utilizing the information from course corrections and stellar charts. The information to build a trans-galactic drive was noted, but filed. The Reverence II was already fitted with a highly capable FTL System, which also afforded transgalactic travel. This was the case for most modern Aschen vessels.

Harkin silently watched the data scroll across the screens as his firing control officer turned to face him.

"Admiral?" He asked, awaiting further instructions. "If what they say is true, and they were investigating the result of our weapons test, then it stands to reason it's unlikely they were trying to infiltrate Imperial Space. Even if that was their aim, a weapons range is a foolish place to do so." He said, while Harkin nodded.

"You came to seek the cause of this anomalous supernova? It was not an anomaly, we deliberately induced it as part of a weapons test. That is all I can tell you." Harkin said, before he nodded to the AI.

"Transmit video link, initiate deep scans of the alien vessel." Harkin ordered, and the AI nodded abruptly before the order was carried out.

At that moment the Iarin vessel would be transmitted a live video feed of Admiral Harkin, and the large, dimly lit CIC behind him. Harkin was an aging man, with stern, carved features, thin lips, and a graying goatee. His uniform was dark grey, trimmed with dark blue, and the diamond-shaped insignia that denoted his rank as Admiral. In addition to a polished leather belt that crossed his chest and waist.

An audible harsh alarm klaxxon blared in the background, along with flashing red lights.

"I appreciate the gesture, please understand that we are at war with an enemy that would stop at nothing to destroy every last man, woman, and child of this Empire. This enemy will use any deception to infiltrate our defenses. We fight an enemy that knows no quarter, and thus we shall not give any." Harkin said, standing sternly center in the video feed.

"You are required to remain here until our diplomatic staff arrives, at that point they can meet at this location you have designated. It is for your safety, and our security." Harkin explained.

"If you have any questions or concerns, I will attempt to address them, it will be two Millicentons until they arrive."

____
As the video feed displayed on the rather large viewing window on the bridge of his ship, Rashiim had a similar display sent out to the Aschen.

"Perhaps my meaning was unclear. Interspace is...difficult to think of, for some. We have the capability to connectthe subconcious waves of multiple sentient beings and project them, real-time, across distances vaster than a Lightdrive can move. While they have no connections to this galaxy yet, The PICA Corporation has used Interspace connections in the Onyx Galaxy in vast amounts, allowing for local areas pre-generated Interspace locales. We offer to bring the mental structure of those you wish to send to one such locale to discuss further diplomacy."

As the deep scan began searching the ship, a portion of the sihp owuld simply show an outline and an indication of empty space. On the visual image of the ship, the outlined area of blankness correlated with the gap in the ship's hull between its fore and aft sections. A light on one of the panels alerted Kellka to the in-progress deep scan, but he made no outward mention of it, as he was visible on the display.

____

Harkin remained silent as he pondered his options. "What exactly is he talking about?" He asked, and the AI's avatar shrugged. "Hypothesis; they are offering to connect your mind across vast distances to communicate in a simulated reality in real time."

Harkin simply shook his head, turning back to the video display.

"That's not going to happen." He said in a calm, gravely voice. "You haven't been giving us very many reasons to trust you, saying our people will perish boarding your ship, refusing to come here and meet with us personally, insisting on a mental link to communicate.."

"I'm sorry but you've given us no cause to trust your intentions." He said calmly, and at that moment, there was another flash, an FTL Signature roughly a dozen or so kilometers away from the Iarin vessel.

This vessel was unlike the Reverence II before it. Hard, heavily armored angular lines, a deep gunmetal grey trimmed with reds, and eight massive three-barreled MAC emplacements that swiveled to life.

The Legatus Stygies, a massive and powerful Iconoclast Class Battleship maneuvered carefully, closing the gap within several moments between it's initial position, and the Firrona.

Chairman Gina Inviere, a slender blonde woman was going over the command console, reading the data being provided by the Devotion as the massive battleship took a position directly over the Firrona, at 5km long, it too dwarfed the small scout ship. As it positioned itself, and then began to slowly descend, the Chairman hailed the smaller ship."

"Vessel Firrona, this is Chairman Gina Inviere, supreme commander of the Imperial Aschen Navy. I don't have time for games, So remain stationary, and prepare to be boarded." She hailed sternly, before she picked up her intercom.

"War Adepts, report to ventral airlock seven, initiate boarding protocol."

As the Iconoclast positioned itself above the vessel, the Video feed of Harkin showed him frowning. "You have a choice, proceed to the Devotion and dock in our hangar, and we can salvage this situation, or be taken prisoner by that ship's soldiers." He said, before he terminated the link.

____

Rashiim watched, and listened to the stimuli around him. He closed his eyes as Harkin finished speaking then smiled briefly. As the link terminated, and he was capable of acting freely, he looked around.

"You all know my thoughts on your character, and I'm proud to have been given you as my crew. Unfortunately, I do not see a way to leave this without someone becoming injured and gravely disappointed. However, I do see us all returning home. At least, assuming those scientists who sent us out here knew what they were making when they developed the damned thing.

"Kellka, you have the Con. Darrana, I need you to engage all thrusters, and try to get the super-luminals back online. Set a course as directed towards the Devotion and verify docking lineups are in order. I wish to board their vessel without issue, and hopefully iron this mess of a meeting out in such a way that it works out well. I really do not wish the hostility I see on the horizons if this meeting goes south.”

He gave another look around, this time waiting as the ship moved smoothly through space. As it approached the Devotion, the automatic docking system took over the controls of throttles and piloting to align with the larger vessel appropriately, right up until the issue of the docking systems not being a match that would allow proper egress.

Although Rashiim had honestly wished to try and figure things out without violence, he worried that now there was no realistic and safe way to bridge the physical gap between ships, there would be no congress to talk, therefore providing no avenue for peace. He also feared that, because he was at this point resting his ship quietly beneath the Devotion with no obvious attempt to dock further, they might take it as an offense and destroy him and his crew. With a heavy sigh, he hailed for the bridge of the Devotion with a simple message.

“We are unable to dock with your vessel, as your designs do not match our own. Please respond. We do not wish war from such a small issue.” He closed the communication almost immediately after, waiting for their response with a bit of anxiety gnawing at him. He reached deep within himself, however, tapping his internal companion, allowing the being to wash away his trepidation and concern to replace it with confidence and boldness. He wished such a thing could be given to all species, but it was not to be. The Iarin had been chosen, or so some billion or so of them believed, to carry this power across the stars, though for what purpose they still did not truly know. Some said they would conquer, many said it would allow them to be peacebrokers, and a small few even went so far as to say it would elevate them, allow each of them to Ascend, and become gods amongst the species they aided. Iarin researchers claimed such things as pure nonsense.

____

Inviere's War Adepts were poised to board the Iarin vessel, before it started it's way towards the Devotion. A brief exchange of communication took place between the Devotion, and the Legatus Stygies AI Systems.

As the Iarin vessel approached the Devotion, it's massive size would be quite obvious, twenty-eight kilometers of length was nothing to sniff at, and it was clear the massive Reverence II could easily accompany the size of the small frigate.

Harkin paused at the mention of being unable to dock with the vessel, but then he turned to his AI. "Depressurize main hangar bay alpha." He said, while the AI nodded, and a Lieutenant spoke.

"That's the main CNV bay." He said, while Harkin nodded. "Should easily overcome any design differences they may have with our docking systems." Harkin said.

Inside the main hangar bay, klaxxons blared to inform the personnel inside to proceed out of the Hangar bay and prepare for depressurization. It took about five minutes, five minutes of no response, before Harkin's voice came in on the radio waves once more.

"That won't be a problem, but I need you to follow my directions very carefully. If your ship possesses landing gears, I would prepare them. Otherwise increase your elevation once you receive the signal." Harkin ordered, as the AI Informed him the main hangar bay was empty, and depressurized.

"Open the bay doors." Harkin said, and the AI nodded.

The next thing that would greet the Iarin was the armor plates on the underside of the Reverence II retracting, folding up into themselves slowly, revealing the ship's inner hull, and a set of massive blast doors easily 20 Kilometers in size, that ran the length of the underside of this massive carrier. As the armor plates slid away, several massive latches began to cycle, spinning and disengaging, before the blast doors themselves began to open up, revealing a massive interior hangar bay that was large enough to incorporate the Iarin ship a thousand times over. Beacon lights flashed, acting as guides for the ship to pull up into the Hangar bay, this was followed by coordinates and instruction to proceed inside.

Inside the hangar bay, two more Aschen warships could be seen towards the back of the bay- Battlestars that were undergoing repairs, as personnel in EVA Suits were welding armor plates, flickers of blue sparked all along these vessels.

If the Iarin ship didn't possess a landing gear system, massive docking claws could secure the ship in place, no matter it's design, as the bay of a Reverence II was designed to accommodate a myriad of different ship designs; no matter how alien.

Harkin then came up on the communications.

"Proceed up into the hangar bay, and then follow the docking beacons. The bay will pressurize once you're inside and you will be able to safely exit your ship."

Harkin subsequently terminated the link before he turned to the AI.

"Security to the main Hangar bay, war adepts as well, also instruct Chairman Inviere to ring aboard so we can get this show on the road."

____

Rashiim watched as the bay doors slid away to reveal the massive space within. He smiled and nodded towards his pilots, directing them with that nod to proceed into the open space.

"Ivva, I want this recorded. QAny preliminary information we can get on these kinds of vessels now will aid us in the future," Rashiim said quietly, having moved to lea beside one of the female officers on the bridge. She gave him a querelous look. "Sir, I don't see h-" She stopped as he raised a finger.

"Information sells faster than brick. This is taught to all Iarin. If we gain this knowledge, then we may profit from it beyond our own uses. For a race as hostile as they seem, I do not doubt that these Aschen have a host of enemies all their own." He turned sharply, then gestured for him to respond to the Devotion.

"We give you our thanks in multitudes for this diplomacy. We come." As the rather quick transmission passed through, he smiled again. It wasn't the best situation, as those blast door were rather thick, but the Ahhet required no space to operate. If an escape was needed, it would be made. Daranna had finally gotten the ship into the bay by now, the landing gear deploying to steady the ship.

While the ship's landing gear was not initially visible, as soon as the ship was within the bay itself, a web-like construction would fan out from its flanks, splaying to hold to whatever surface was close enough. Luckily, if the structure was incapable of supporting even a small portion of the ship, the webbing would slide off to find a more suitable structure.

"Hold airlock. We will wait until they have come to greet us. I want only three of us maximum to leave the ship, as this mission is hardly going to be safe. Kellka, you will remain in the event of my Ascending. Daranna, you will also stay aboard, as you are one of two aboard who understands how to use the Ahhet. I need Ivva and Bevvon to join me when we go to meet these Aschen, no matter how much like the Virahg they may seem."

____

Once the Iarin vessel was inside the main Hangar bay of the Reverence II, the blast doors began to close below it, latching one by one as a smooth floor slid out with the blast doors, and provided a sturdy surface for the vessel to land upon.

Once the blast doors closed shut, and the outer armor plates slid over the blast doors, the massive bay began to pressurize until it reached the proper atmospheric mix to sustain human life, oxygen and nitrogen. There was a brief pause as the shipboard AI Ascertained proper pressure and mix levels, before she turned to Harkin.

"Xenos Vessel is secure in the main hangar bay." She said calmly.

Harkin nodded before he turned to his XO. "You have the conn." He said, before he turned to make his way towards the Tramway.


----

Inside the Hangar Bay, the massive doors to the interior of the ship slowly began to open up, Imperial Marines filtered in first with weapons at the ready, quickly moving to take cover behind cargo containers, crates, and other storage devices. War Adepts however came in second. These hulking twelve foot fifty ton power armored warriors clunked in with heavy footsteps, slinging their heavy Magnetron rifles, and portable Ion cannons as they moved into position. Each war adept took formation, providing a pathway of towering armored warriors as Harkin made his way through the line, as each adept moved to parade rest.

Harkin slowly stopped roughly thirty feet from the Iarin ship, checking his watch he waited for them to disembark, while Marine Snipers moved to position to provide Harkin with cover, in case these were hostiles.

The Empire could never be too careful.

____

Rashiim, Ivva, and Bevvon entered the pressure barrier of the Firrona, donning transparent masks that fit snugly over their moths and noses, though they did not appear to be at all flexible. As the pressures equalized, Ivva and Bevvon covered their eyes and bent forward slightly, growing somewhat nauseated at the low pressure environment that the Aschen preferred.

"Sir, please assure us that such pressures are not common in this galaxy," Bevvon said quietly, his voice tinged with the obvious physical displeasure. "I do not know how many times I can stand being in such a place." Rashiim only smiled at the comment, having visited such low-pressure worlds to have become used to the differences. By the time the airlock had begun to open, all three were standing tall and proud, not a one of them under six feet in height, though Rashiim was built more powerfully than the other two.

They stepped out, panel of light emitting from the small frigate to support their footfalls, until they stood before Harkin. Although the garb they wore was obviously designed to be practical, it held an air of mystical thought and exotic design to it. It hugged the body well, but only upon the upper portions of each limb, and only slightly onto the neck. All other portions of the garments were somewhat flared, adding a minutely imposing quality, but otherwise appearing, if in an older style, fashionable to certain degrees. The Iarin, for physicality, looked rather human, though their eyes were the colors of a Terran sunset, and only Rashiim showed obvious male distinction, while the other two were rather androgynous.

"We have come, as asked, Harkin Admiral of the Empire Aschen. There is no need for weapons, for we have none upon ourselves. Let us speak in concord, that our peoples not suffer the indignity of war." The captain's voice was muffled, as the mask he wore translated his words for him while also filtering out only enough Nitrogen for the Iarin to breathe easily. While they would have been able to survive without the masks, it would have been uncomfortable for them for quite some time, delaying diplomatic process.

____

The Cargo bay of the Reverence II was massive, easily accommodating the Firrona and providing a pressurized atmosphere. The War Adepts surveyed the alien crew intently, while the Marines remained behind cover. Harkin too was armed, a disruptor pistol holstered at his hip. Though imposing, the War Adept's demeanor was more guarded than hostile.

"Welcome aboard the Devotion." Harkin said, extending his hand. "I apologize, but weapons are a hard truth in these trying times. There's no telling when the Machine Demon or the countless enemies of the Aschen Empire may manifest. The Vermintide of filthy Xenos never abates." Harkin said cooly, before he stepped aside.

"The tram is this way, the Devotion is a big ship, and the conference room is a short tram ride from our position."

As they walked, a pair of Marines followed behind, with Harkin in front taking the lead. The tram station was several hundred meters in front of them, and a small tram was just docking at the station.

"We have a formal representative of our people en-route, he will be arriving via something we call the Bifrost. Our emperor himself has elected to personally come aboard to greet you." Harkin said, while they continued to walk. "I apologize for the presence of weapons, but we cannot afford the luxury of truly being at peace at the moment. Security should ease up once we reach the conference room."

____

The three Iarin looked from one to each other at the mention of weapons, showing that they were wholly unarmed, beyond whatever their bodies were capable of. They didn't seem nervous, but rather intrigued and generally interested by the ship around them.

"Do not worry, Harkin Admiral. We recognize the need for weapons, though we had hoped that they would not be brought to the field," Rashiim said, gesturing for them to go further. As they began to walk towards the tram, the two others shared a look between themselves, then followed.

"Your emperor is coming to greet us? But we are simply members of an expeditionary force. Surely someone of such importance would rather meet with our own leaders." He chuckled, then shook his head. "You say that security will become more lax, but he is your emperor. I suspect you will have more security around him than you have around us."

Rashiim turned and looked back at the other two Iarin with him, nodding. Each of three accessed their internal symbiotes, using their bonds, each in unique ways, to store who they were within the other being. A safety precaution, to be sure, but one they used only when deeply concerned that things could go wrong.
 
The tram ride lasted upwards of twenty minutes, propelling them quickly along the dorsal structure of the ship, cargo bays, tram stations, and several crew barracks passed them by as Harkin kept quiet, and then with a slight ding, the tram slowly came to a stop; and it's doors opened up with an audible hiss.

They were in the Diplomatic and Guest sector of the ship, the tram platform was open and accomodating, with a few crew operated souvenir shops, vending machines, and a small check in lobby. Harkin quietly stepped off the tram, with his Marines in tow, and gestured for the group to follow.

A set of blast doors chimed, and opened up to reveal a large hallway, two Imperial marines posted outside a door that read 'Diplomatic Conference Room' in Anquietas text.

Harkin moved calmly, quietly towards the open door, ignoring the rest of the crew going about their daily tasks, and once inside the conference room, the door closed behind them with a hiss. The room itself was empty, save for a large round table, and a single older man in solid black sitting at the end of the table furthest from the door. Flanked on either side were men in dark indigo robes, their faces covered by a hood and a net that was draped over their faces. The two men stood silently at either side, while Harkin offered a salute.

"My Lord, these are our guests, who call themselves the Iarin." He said, and the man nodded.

"Please; be seated."
 
The Iarin walked without comment through the vessel, following Admiral Harkin along the passages until they arrived at the conference room. Upon entry, the two Iarin who accompanied Rashiim fell to either side of the room while their captain seated himself with a smile.

"My greetings, Emperor of Harkin Admiral. I am called Rashiim, of the Iarin star vessel called the Fironna. We came in response to a signal we had detected. Large energy signatures, such as we are unused to seeing in the galaxy. We apologize for any intrusions we might have made, as such was not our intention. Please accept this apology." His voice was even-toned yet firm and relaxed. His companions each made a similar assent, though teir communications were vocal and non-verbal instead of words themselves.

"Your vessel is admirable, Emperor of Harkin Admiral," Rashiim continued, "and while different from our own, it appears quite powerful. It is my wish, and that of the Iarin as a whole, that we resolve this matter diplomatically rather than with violence. From the passage of our time communicating with this vessel's queue, we have learned that we can resolve things without blood being shed between foreigners."
 
The man looked to Admiral Harkin quizzicaly, before Harkin cleared his throat. "Allow me to introduce our Lord, our Emperor, Isambard Prince." He said, slowly moving to sit down. There was a slight look of amusement on Prince's face at the strange title, confusing him with the Admiral, but Prince dismissed it fairly quickly.

"We have a saying in the Empire, that curiosity killed the cat." Prince said calmly. "But we are a gracious people, and accept your apologies for your intrusion into our territories." The man's tone was condescending, arrogant even.

"Indeed I am open to resolving this issue without bloodshed, thus you have my forgiveness for your trespass. No doubt as you have seen, our weapons are quite capable. But you wouldn't have come this far to simply apologize, as admirable of an effort as that is." The man said calmly.

"Fortunately for you, I am needed aboard this vessel, but I won't keep you for too long, I'd like you to send word back to your government, that we would be open to further diplomatic contact." The Emperor said, before slowly rising from his spot. "Do you have anything further to add?"
 
Rashiim spoke something in an Iarin dialect that had not been translated, as it had not been within the Firrona's computer systems, to his companions, both of whom chuckled softly. He turned back to look at the Aschen emperor, his eyes glittering slightly. He spoke softly, but the conference room was more than capable of allowing him to be heard.

"An emperor who is a Prince seems a strange thing. We had assumed you would bear the name Aschen, as their ruler. No matter." He waved a hand in front of him dismissively. "If you are needed elsewhere, do not let our visit hold you here. As we told Harkin Admiral, we are explorers and scouts, not diplomats. Our job was simply to spread through the arms of the galaxy and find what we would. We are simply one ship among many sent to perform this job." He rose from his chair as the meeting seemed to come to an end.

"Beyond that, I simply wish to extend my appreciation for the hospitality of your people. Too often do cultures meet one another in violence, when speech may hold such at bay."
 
Prince looked rather visibly offended at the comment, before he gestured for one of the Confessors to lean over, and he whispered in the Confessor's ear in a hushed dialect of Anquietas, the Confessor nodded, and returned to a standing position beside the Emperor.

"My name, is Prince, my title is Emperor, you would do well to remember that." Prince said calmly.

"I wish to learn more about your people, the question is..." Prince said, stroking his chin, as two more Confessors entered the conference room behind Rashiim and his group. "How much are you willing to divulge, in the name of mutual understanding?" The Emperor asked, slowly standing up. "Please, I had a lovely meal prepared for all of us, you need not leave so soon. Let me show you... the extent of our hospitality as 'guests' of the Empire." Prince said, snapping his fingers, a second set of doors opening up, and several well dressed attendants moved in, but something seemed off, all of them were wearing strange electronic collars as they began placing silverware, and plates in front of the group.

"Enjoy this token of our continued friendship, and upon conclusion of our meal, report to your diplomats, so we may initiate more formal dialogue."
 
"Our apologies. Your language, so new to us, it bears complex ways of speaking that are not normal for us. No offense was intended, Prince Emperor." Even as Rashiim finished speaking, he winced ever so slightly. Although it was common for Iarin of importance to have their name spoken before their title, it appeared not to be the case with the Aschen. He was only just now realizing it. The thought of whether it had caused negotiations to sour drifted through his mind briefly, but the captain put it aside for the moment. He looked behind him as the other Confessors entered behind him and his men. He kept his face still and somewhat pleasant, though his mind rushed through the potential dangers such extra man-power would present.

As the servants entered, however, all three of the Iarin, stoic as they'd been so far, let out reflexive hisses, bristling in surprising anger at the sight of what, to their eyes, appeared slaves. Rashiim recovered first and place a hand on each of his men to steady them, then turned his gaze towards Prince. He stepped forward. No longer did he seem the same as before, walking towards the Emperor. His body had swollen slightly, as though muscle had suddenly formed to make him larger. His brow was furrowed and his smile replaced by a thin line of a mouth. As he strode towards Prince, his eyes flicked to each of the servants, noting their postures. They were broken. He stopped perhaps a foot from Prince, now standing at almost seven feet of height, having grown into a powerfully muscled being as he'd walked.

"You insult us with this show of perverse life. This is not the way another should be treated. You ask us what more we can tell of our people? Let me tell you what you should know of us before such displays come to mind again, Emperor Prince." His voice held the contempt that he was keeping in check, lest it become rage and his own death. The final two words were strung together almost insultingly, as if Rashiim didn't think the man worthy, which he no longer did. "We Iarin were once viewed as nothing more than simple labor and fodder for those who thought themselves our betters. To them, we were docile and gentle, perfect for chores and hard work with little to no benefits of life. We are no longer in such a position, and those who held us in chains exist in the stars no longer. We will be leaving at this time."

Rashiim turned and walked to his men, nodding along the way. Both of the others suddenly grew in size, much faster than Rashiim, and each to well over seven feet, one approaching eight. Not one of the three had to weigh less than four hundred pounds of highly trained and muscled body, and all seemed unhappy to say the least.
 
The moment Rashiim stood up, the Confessors standing adjacent to Prince moved quickly into action, They moved to block Rashiim's path, while the Marines in the room drew and presented their weapons, the subtle whine of powered energy weapons suddenly filled the room.

But both Confessors began to exude a surreal and unsettling energy, as black glossy voids closed over their faces, leaving a black void within their flowing robes. This time they spoke with inhuman voices as Rashiim began to walk.

"Come no further!" They warned in an electronic and inhuman sounding voice, as Prince slowly stood up from his spot at the brazen display of hostility.

The Two Confessors at the door exchanged lightning fast thoughts, and then the visors to their own combat skins snapped shut over their faces. The Aschen reaction was precise, and powerful, easily displaying the strength of their prowess, and the organization of their military.

The Servants left almost as quickly as they came, while Imperial Marines filtered into the room, and took up defensive positions along walls and doorways, their sole objective was to defend the Emperor at all costs.

The Confessors physically blocked Rashiim's path, which meant he would have to say his piece or fight his way through them, but little did they know was the order had been given to seize the Firrona and take the entire crew prisoner until the situation could be resolved.

While the Iarin may be highly trained, they were contending with an unknown, the Confessors deliberately kept their abilities hidden, and the potent disruptor bolt could put down beasts several times larger and angrier.

There was a palpable silence, before Prince moved past his Confessor, his eyes flaring with a strange and surreal energy, the air in the room becoming remarkably colder.

"I bring you aboard my vessel; my home. I invite you to partake in a meal with me, as a gesture of goodwill, and you repay these gestures with insults and implied threats. You insult our way of life, and how we choose to discipline criminals who have committed unspeakable crimes against the Empire." Prince sneered. "Out of ignorance you assume that because we have chosen to make servants of our criminal population to repay their debts to society, we are no better than those who enslaved your people, and arguably committed grave atrocities."

Brushing past the Confessors, and standing close to Rashiim, Prince looked up, his eyes locked on Rashiim's. "A race such as yours that rushes to judgement, will only have one fate, and that's total annihilation." Prince said coldly.

"I will give you one chance, and only one chance, Captain Rashiim." Prince warned. "Continue down this path of assumptions and hostile judgements, and face the repercussions, that will ripple across both of our civilizations. Or have a seat, and enjoy our hospitality." Prince said, his voice cold, without even a hint of fear or trepidation. "Consider your next actions carefully, they may be among your species last."

As the others rose, growing to their statures, they found weapons trained on them as well, the Marines keeping a keen eye while the Adepts of War, three of them to be precise staged abruptly outside the conference room.

Much was the same within the hangar bay, as Imperial soldiers flooded into the room with weapons drawn, shouting demands for the crew to surrender and exit the vessel, Adepts of War armed with heavy weaponry took position defensively behind cargo, and other equipment in the room.
 
Rashiim looked at the face of one of his companions, Ivva, who had a blanked look on her face. Her posture had gone slack, and as she shrunk to her normal size she began moving without speaking. She suddenly came to and looked at Rashiim, her face full of concern.

"They move to claim the vessel, captain," She said, loud enough to be heard around the room. Rashiim looked at her and then returned to normal himself, assuming a defeated posture. The only one to remain large was Bevvon, his stature not moving an inch, as if her were a statue.

"Do you intend on holding us prisoner, Emperor? We do not wish to stay, and yet you desire to hold us against that will. We do not seek to damage relations any further by staying and having that risk. We would withdraw and confer with those to whom diplomacy is a talent more refined. As I said at first, my ship and crew are simply scouts."
 
Prince considered his next move, staring at Rashiim as his mind calculated, coldly playing a game of mental chess with the scouts in front of him. "Prisoners... is a very unbecoming term to describe your situation, you are not in restraints, nor are you confined to a cell." Prince said, stepping back, past the confessors and turning away briefly.

"Scouts serve an important purpose, you would report back your findings here, I have no intention of preventing that." Prince said, considering his next moves carefully. "I cannot in good confidence allow you to leave this vessel, with the knowledge you have gained here, given your display of hostility. For I have no idea what you would bring back to your people." He said, pacing back and fourth in the room.

"I could allow you to leave in peace, and then you would return with an invasion force, which would be unacceptable." He said, while he paced, all eyes were still on the aliens.

"I have no intention of holding you, or your people prisoner, such actions would be unbecoming of a civilized people like the Aschen Empire." Prince said, standing and looking at a holographic screen. "You will be allowed to contact your people, and until they arrive you, and the crew of your ship will be considered guests of the Empire, but for the safety of both of our people, I would advise against attempting to leave."

"It's for your protection, this is after-all a weapons testing ground, and it would be unfortunate if your vessel was... unexpectedly destroyed because it was caught within the testing range." Prince warned.
 
Rashiim narrowed his eyes as Prince talked, his mind coming to realize what the Aschen being was saying. His ship and crew could not leave, but they were not prisoners. If they leaved, they risked destruction. It was veiled only as thinly as needed to maintain official diplomacy, but that did not assuage the captain's nervousness. He felt like he was in a place of little air, where every moment was a choice of life or death. He took a breath, just one, and held it while he spoke.

"Your offer is generous, but I fear we must decline. As things are, with tensions high between our peoples, I do not see it as advisable for us to stay within your significant protections. Surely any testing range may be held from testing while a peace-seeking vessel transits the nearby stellar sectors. Of course, we would leave under the power of our own super-luminal capabilities, save for the fact that your vessel, in its might, has effectively removed them from use with a field beyond my personal understanding. As such, my crew and I will remain aboard our own vessel, unattached to yours. If you desire to communicate, you may hail us as need be, but for now I see no other way to resolve the issues between our peoples." He sighed heavily and dropped to one knee briefly before standing, a symbolic goodbye full of trust. "We would contact our kin, but our devices have no such power within the field that limits our travel capabilities. Otherwise I would have had this meeting relayed in real-time to them, allowing the Coucil, not myself, to speak for the Iarin Collective."

He waited patiently, eyes closed, for the alien's response.
 
Prince didn't seem to flinch or change his position as he lowered himself back into his seat. "Please, Mr. Radhiim; I insist." He replied cooly.

The moment he said those words, the sounds of high pitched whines filled the conference room. "I assure you that you and your men will be afforded every possible accomodation during your stay here aboard this ship." Prince said, making a slight hand gesture.

"Admiral Harkin will show you to your quarters; and once you have had a chance to reflect on our interaction here, I will arrange for you to be returned to your vessel, once we have deemed it safe to do so." Prince explained, while the soldiers slowly began to close in, Admiral Harkin making a slight frown.

"Please, come with us, the Emperor's word is law here, You would do well to not defy him." Harkin warned.
 
Rashiim looked from his crew member to the Emperor, to Admiral Harkin, his mind torn. He did not wish the violence he knew would occur if he defied the offer given him, but he did not wish to simply surrender his command. It was not the Iarin way to simply comply without some gain. Yes, he could see the situation strung where his gain was his life, but his crew would not take the news well, once it reached them. Especially if it came from a mouth that was not his own. He set his gaze on the Emperor for a moment, letting his eyes lock the Aschen's for a brief moment. While he did not knwo how attentive the alien would be, he figured there was one last thing to show the being before shuffling off quietly.

For a moment, Rashiim's eyes, sclera, iris, and pupil, shimmered and glowed a soft midnight in color. There was nothing but that simple color and the light it produced.

"Prince Emperor," he said, his voice a three-tone harmony. "I do not do this for intimidation, for a ruler is blind to such things, but to greet you myself. Rashiim is patient, but I have desire to address you personally. I am his Bonded, Hyikkel, bearer of strength in forms you know as gravity and orientation. I ask, for the sake of my own species, that you allow the Iarin to remain aboard their own vessel. There they will survive, but without their own systems, they run risk of perishing far faster than even they may know. Your atmosphere is not their own, though similar, and the biology you possess is threatening at the basic level. Do not let you desire to be in absolute control remove from you the capability of respect for their wishes and mercy for their lives." The voice paused for a moment, Rashiim's eyes dimming slightly.

"If you desire to contact me again, alert Rashiim. He will allow me access to his senses and will convey my words to you. Stars guide you, Prince Emperor." The color of Rashiim's eyes returned to normal, and when he groaned from the sudden stress his body underwent it was once more the sound of his natural voice. He shook his head, and then dropped down, barely managing to land on one knee. He was breathing heavily, as if he had exerted himself physically for an extended amount of time.
 
Prince considered this revelation in relative silence, pondering his next course of action. He considered the plea by this strange entity that was possessing Rashiim. Symbiotic life forms were not unheard of, but the Emperor did not want to relinquish total control, so he considered the alternative.

A grin crested his lips, as he pondered, he could allow them all to remain on their vessel, locked in the belly of the Reverence II, they could have engineering mount a bomb of some kind as insurance, he nodded, coming to terms with the plan.

They could do this without their knowledge, and should the Iarin not comply, blow the ship.

"I will allow you, and your people to remain on your vessel under one condition; that my sentries are permitted to board your vessel with you, as insurance." He said, nodding. He could send in a War adept rigged with an explosive vest, perhaps a tricobalt device.

"Admiral Harkin, escort these people back to their vessel, maintain docking parameters until i instruct you otherwise." He ordered.

The Admiral offered a slight nod, and then turned to Rashiim. "Is this acceptable?"
 
Rashiim held his hand to his head, still very overcome by the effort of having his Bonded speak through him. He stood as straight as he could manage, enough to be able to lock eyes with Prince, before simply nodding. His breathing remained heavy, and one of the other Iarin stepped close and placed a hand on his shoulder, though for support or comfort was unclear.
 
Several weeks had passed since the meeting Rashiim had held with the leader of the Aschen. Several weeks, and they had remained aboard the Firrona while they waited to be released. All sensors showed that the vessel their ship was inside had not left the testing range. It had the Iarin captain nervous, but no more so than he had been over the course of those weeks. He had recovered from the release of his Bonded from seclusion, when she had spoken to the emperor, but he still did not know what to expect.

That, and the Aschen member who had come on board had unnerved him further. He had ensured it was offered all the same hospitality of any other guest, but the foods that the ship had synthesized for the creature had gone uneaten. They had been recycled, of course, but the crew had done their best to keep away from the creature. The only exception was if when it had attempted to access restricted areas. They had stayed in it's path en force in those few instances.
 
The Devotion hadn't left it's position in space, and was now surrounded by a large fleet of ships, they had essentially quarantined the vessel.

Inside the hangar deck of the Devotion, weapons were trained on the Firrona, nonstop in the several weeks that had passed, the vessel constantly remained on high alert, and of course, Prince had long since departed, leaving Admiral Harkin, and Ambassador Lucia Tarthus in charge of further diplomatic contacts.

The silence was what was most oppressive, not the soldiers pointing weapons at the Firrona, not the constant blaring of alarm bells every time the ship shifted or performed some normal function, it was the silence from the Aschen side, the back-and fourth with encrypted communications, and more importantly the Imperious Class Command Carrier that had taken up position roughly 500,000km above the Devotion, with all six of it's frag cannon emplacements.

Each emplacement was aimed at the midsection of the Devotion, where the Firrona was housed, in the event that it's intervention was needed, a fact that unnerved Admiral Harkin, but remained Prince's orders.
 
Back
Top