Galactic Legacy

ChelonianCommander

ChelonianCommander

Strength of Steel, Will of Iron
Within the low atmosphere of Treilo, Head Forge Master Khebb wait on his personal Mobile Factory as his Forge Masters set in the calculations for the first trip outside of their system. With an unknown galactic chart in their ship map, and a wide galaxy to explore, the Vurax prepare a brave Forge Master to explore planets beyond in a frigate known as 'The Manifest.' Master Khebb cannot wait for the launch, nor can the rest of the Forge Masters by his side.

"<This shall be a monumental occasion for Vurax. We shall be teaching future generations of this day.>" He commented.

"<What you say is true Head Forge Master. Still I think we should wait for the others to come to us. It would be easier to speak with them with the full might of the Vurax military behind us. Will the other sentients think us weak for sending a single ship?>" Asks Khebb's apprentice

"<That is what I want Thenn. If they think us weak, then they will not think of us as a threat. If they do not think of us as a threat then they shall underestimate us when they attempt to invade.>" Explained the Head Forge Master. After his explanation, the Forge Master upon 'The Manifest' contacts Khebb's Mobile Factory.

"<Head Forge Master. The AI Calculations are ready. We only need your word to activate the FTL drives.>" Said the Forge Master.

"<Of course. Forge Masters. Join me in a prayer for Forge Master Grith's safe journey.>" Beckoned Khebb and the Forgemasters lowered their heads and raised their claws. "<Great Vertinaca, if your great wisdom you have given us your knowledge and inspiration to gather peace from war, to claim order from chaos, and to seek truth from lies. We now ask that you allow Forge Master Grith a safe journey across the stars. Let us activate the drives with confidence and pride for you give us confidence and through you we earn our pride. Activate the Drives. May Vertinaca see us fit for this task.>" They prayed and with a few pushes of levers the Frigate's engines brighten then in flies into the stars faster then the eyes can process. The Forge Masters were quiet as they waited to see what will happen in the next few seconds.

"<...Head Forge Master, 'The Manifest''s signal still burns. We are successful!>" The Vurax on board began to celebrate as Khebb looked onward. He had accomplished something marvelous, but like all leaders he must wonder if he had made the right decision to be the first to engage with an alien world.
 
Deep in the belly of the super massive ship New-Qwyun, Sat in a dank and grim cell a male Vissaigian roosted in worn repose. His clothing torn and scales peeled, blood old and new decays into its shades of sanguine black painting floor and walls with an opaque sheen. The room drowned in shadow save for the single mercy of a dirty cut of light across the middle of the room, He stirs to the robust clap of foot work echoing into his cell, Hardly commanding the strength to support his own battered hide he sits up to crawl along the lengths of his cells wall standing with a shake in bold defiance. That bitter steel door holding him in Slams open and of it three persons loom.

"...its time...."

A female voice softly but sharply said with heavy hateful eyes cutting across the cell to the male.

The male shambles out to her as the other two large males with the female reach to carry him, he smiles and with a ragged and scratchy voice replies "A...A..bout..t ime.. " turning his head to leer single eye at the female "..Wehl"

The Female steps forward and shift single action cleaves the back of her hand into the male with such a force that what teeth he had left cave into his mouth, the two other males with her purse their lips to the sound on edge of a smile.

"SCUM. you will not Speak MY name" She snarls with a flick of a forked tongue pulling a swift about face to march out as those two other males drag him along her wake.

This nameless male, laughing only to come to a peaceful silence as he falls trance to the steady pace of the steel plated hall ways and the glow and dim of murky lights But with every step closer the roar of countless others fill into the halls. Cutting across an open lobby full to the brim with the whispered words of politicians only to than be drown to the bellowing cries of the inner most chambers, Faces lighten with cruel humors and hateful rage as the two large males drag him in. Within the inner chamber a massive hollow split in two, with the heads and representatives of powerful and important scets with those of lesser standing or size sat to the bottom but before all them in the far end of this massive room a single entity sat. The nameless man dragged to its middle and rose on a hoovering platform for all to see.

This male upon a wrought throne fitted and detailed with fine stone work rolled his knuckles as the room filled with curses, stomping and screams of all nature, A hand rose Silently and the room fell to a rapt silence. Leaning into light with his heavy brow shading his eyes as fanged fingers fold over one another and thus spoke in a booming voice hard and weary, on edge of screaming in a fury but kept calm.

"...Vesz... Vedki..."

He stands nearly jumping out of his Throne as the namesless man now identified as Vesz Vedki looked on unimpressed

"Yes...Oh order of Aysile You did not Hear me wrong, This ..THIS MAN here"
lancing a spiteful judgmental finger cast down upon Vesz "Is The Very Man who ha~as BLED "
Pointing finger balls into a fist thrusting into the air "Our beloved ...our only..Home... This man... Emperor Vedki"

The room rolls with shuffling and unrest

"it is he Who has brought ruin upon our solar system, he alone --who in blind madness Design A weapon so Horrid so E-VAL to which its only possible function was M U R D E R , Yet these bodies here would not listen to Our plea and cast down the vote to start war to stop, laughing it off that no fool could surely mean to use such on his own kin?"

He sits fading from sight in the shadow of his throne has his voice lowers to a deep growl

"Here we are...with this...False leader having fired two--TWO shots that slew the moon of Merk and our homeworld Qwyun causing a grand cascade of ruin to befall all those who bask in the grace of K'duines eye. Dare i say if not for these brave stonescaled heroes.." his hand wove to his right with five unpleasant looking Vissaigians rising "...we would all be dead. Vesz Vedki, we have hunted your bloodline and culled it as a scythe does the Sand bloom..you are the last of your line And I-- " the man rose as did all those within the room. "--Rhylihan Merickqale Emperor of This Aysilian --Condemn you to Death, WHAT SAY THE ORDER?! " he screams as the room explodes into madness, cries, thumping of tails and feet thundering all agreeing while Rhylihan sweeps hands into the air. Vesz is taken to meet his fate laughing as Rhylihan sits back down rising once more his hand to quell the room.

The room stalls to a silence, Rhylihan speaks now with a more professional tone "Now, my aysilian kin to the true reason I have called you here...Wehl, give your report order.

Wehl, a sharply dressed female Vissaigian strode out to the central platform where vesz was once. " My lord, As to your orders I have gathered all information about the current state of the empire"

"Go on" Rhylihan commands

Wehl looks to her info-pad "My lord, as of now over 87% of all resources within the solar system are either spent or other wise lost due to the actions of the Vedki empire, Majority of this is in what we have screened as salvageable elements of planetary infrastructure and debris from many ships. We have lost an estimated 10.9 Billion of our citizens.."

Rhyliahan and many other members in the inner chamber slump in their chairs or rub their temples if not just shake their heads. "...insanity..." Rhyilahan whispers to himself.

A Lurthorn sect head stands "..What of the fleet!?"

Wehl snaps out a response "Standing fleet is about 38.6 thousand, that number however, is added from the fleets with those we took from Vedki. Much of our personal made craft are in near ruin and are being repaired as we speak But the process is going slow, it will take about..." she glances down to her pad and scrolls it some. "... two years if we are only able to get new resources through salvaging."

The Lurthorn sect head scoffs while he took his seat.

Wehl goes on with her report after waiting for him to sit back down "...As to your orders My lord, Command Station 7 is being refitted as a dyson solar panel however with current restrictions it can only make five leafs that would cover less then four percent of K'duine...that said it will give us more power needed now that..." She takes a breath and sighs "....our power needs have halved..."

Rhylihan spun his hand as he spoke now "What of that signal that we got some time ago, any news on its point of origin? and what of the Faster than light drive?"

Looking down to her pad Welh sweeps her hand across the screen and a large hologram of the galaxy shows as lights dim. " My lord, the signal is lost to us but the information it gave was massive, we now have a seemingly endless array of not only stars but the safe passage between them with use of the FTL drives. As you had Commanded we tested and proved this technology is a reality, the two vessels : Dreadnoughts HMS Reht and HMS Zalzye are being stocked and nearly done with general refitting of the completed drive, once these larger ships have tested in full a larger design for the New-Qwyun will be conceived and produced post haste."

"Thank you Welh, lastly what have the long range senors told us of these stars? have they planets? "

"long range senors and spectral analysis confirm what the unknown signal sent..as well as malformation that would hint to...other space faring civilizations"

The room stirs with talking and debate only to return to silence as the emperor rose his hand "Surely? Truly I had seen and read but could not think my eyes saw what they did, have we gained any proof of this?"

Welh cant help but crack a smile as she read this part of the report "Yes! My lord" *coughs and closes eyes for a fleeting second* "Yes My Lord. Senors have flagged a single planet near us, one listed by the unknown signal as Jewel of the sky."

The room once more breaks into murmurs of thought and disbelief, the Emperor himself sits up in his chair and runs the length of his fingers across his head before standing clapping once. Hes tone grim and his body worn, ever word that spilled out from his mouth whispered to a sorrow.

"My dear Aysilians, my kin, we --as a not only an empire but as a race sit on the edge of oblivion, our home has wept in our wake and we have failed it as it now lays in waste. I Emperor Rhylihan Merickqale purpose this: We MUST leave K'duine and seek a NEW home for our children...less damn them to be forever languish in desolation, To never know the warmth of a sun, to never see a skies crown over head. We must marshal all we have, take all that is left here in our ruined home...and leave. With you kin here, with blood thick and deep as the sands of Qwyun, sit in idle? to waste away...or shall we embrace this challenge? as we have always done. I demand a vote now, have no time to spare."

All within the shutter with a shock of what was said, they turn and talk for some time pouring over all the information they have picking apart every aspect of the sad reality they now face, Dark consul chambers brim with the light of electronics as debate carries on endlessly till the sea of turning heads all spun to single out their leaders. Each sect leader rose, they cast a vote, it is collected and given to the emperor.

"..So it is, We Leave "

Some heads nod as others shake, the emperor stands and leaves as the room floods out. Later in the personal chambers of the emperor, Wehl enters in tow with the five Heroes, captains that played key rolls in the destruction of Vedki. They stand at attention before the emperor who looked over to them from beyond a desk thick with paper work. Rhylihan smiles and Addresses each by name, as each is called they take a small step forward.

"Captain Veyt" ---"My Lord!"
"Captain Yui'hurt ---"My lord"
"Captain Jheea" ---"...My lord"
"Admiral Qezualia" ---"Lord Merickqale"
"And lastly Rear Admiral Klkit" --- "Sir! "

"You are the best my empire has to give, you have proven yourself to be true soldiers, Wqeathe himself would take pride at the sight of you. However...I can not give you the rest you surely deserve and have for you another task, will you take it?" Each stand in resolute silence, Rhylihan smiles as he stands, walking side to side as he spoke " Each of you shall be given small fleet of science craft and deep scan arrays to then explore These following star systems. Gelfleyturn, Sheana and Zastrurn. You will not only be scanning these stars for useful elements but as potential new homes, Should any planet rise to be useful in this you will return And only return to report this after an in-depth probe into the planet itself." he smiles "Shall spare me a beating of questions from our Ihaath scientist" They smirk and laugh some "Joking aside, I am giving you the task to be the eyes and ears of not only me but all those whom we call dear. Do you understand and take this task?"

Veyt, Yui'hurt, Jheea, Qezualia and klkit all at once shout "My Lord! We Risk Our blood for AYSILE! "

"you may leave, Admiral Qezualia, stay. I have another task for you." The others about face and leave the chambers as till only Wehl, Qezualia and the Emperor lingered in the room. Rhylihan Stood before her looking down to her only to then personally hand her a small data crystal "Admiral Qezualia Of Luthorn, You and your vessel, Dreadnought Zalzye, FTL fleet carrier. I command you to go to the star system Known as Jewel of the sky and confirm if there are indeed another race of space faring beings here. If so i am giving you the permission to make first contact, if they are friendly glean all you can from them and open trade as soon as you can. I have ordered your vessel to be stocked with what small value we have left, wines, gold, tech. Things of this nature. If they are unfriendly or turn you away, gain all you can about their technology. While we cant suffer another waqr right now we must mind who is around us."

Wehl chimes in "Your vessel has been refitted and repaired and is even now being painted, first impressions last as long as the deserts heat...as they say"

Qezualia salutes "Understood, Sir. It shall be done " She snaps around and leaves leaving Wehl and Rhylihan, Wehl returns to her desk as Rhylihan walks to his window placing hands behind his back, its view the ruin of Qwyun.

"...Soon."
 
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The transmission signal, initially thought to have been just a prank by the scientists involved until the first test of the drive proved that it worked (Who new that Fortalium Dust could be used in such a way?), had sparked fervent debate throughout the entirety of the United tribes. Back and forth arguments raged, hosted upon basically all television channels as to why the transmission was sent, from who, what to do now and, most importantly, if the analysts were correct in assuming that other civilisations not only existed, but that one was now a simple (SIMPLE!) jump from the Jewel.

Having already completed short range jumps from planet to planet within the system, discovering a variety of new resource nodes as well as entirely new resources, the populace was pushing for the navy to make the first true jump, make their way towards another solar system, perhaps even the one that was now known to the public as The eye of K'duine. When the Strong-Shifter finally released the press conference where he claimed that the jump to an isolated system was to be made within a month, parties became a common occurance as many imagined what new worlds were out there to colonise, new species to meet and adapt...

Of course, most of this instantly died down when a Dreadnought decided to pop in to the system.

Alerts instantly sounded as most of the Forlan fleet reacted in what would later be shown to be record time, appearing all around the foreign Dreadnought. Anger Class surrounded the ship, wary of every movement it could make as three despair Class cruisers turned to show their starboard side to the ship, ready at any moment to lift hatches and swarm the vessel should it make a shot. Everything was on high alert, so imagine the surprise felt by most of those watching the scene when they each received a signal, asking for permission to transfer a package.

Briefly telling all troops not to accept the program and isolating a single computer, Admiral Claws of Gold, positioned upon the Despair Class ship Mother Bird accepted. Data streamed across, data that quickly assembled itself into what seemed to resemble the translation software sent through the Mysterious Transmission. As various employees shared looks with each other, Admiral Claws of Gold ordered that a copy of our language be directly inputted into the program. Soon after doing so a large icon of confirmation appeared on the screen of the isolated computer, as well as every other computer in the room.

After sharing a look of unease with those closest to him, Claws of Gold glided his way towards a speaker placed withing the centre of the command room. Quickly setting the speaker to broadcast on all channels accessible to him st the moment, he leaned into it and, for the first time in the history of his people, spoke to an extraterrestrial. "This is admiral Claws of Gold of the United Forla Tribes, please state your purpose here as well as why you have arrived within a ship of war." He said through the speaker.

Now that he had a chance to look at the ship, he noted a variety of different factors. The colour scheme was... eclectic, and certainly not helpful when it came to space combat. There seemed to be very few visible guns, however scans showed up a large variety of different signatures, denoting a diverse range of resources on board. Perhaps the guns were far more dangerous than they appeared and required a lot of minerals to sustain? He didn't like this...

A crackling disturbed the Asmiral from his thoughts as a foreign voice permeated throughout the room. "This is Admiral Qezualia of the Empire Of Aysile, I come in peace and with intentions of trade. My ship is stocked with many items from our people and carries diplomatic passengers." Qezualia responded. They sounded... decidedly reptilian, these people. He noted the telltale rasp of those that had gone a bit further down the reptile route than others.

Sighing in relief, the admiral wondered about what to do now? He had to inform the Strong-Shifter, but should he do it before or after he accepts? And he would accept, he knew that much. Not a single member of his species would, or even could, turn away from meeting a new one. "That is... well, it's good to hear Admiral Qezualia. If you don't mind, the current portion of the fleet nearby will help me escort you towards a more suitable place for trade talks?"
 
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In the command center of the Lookout, the Holy Protector stood in front of a large, holographic map of the sector. His robotic body leaned forward slightly as he looked the map over, plotting the best course of action for the Sentinel High Empire. Admirals and commanders also surrounded this map, saying nothing to let the Holy Protector think. After around 5 minutes however, Admiral Faith broke the silence.

"My lord, I believe that now is the time to give our fleet the orders. None of us can see a better course of action thus far, and letting other races come to us will give us time to establish a foothold in the sector. As much as we want to help protect life in this galaxy, we cannot do it with just one planet, we need to expand as soon as possible." The admiral looked back to the map and waited for the Holy Protector to respond.

"Yes... I believe that we have already made the best move. You may issue the orders." The Holy Protector didn't take his eyes of the map. Studying every inch of it, wanting to know exactly how his future home will look.

The admiral nodded, then went to the communications panel and hailed the other four vessels. "Alright guys, this is it. Listen carefully... Firstly, the Lookout will stay here with the Warden to greet any possible visitors, and to protect the system if they turn out to be hostile... Warden, we want you to take up position in close orbit around Guardian, the plan is the gravity of such close proximity to the star will mask your gravitational signature and cause most spectrum of light to be blinded by the star. Making any visitors think we are the only ship here, and that our fleet is much weaker than it really is... Shepard, you will warp to the Quglyria system, we have outfitted a good amount of dedicated research vessels in replacement of bombers... This applies to the Shield and Preserver as well. Research all you can about the system, as soon as your done report your findings back to us. Shield, you will do the same to the Fugraliv system. And Preserver, you will do the same to the Abruecarro system. Is all of that understood?"

"Yes sir!" - Commander Arrowhead of the Shepard
"Understood." - Admiral Nautalis of the Shield
"As you wish." - Admiral Hurricane of the Preserver
"Got it" - Grand Admiral Bulwark of the Warden

"Good." Faith nodded. "Now, let us go, for the Protector, for the Sentinels, for the future of life as we know it!" A cheer responded on the communications console, and the ships activated their warp drives, heading to their designated systems, as the warden, turned towards Guardian, calculating the closest they can safely be to Guardian. As all this happens, the Holy Protector finally turns his attention away from the map, heading towards the large windows at the front of the command center. He looks out, gazing at the stars. Wondering what will come of everything he knows, wondering, just who he will meet.
 
The Shivering Hunger was in rapture, its many corriders and quarters alive with the carnal songs of blood sport, torture, feasting, but the loudest of these melodies was, of course, the rapturous breeding. The Keltans, the children of the Cold God, were in bliss, for this day marked the beginning of a grand conquest, one that would finally free them from the bonds of their star cluster and carry the arm of the Grey Horde and its Butcher King into the black, infinite cosmos beyond. Preparations were constantly being carried out by the menagerie of enslaved species, from numerous worlds beyond count, hopeless in their plight, forever bound to their cruel masters until their last breaths left their broken, desecrated bodies. Within the common halls, great banquets were arranged, seductive in their volume, wanton in the draw they had over the stomachs of those there were meant for. No flesh was cooked, raw, living, and writhing, the meals sought escape or mercy, or some final way to inconvenience the slavering, ashen monsters which fed upon their skin and viscera and bone with an almost sexual desire, fueled by the genetic memory of ancestors who worshiped a dead star. A forbidden deity. A bleak, desolate force, enigmatic and horrible to all but Its children.

Within the grandest of chambers, the War God made his home. Lavish with every spoil he'd ever claimed, it was a shrine to dark decadence, and in its center stood a massive, obsidian statue. A robed figure, gaunt and horrifying, with a crown of thorned horns around its brow, and eyes so deep and pitiless they seemed to drink the light itself from the air. In its great, clawed hands it carried a blade as large as itself, as dark as the void in which they travels, and yet, shimmering with a pale, aquamarine light, though perhaps that was only a trick the eyes played when one starred at the statue for too long. Within the legs of the towering sculpture was a throne of pillows, so light they may as well have been clouds, so soft it was a marvel that one did not sink into their depths. It was here that he resided. The Hungering Sword of long lost Telhvor XIX, Xeon Marli'Car. Even among his people, this being was a true demon, both in physical stature, and in the acts he'd committed in the name of his religion, and for personal glory. Around his mountain of comfort lounged the greatest of his prizes.

Females. Of his own kind, and one of each of all the worlds he had raped and pillaged.

The lucky ones were with child. Writhing spawn of an evil seed that gnawed at their bodies and souls from the inside, demanding sustenance and freedom, so that they too might follow in their father's footsteps.

The father himself was proud of his collection. The ones that took his gift and returned to him with sons and daughters were his wives, and they were many. The ones who pleased him, but gave him no children were his harem, and they were many more so than the spouses. The ones that did not please him, and bore him no descendants were little more than toys, to be used as he saw fit, and then devoured at his leisure. His cold eyes overlooked them all, one at a time, eyes without a scrap of warmth or mercy, eyes that shone with a light that had seen stars fall to ruin, that had seen eons come and go.

For Xeon had always been their King.

No, that wasn't quite right. There had been several others before him, but he had ruled so long that none living, save him himself, remembered their names. None except for the Last of the Apostles. The Maw of God, the Calamitous Giant, the Starless Night. His kind's first Butcher King, the one who had led them into the stars, the last of the Old Blood, and the first of the New Blood. The progenitor of the Marli'Car dynasty.

For the Keltans did not age, not like most species. Eventually, time took them, yes, but time could be warded off. The reaper could be pushed back. Such things required a great deal of violence, of sanguine blood consumed, and gifts to the Slayer of Warmth and his Apostles. The gods demanded sacrifice, and rewarded their most pious providers with boundless life. One such sacrifice was in progress now. One of the slave girls, a disappointing specimen gifted with neither bedchamber skill nor aesthetic appeal, was in the midst of being one such offering. Consumed alive, in the act of breeding, while half of the slaves looked on in frantic horror, and others with cold, dead indifference, having seen such things countless times enough to grow numb to the effects of such in act. In the middle of this most sacred of rights, the High Lord of Slaughter found himself interrupted.

"Your Grace," Spoke Luxix Peth, Advisor to the War God, High Priest to the Cold God, and First of the Council of Grand Wraiths, "It is nearly time. The enslaved assure me that preparations are nearly complete." He neither bowed nor knelt, for Keltans were above such things. These simpering acts did not show respect in their eyes. Salutes and standing formalities, other than titles, were a concept lost upon them, as was modesty, for outside of battle, no true Child of Frost would ever cover their monstrous forms. It was taboo, it was shameful, and beyond that, a sin. A grave, horrid sin. His king, a colossus bordering on five meters tall, gazed up from his half eaten bed mate, wide eyed and hungry for something beyond flesh. When he spoke, the very room seemed to shake with whatever power fueled their entire race.

"The planet is stripped? Barren? None are left who walk its fields, and none may come after us to collect forgotten trinkets and ore?"

"As far as our Laborers and Warriors tell us, my Lord, you speak truth. All is taken and loaded upon our armada, or slain. We leave not a thing, not a thing but another planet murdered in your name and offered up to God. May he bless us with many sons, and many daughters..."

"And many more worlds to give Him." They both finished, in unison, reciting a common prayer among their king. Another bite through chitinous plate and ruined flesh, bones crackling and snapping with a wet finality before the remains of the corpse left his hand, deftly tossed to one of his guard. "For the children. It still has warmth from which they can suckle. Take it to them on your way out, Luxix, and then inform the Horde that we march forth into the abyss this very night, and then convene the Council. Until then," Xeon went on, grabbing for another of his brood whores, an insectoid female with a form full of strange beauty and grace who came lustily to the conqueror and enslaver of her kind, "I am not to be disturbed."

As Grand Wraith Peth left, supper for the royal heirs in hand, his King's chambers filled with shrill, chittering, clacking sounds of want and need and flesh, as his Lord and his concubine became one with each other. It was truly appropriate he felt, that such deeds would mark a new beginning for their kind, and the end for all others.

Hours later, the frozen world below them exploded with activity, its sky filling with an apocalyptic armada, like locusts rising from a grain field stripped clean. One by one, they left its bleak, empty bonds and took their place around the Hunger, ready for the next great step. Tens of hundreds of thousands they were, a grotesquely diverse ensemble, a testament to how many worlds had already fallen. As one, each and every ship lurched, shuddered and then ceased to be, tearing past the limits of the light barrier and hurtling into the inky heavens beyond.

The Collective was finally unleashed, and woe be to any who encounter them.
 
In the glowing blue light of Yupriahiri, Mykol shown a vibrant pink with deep pockets of indigo as space station Morchella gently rotates above.
A small face looks out in a child-like wonder at the planet below , "It looks so pretty from up here!" Koni Veluntina exclaimed to her fellow helms-woman Psuly Russula.

" Calm down Koni, the Captain is due on deck any minute and you are too busy gazing out that window like a sporeling . Now back to your station." she ordered.

"But this is the first time we have had a Real chance to see it," groaned Koni, slightly defeated she hurried to her station at the radar screens.
Just moments as she sat down the Bridge doors coward open as a line of officers began marching in.

"Captain on deck." Boomed a rather large Tělonian, whose head was mere inches from the ceiling of the corridor. His skin a cool grey as the edges shifted to a light brown where his gills met his neck, his helmet firmly adjusted for a proper fit.
Behind him a smaller, more slender figure walked through onto the bridge, her coloration drastically different that his. A neon pink coral-like afro adorned her head as her skin was a softer shade of pink, it contrasted with the dark green of her uniform.
She walked with a confidant grace that even the simplest engineer could tell that she was an Elite Spore.

"At Ease FM. Cubensis, lets not spook the new cadets on their first exploration mission." she spoke softly yet stern and precise, while not missing a beat she added' " Alright ladies and Gents, lets get this show on the road."
"Fire up those engines Miss...." her gaze falls on the small cadet at the controls, who whirls around once she realizes to whom the Captain was referring to, "I-Its Hemls-woman Russula, Psuly Russula, Captain Ramaria Mam."

" Please, call me either just Captain, or Metrice. Regardless, lets get those engines going Helms-woman Russula." the captains smile both excited and terrified the young cadet as she turns around and starts pressing the necessary controls to get the warp drives online. "T-minus 8 minutes till launch, Captain.

"Very good, remind me again once we get at the minute mark," Metrice calmly ordered out, " Cubensis, what are the reports on the fleet?"

"Reports show all areas are in the clear, all ships for the mission are all ready and in formation, it appears there was another riot on the surface near the capital, another Geastrum supporter blew up a security checkpoint."

"The sooner we leave this star system the better, those "HomeBodies" can have their stupid fucking rock," Metrice looks around, " Open a fleet wide channel."

As ordered a small ooze of a fungus quickly presses the panel and nods towards the Captain.

"This is Captain Metrice Ramaria of the TSS Narthuun, today is a great day for all Tělonians, a day where we reach past the confines of the system we have all grown and lived. A day where we look into the great darkness and see the light of the future for our people. "
stirs and whispers start to hum around the ship, "What I ask from all of you is to join me into a better tomorrow, to work with one another for Our future, the future We make. Born from different planets, different stations, I recognize that not all of you share the same backgrounds, the same Upbringings, But, you are all Here for the same reason. To be amongst the first Tělonians to travel beyond the safety of our system and into the Unknown, I would like to personally thank everyone for their services, and wish everyone luck on the mission ahead."

The crew claps and cheers as the excitement infects through the ship.

The ship creaked as the final tethers to the station were being severed, engines whirling to life, slowly drifting the ship away from port.

"T-minus one minute Captain." Psuly squeaked out of anxiety,

"Everyone to their stations, we are about to launch." Called out the young cadet over the Coms.

"Once we hit light speed and even out I'd like a word Cubensis," Metrice's eyes not leaving her logs and notes on her Bracer.

"Aye Captain,"

As the seconds counted down, Tensions grew stronger, all waiting in anticipation.

The Narthuun lurched forward as the engines fully engaged, the smaller ships following suit

"10...9...8...7...6.....5.....4......3.....2.... Launch.

The jets on the back of the ships glow then flare out as the ships blink out of view from the station, straight into the unknown.
 
A month had gone by since the Manifest had left Vurax space. Since then the Vurax had began setting making plans to exploit the resources in their system. Head Forge Master Khebb sits inside his personal workshop examining the map of the galaxy as he had several times over by now, planning expansions and making planets marked for colonization outside their system. Half-finished machenery litter the workshop as worker drones fly around organizing, cleaning up the place and breaking down any scrapped projects to use later. His work was interrupted when he hears the hollow banging of someone at his door.

"<Enter. The door is not locked.>" He said and the door automatically opens up, allowing a 9 Segmented Vurax with a blue painted shell walks into the workshop with two small drones flying just above her.

"<Greetings Head Forge Master. I am Forge Master Driix. I am responsible for tracking the Manifest on its journey. I have rather concerning news.>" Driix said.

Khebb turns to face Forge Master Driix. "<Is that so? Tell me what concerns my Forge Masters.> Asks Khebb. Driix gestures to one of the drones and the drone flies forward and projects a map of the galaxy, with a line marking Treilo and the destination of the ship, a planet that is said to hide remote life, Gaia. "<I am pleased to report that it seems that the Manifest had exited our system and sector without any trouble so far. However we have problems with contacting Forge Master Grith. We suspect the worst.>"

"<That is...unfortunate to hear. However communicating through space is not an exact art for us as of yet. If anything has happened to the Manifest then the on board AI will continue the mission. For now monitor the Manifest for any abnormality.>" Ordered Khebb and Driix bowed.

"<At once Head Forge Master.>" She said before leaving Khebb to his map.

---

Trapped in the orbit of Guardian Prime, The Manifest drifts aimlessly while circling the planet. The ship's captain has long been dead, having starved to death a galactic week ago after running out of food the week before. The Ship's AI has taken over, but now lays dormant. The Drones designed to repair, maintain and guard the ship has been deactivated to save power but a spark remains as the Manifest has begun sending out a distress signal throughout the system. Hoping to catch the attention of any potential life forms nearby.
 
Captain Veyt look on to the red star Gufleyturn over a tactical hologram and its two lonely celestial bodies, A months time withered at his mortality but had much to show for it. Both planets, Gufleyturn prime and Gufleyturn II, now shimmer with artificial lights in orbit of vessels and satellite running invasive scans probing every inch of the planet. Entering orbit about twenty-three days ago; Captain Veyt spread his fleet of five hundred and eighty-one craft rewarded to him for this task across both planets and the star its self setting up a temporary Jump nod system between his larger craft. Hazardous weather on Gulfeyturn prime prooved far to mad to land without first opening a path with a burst of high energy-air compression waves to disperse problematic weather systems.

Gufleyturn II however was another undertaking that took on a different hardship, landing parties who explored on foot for any reason and therein removed their environmental protection suits found themselves distracted by far more base needs, A small containment glass of the gases that acted as an aphrodisiac glisten out at Veyt who sat with his lieutenant.

"Couldn't say it would do for a new home...but would be a sure bliss to take the females toOo" whispers Veyt to his lieutenant, the two old vissaigians share a boyish chuckle.

Captain Yuihurt having done just as Captain Veyt in that They entered the Sheana star system one month ago rewarding them with about twenty-three days ago days of branching out. Just as Veyt, Yuihurt had five hundred and eighty-one given to him to see to his task. Of those numbers only three where PTP Jump carriers one of which had made its way to the Star itself setting up a solar array leaving a small detachment of recon, AED [Automatic Exploration Drone] And observation drones to each planet the two other carriers didn't take orbit around.

Lastly Rear Admiral Klkit and Captain Jheea oversaw the exploration of Zastrurn, a blue star with only three planets but each of a larger size. As Klkit focused on setting up the solar array and interplanetary assets Jheea focused her time on diving into the planets fitting her command vessel on Zastrurn II as the fleet spread out between the three planets.

To the other end of the sector Admiral Qezualia had agreed to the request from the male who called himself Claws of Gold and for about twenty days spoke about culture, trade desires and many other topics while keeping a strategic vagueness about much of it. Admiral Qezualia of Luthorn, a robust and stout female who shared much with her vessel: The HMS Zalzye, one of only two Dreadnought class Carriers donned with an FTL engine; Both Wounded and colorful with scars of all nature, proven and respected. Up to this point all communication was over non-visual means but now Qezualia contacts Claws of Gold allowing him full sight of her. She in the tactical standard uniform reflecting her station showed a face cut with a line of color, the left of her face ribbon with scar tissue pale in hue that fades into the strong earthy shades of her patterned hide the more right it goes.

Qezualia formally invites Claws of Gold and select officers to her ship as a show of benevolence as well as to show her wares for trade, in turn to do the same, scanning what they would trade to ensure its usability all in hope the deal itself would be approved. Should they come aboard, upon that worn ship Zalzye These Florans would find its halls as scarred as its keeper, mismatching colors in the alloys hinting to a violent past but keen damage control. While the wounds of old line Zalzye's halls and rooms it is clean and well lit, warm in color but being a vessel of war had no windows. Tactical pipe work and drones hiss and buzz around over head while the crew cursorily eye'd these aliens. Officers commanded themselves in respective tones but spoke relaxed and open wanting to know about Floran history while a few of the more friendly design would try to lure Florans to the recreational bay and see what they thought of Aysilian food,drink and sport.

Qezualia's personal room being a slight mess with old reports piled on her desk, walls adorned with enemy flags and weapons and even a few strange rock formations encased in glass. Should Claws of Gold Come and speak with her as his officers explored this alien craft he would no doubt be tempted by her with bottles of Frhal and Theet wines. Frhal was a bitter but strong drink brewed to stir the mind and warm the body as Theet was an intoxicating silk smooth sweetness. They would speak on much with the last topic being, should this deal be approved, do their leaders meet? and if so who goes to who?

Sat in the Emperors chambers, ill lit and thick with smoke from buaal leafs burning in pipes, Three unpleasant persons accost Rhylihan.

"My lord, Surely you didn't send that tight-scaled murderer.." a hand rolls in a spin " Whats her name?" spat a female, her words bellow out a thick gray cloud of smoke puffed from her long pipe held aloft in her other hand.

snapping to respond in rude tone from the back of the room" Qezualia of Luthorn"

Female gives a half turn blowing out a blockish smoke ring "Yes, her. Ugh. Distasteful my lord --I must protest. letting a...Thick-skull Luthorn be the first thing a alien race see of us! And for a trade deal no less...would not some one from my family be more wise for such a choice?" resting her hand to her cheek " Oh those poor folk, dealing with such a cold brute..."

A male to the side of this loud female sharply cuts into her vocal display "Yes, I too must voice concern over your choice, aside from her physical appearance you gave her a dreadnought no less? the fleet is loose as is sir, surely..any other ship.."

Rhylihan watching all this from across his desk sat erect and composed listening to them save for the wave of subtle flinching brows to both the smoke and their words about Qezualia. Leering his gaze to the female.

"Etheaalia Balabuil..." Vision drifts to the back of the room at the male "...Yuuk Issule..." Lastly to the male aside Etheaalia " And Iffhual Ihaath...You ALL are far too.. important for such a risk a task, you are the heads of our power, Each over seeing Agriculture, Scientific and Commerce. You.. " standing up as he spoke "...All have rolls to play here, as our people sit on edge to ruin. Without your wisdom to help us and the trust from Aysilians you've gained in your hard work, where would we be hm? Qezualia was sent to lay out the road before us with an unknown alien force, should they turn their hands she would fight and flee or die--not without giving us due warning but should she return with her task done I... " Turning her eyes back to the Etheelia "...Shall turn you loose upon them Balabuil, allow them to take in the shine of your jewel-like scales as you surely spin them into trade deal after trade deal. "And Good Yuuk, you and your kinsmen will be needed to find these aliens cultural weakness for vice! craft wines and conjure foods to lure them as they would us--you shall be who I go to." Yuuk just crosses his arms.

Looking over and down to Iffhual who toys with some small ball of wires hooked to a screen "..Surely aliens would bring new technology.." Iffhual freezes for a second before working faster.

"So please, till Qezualia do as you would normally. Picking apart what was already voted on...cutting down some one that has bled for their kin is... d i s t a s t e f u l." his voices lowers to a growl.

"Hrmp, Well If YOU put it like that " recrossing her legs before standing up in a sudden jerk "You'll come to me when the Real trade talk starts?"

"Whom else could I even trust with such a task, ...Etheaalia" he said with his back turned from her while returning to his desk.

Etheaalia gives a curious sweep of her brow on edge of a questionable smile before giving a silent and slight bow, turning around and leaving with Yuuk behind her.

sat to his chair Rhylihan sees Iffhual still fussing with his ball of wires"Have you something to add Iffhual?"

"Well...Sir...I had given my report to Wehl but since I am here I mind as well tell you, The operation to fit New-Qwyun with the faster than light engine is going smoothly however as we plan to use the moon as our new home much of the inners are hollow for the general public"

"meaning?"

"Rather then build one large scale engine for the whole ship we will have to break it into four to six--one for each face of the station. as such we have had to start a new tunnel system and start contenting them."

Rhylihan pets his chin " Yes...much of the station took damage when Qwyun was shot but the Vedki super weapon..."

"mm yes, as we focus all our resources on the undertaking we are making great time but if your little Qezualia fails at her mission or the exploration fails to find anything of use we will have to cannibalize a good number of ships" Wagging his finger from the ball of wires "that could take about two years, making it four or more years in all. if anything is found or this gamble works its cut down to two...anything over six or eight, we most likely will be dead or dying"

"Well, here is to our luck" Tipping his empty glass to Iffhual who in reaction stands with a scoff "Illogical" before storming out of the chamber.

Wehl closes the door as Rhylihan sits back in his chair. "...Should I exchange the crown for a rattle...? "looking at his arm "Makes my scales fade"
 
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Claws of Gold was... uncomfortable, to say the least. The feeling had begun the moment he stepped upon the battleweary ship with his most trusted advisors and a diplomat sent by the Strong-Shifter himself. As he had glanced around the ship, he had felt... disturbed. He knew what the scars represented, of the battles this ship had quite obviously gone through, and it unnerved him for it meant one of two things. Either these battles had been recent, perhaps even still ongoing, or these people were more warlike than he had hoped, placing value upon the scarring of their ships instead of returning it to it's former glory.

Traversing down the corridors had been interesting. As one by one his crew slipped off to do their duty and try to learn more about the Aysilian culture, Claws of Gold couldn't help but feel somewhat amused as they quickly begin to outclass the other crew in their own sports (then again the various tails, wings and altered bodies may have something to do with it).

Somewhat eager to get his orders over with, Claws of Gold had been quick to meet Qezualia in her office. When he had first entered his fellow admiral's personal office, they had finally been able to get a good look at each other. Claws of Gold had chosen to model himself after the tales of the Dragons of old, with long, arching wings currently furled upon his back, midnight scales adorning his body, bright blue, slitted eyes and golden claws from which he derived his namesake clacking against the steel. As he took in the Admiral, should she do the same she would notice that he was not without his imperfections as well. Despite his body holding the mandatory genes from an animal on their home land with an extraordinary healing factor, a long, jagged scar ran from the centre of his chin all the way to the left of his hip, most of it hidden by his uniform.

Sighing, he got back to the task at hand. The uncomfortable one. The one that he had been informed of by the diplomat, who now entirely resembled an Aysilian (The crew's reaction to that had been quite hilarious). As he peered over the desk at Qezualia, he sighs, sculls the wine in his hands and places it upon the desk. As Qezualia peers at him in confusion, he sighs again before opening his mouth the speak, stapling his fingers together as he does so. "Right. I've been informed by my superior, although only the Strong-shifter knows how that guy is my superior, that... well, there is very little available for trade between us." He says, inwardly cringing as he observes the reaction from Qezualia. When none came and the woman maintained her neutral attitude, he continued.

"See, the problem is the planets upon which our species has evolved. I don't know much about your planet, but it clearly wasn't a lot like ours. Our planet has, from our very beginning, been out to remove us. Almost every organism down there is extremely dangerous and should you land there without a containment suit you would most likely be dead within hours." He explained. "When we first received your invite, I had to undergo a lot of containment procedures that make sure that the varying organisms in my body do not leave me, for fear of infecting your crew."

"This is where the problem comes from. We as a species have evolved to adapt to these challenges, mimicking them and utilising the various factors in order to facilitate growth. For example, take the Glumor tree, a tree chefs often use the leaves of in order to add spice to their meals. Now, should our species eat a meal involving that leaf, my species would taste a mildly spicy meal while yours would be under assault from a neurotoxin that carries a very real risk of death." He pauses to catch his breath before gesturing towards the wine bottles. "While I'm sure that in your species, this is the height of vintage, to my tongue it tastes as if it is 70% water."

"Fortunately not all hope is lost. We are very interested in certain technologies on board the ship, specifically the Umbral no.256, AI sophistication and the high frequency blades, which we believe when combined with our own technology to open an entirely new avenue of research. We also hold a great interest in your production facilities, however there will need to be a lot more discussion concerning them. In return we are able to offer a vast majority of basic resources as well as our planet's own Fortalium dust and information of newly discovered gas found on a nearby planet that is seemingly able to warp reality to a... noticeable degree, if reports are accurate."

Elsewhere

As Claws of Gold explained the situation to Qezualia, the rest of the Forlan fleet was on the move. Despite the original arrival of the alien dreadnought overshadowing the first FTL jump, that had not stopped the strong shifter from sending half of the Forlan fleet to all systems within the sector except for the Aysilian system, these ships being accompanied by an assortment of scientists and engineers, all eager to map out the planet's in each sector, as well as unlock the secrets which they may contain.

The rest of the fleet had been focused upon matters closer to home as each planet within the native Forla system was surveyed and an action decided on what to do with each. All but Jewel X and Jewel II were decided to have mining outposts stationed upon them in order to increase production rates. Jewel X and Jewel II were designated to support a new colony of Forlans and a Research outpost respectively. The fleet would soon set out to begin construction.
 
The holy protector sat at a desk in his room aboard the Lookout. He has not had much of a rest for the past week or so, constantly shifting through reports given by the other ships, minute warp drive signatures being detected in systems far away, and internal affairs going on with the advent of FTL technology. It was hectic, but it wasn't the worst pile of emails and holographic papers hes gone through... He had a meeting with his admirals and commanders just the day before, a month had past and all the ships and successfully managed to do preliminary scans of the all the planets in their respective systems. And so he, along with all of his subordinates, decided what the best course of action would be with these systems. After much debate it was decided that the following would happen:
Every planet in the Quglyria would have a mining outpost except for Quglyria III and IV. Quglyria III would be given a research outpost to study the strange atmospheric readings that the drones recorded. And Quglyria IV would be given a colony due to its similarities to Gaia.
All planets in the Abruecarro would be given mining outposts as well except for Prime, II, and III. Prime and III will be given research outposts, Prime for its strange metallic composition and light spectrum, and III for its unnatural high amount of flora for such a planet. II will be given a military outpost for future use.

----------

After all of this was decided, the Holy Protector was finally able to relax, will, as much as a leader of a highly advanced civilization could relax. Well he thought he was going to be able to, but then the commander of the ship came into his quarters, a look of urgency on his face. The Holy Protector sighed and motioned for him to sit on one of the chairs in front of his desk. The commander nodded then sat. He then spoke immediately.

"My lord, we have detected an unidentified signal coming from the orbit of Guardian Prime. It appears to be the expected universal distress signal." The commander seemed worried, and he had all the right to be, they knew that the other sentient races were probably given the exact same information as themselves, but they were comparatively isolated compared to the locations of the other suspected worlds that housed sentient life. The Sentinels did not expect to get visitors so quickly, and were not planning for immediate diplomacy. They had expected races to come to them yes but not so soon. The Sentinel's had detected a faint warp signature originating from the edge of the system, however it was suspected to be a glitch in the system, and no other signatures were displayed afterwards, and it was a different signature than the projected warp signals ships would leave behind. So in turn, they thought nothing of it.

"This must be from the ship that the warp signature originated from. I knew we shouldn't of dismissed such a thing so easily. We must be more wary in the future." The Holy Protector shifted through his holographic papers, looking for the one that detailed the signature. "Let's warp to Guardian Prime, see what we can find."

"Yes, my lord.... But what if it is a trap?"

"We have two ships ready for whatever they throw at us, even if they brought something big, the Warden will come in to take care of it. Though I suspect the ship to be very small, based on the signature readings."

"Yes, my lord." The commander got up, bowed, then took his leave, heading to the bridge to relay the order.

-----

It took the ship about two days to warp to Guardian prime, but as soon as they arrived, drones were dispatched to investigate the origin of the signal. It didn't take long until they found a ship of unknown manufacture. It was, indeed tiny compared to what the Sentinels would be used to in terms of ship design, and after a few preliminary scans by the drones, it was determined to be safe enough for it to dock in one of the larger hanger bays of the Lookout. Once it was inside the Lookout, a security team was dispatched sweep out the interior of the ship. Once the doors of it were forced open however, a gas rolled out of the ship. The Security team quickly fled, as they had no protection against airborne threats, and the hanger was promptly evacuated until further notice.

After a few hours, the security team returned along with a research team, they were outfitted with gas masks and bio-hazard suits now over their combat gear. The security detail was right to assume that the gas would be highly toxic, and the entire ship was filled with it. The research team studied the gas and composition of the ship as much as they could while the security detail searches the ship. After many forced open doors they were able to completely open up the ship. They had found what was assumed to be the captain in the last room opened. And the research team promptly removed his body and took it for research. With that all done, the hanger was vented of the toxic gas, and the research of the vessel would continue on later.
 
The bridge of the Hunger shuddered to a halt, its deceleration signalling for the rest of the armada to follow suit. The stars came rushing up to great them, great elongated lines of light shrinking away to fine, pinprick points as the entirety to space closed in. At their various posts and work stations, Laborer slaves, and the Warriors who owned them, diligently went about their tasks. Keeping the flagship of the Collective in optimal condition after such an intensely prolonged hyper-jump was no easy task. The ship was massive and powerful to be sure, but beyond that, it was ancient and complex. Less than half of its functions were known to its crew, and to this day, there were still deck levels that were sealed off, with no way of knowing what might be inside. It was a labyrinth, a twisting, floating metropolis, capable of housing an entire army within its bulk.

Said army had not been idle either. The entire voyage had not been like the first night. Gone were the feasts, the brawls, the chaos. Every soldier toiled away to ensure they remained at their physical peak, ready to unleash themselves the moment their King gave the command.

Collaboration between the lead ships within the Collective's navy had been consistent. Between subspace communications and limited transporter usage, the Council had decided the next step, and stop, for their people. They would need raw materials, even more so than the abundance they already carried, to fuel the mass extinctions that the Cold God craved so much. So, with dismissive agreement from the crown, a small detachment of Laborer slaves, numbering roughly four hundred, were left behind with a guard retinue of one hundred and sixty five warriors, to mine out an asteroid belt (Nuonerth III) on the edge of the sector on which they had arrived. Scans had revealed that the belt of celestial flotsam were rich in ore, ore that would be useful in the war efforts to come.

To ensure the over-all security of the budding satellite colony, the whole of armada had come to a stop within the same star system, waiting impatiently for construction and initial surveying to be complete. Waiting, but not idle of course.

Chosen by the War God himself, three of the most powerful clans were called for. Clan Azat, marked by ceremonial piercings hanging from body, each one a trophy taken from a slain foe or a destroyed vessel, their adornment nothing more than scraps of jagged metal and gnawed on bones. Clan N'lullun, the largest of the clans, the back bone of their military, the truest and most disciplined of their Keltan brothers and sisters. And finally, Clan Rialoch, a small but aggressively savage clan who paint their skin black with dyed blood and ink, a clan who, unlike the rest of their species, preached espionage, subterfuge, and stealth. For lack of a better term, the assassins, shunned socially, but praised at victories and festivals.

Each of the summoned factions were issued the same orders. Select their fastest, deadliest ships from within their ranks. Fill it to the brim with Warriors armed to the teeth, and enough food to last them several months, and go. Go and find something, anything, for the Butcher to sink his teeth into. The Azat, aboard the Bleakmouth, headed galactic south towards a massive red star (Sutune). The ship, half super-carrier and half colonization frigate, housed approximately three thousand Keltan Warriors, and two hundred fighter craft.

The N'lullun sent fourth almost twice that number of soldiers, choosing to leave upon the Clan's capitol ship, the behemoth-sized star cruiser Fogbringer. They brought with them the strongest force their clan could muster, including the Grandwraith's son as their captain, a warmonger even among his own kind, Augis N'lullun, Blight of the Western Heavens. Truthfully, after the Shivering Hunger, the Fogbringer was easily one of the most powerful ships at the Collective's disposal, and it headed galactic west towards a different red giant (Drolezuno).

As always, the Rialoch kept their moves hidden, even from King and Council. It had always been their way. The entire clan, small as they were, had boarded their families one and only ship, the stealth-destroyer Artamentous, a spherical ship with no obvious means of propulsion, impossible black in color, brilliantly reflective, and capable of an eighty percent cloaking field. The most undetectable ship the Grey Horde possessed had last been seen heading towards a distant yellow star (Sheanov).

Watching their respective departures from the massive viewscreen within his throne room, Xeon Marli'car smiled a broad, slavering smile. Long range sensors aboard the Hunger had told them all they truly needed to know. They would encounter life, and soon, be it the armada itself, or the envoys they had just launched. Unlike their home sector, this region was active. Energetic. Alive. A prayer played at the corners of his thin, blue lips, slipping through crooked fangs and razor edged teeth;

"Soon you will have sacrifices without end, O' Cold God of long lost stars. They will be delivered to you daily, hundred, thousands, millions of screaming souls, this I swear to you upon my firstborn sons and daughters, lest you think my words in jest. You will drink long deep in their fear and feast lavishly on the remains of their civilizations. You are the end of all things, and we are the extension of your blade. Guide us now, I pray, and lead us to glory..."
 
"Captains log: It's been a month since we left port, and in that month we have explored a new system finding only one suitable planet for colonization." Metrice glances at her desk screen, looking at incoming notifications, continuing the report
"In said months time, we have also trained more cadets from the colonization frigates, amassing ten more reaching a total of 15 cadets, so far few cadets have been promoted for outstanding service, however, some do show promise," The captain pulls up crew files and medical records, studying them as she filled out her log. Looking carefully at each individual, she stopped and set aside 5 different cadets she felt were qualified. "It's not much but it'll have to do," she sighed as she closed her log and started for the Bridge.

Engineering, engine lab:

A young cadet stares into a microscope hoping to see something happen in his solution. "Come on damn it, Why wont you work?"
unaware that he was being watched from the doorway, Gom Phidius continued his tireless work until footsteps could be heard behind him, startled by the abrupt noise he looks up from the tiny lenses,

"Trying to blow a hole in the ship again aye Phidius?" Shrill like a crow the voice cawed

"oh no, it wasn't his fault, remember, he was just 'Upgrading' the propulsion systems," another voice Cooed, "Is there a reason you two are in my lab?" his voice stern and noticeably irritated, "Isn't there screw that needs tightening on some sub floor?" looking at the two headed figure in front of him now, Phys and Arum Polyceph an annoyance at best, a nagging irritation at worst, "Ooo, seems we've struck a nerve," Phys not letting the assault stop, "Come now, can't you see he's getting upset, now we should probably finish delivering this part to Kuro before she lectures us again." Arum calmly cooing back to the other head, their single body stood rather tall compared to Gom, they were about 6'2" by his best guess, he watched as the two separate heads bicker as they took their leave.

"Annoying bastards," irritated but not lost on the task at hand he continued to look at the samples, only 42% absorption rate, while the output was less 15%. Working with new mycelium was always a pain, but creating a new mycelium was almost impossible without the proper training, and even then it was a fools errand for a new cadet like himself, but this didn't stop Gom, he was determined to harness the radiation, and he wasn't about to let a couple explosions and multiple headed nuisances slow or stop him now.

Bridge:

"Captain on deck," Cubensis barked As soon as Metrice stepped into the doorway, "For the love of the All Spore, we have been over this Cubensis," flaring her nostrils before continuing "I know your just doing your job, but i think everyone knows im in The Bridge, when i sit in this fucking chair," "Sorry mam, not used to such a relaxed approach," The First Mate said meekly, almost afraid to speak his mind to the Captain.

"Well, anyways now that im here, anything to report?" Metrice asked inquisitively

"Nothing as of this morning Captain, the Ground Colony hasn't had any disruptions in the terraforming, they have been setting everything up slightly ahead of schedule," Cubensis reports while reading his chart, "More Tělonian ships will join the planet later in the month to help set up some stations."

At this news the Captain smiled, things were going smoothly for this mission thus far, but she still had a gut feeling something is awaiting them further into the cosmos. It gave her an unease that would not lift from the back of her head. "Are there any reports of possible planets in the next system that offer anything useful?"

"Next system should be a Yellow Star by the name Wagrippea, sensors haven't picked up any life signs from it, however that may be due to our distance from said system," Cubensis voice starting to loosen up, "However, our sensors are showing a small signal two systems away, not sure if its anything substantial, but its been consistent since we made it to the edge of this system." Metrice perked up after hearing this,

"Are they friendly channels? or do you assume this is some lure by some pirates to trap unsuspecting travelers?" her voice unnaturally stern and direct, startling a nearby cadet that was walking to their station.

"Um, its too faint to tell Mam, I mean Captain." walking over to the Radar screens Cubensis peers over the shoulder of the helmsman, who tries to continue working despite the interruption "It seems to be originating from the Yellow Star system of Byte,"

"We can send a scouting ship ahead as we travel to the next sector and see if its a danger or not" he suggested

"No, no, I think we should hold our ships port over the colony while we wait for the other ships to arrive. We need this colony to establish growth on the planet, not just starting out, they would be defenseless. Send the Daarar, she's one of our fastest scouts, she could make the trip in about a half months time, should be enough to evaluate and report back."

Send some pilots, an armed guard of five soldiers, and two engineers, if its something worth checking out, they will report back and await further instructions. If it's hostile they can get the hell out of there as fast as possible but not straight back here, they are to hide in the asteroid belt in the next sector, to which we will rendezvous with them once the other ships make port."

"Aye Aye Captain." Cubensis salutes and marches out of the bridge to relay the mission.

Metrice looked about the bridge carefully, noticing the intermixed crew of officers and cadets, I really hope this isn't some sort of trap. thinking to herself. "Helms-woman Psuly, inform the rest of the crew of our extended stay. We will use this time to work and upgrade our systems and assist the new Colony the best we can, also relay a message to the other frigate in our armada to prepare for next launch as well, I want them fully ready to colonize as soon as we find something suitable."

Shuttle Dock:

"Oh man, did you hear that? we are here for another bloody month." Cubensis overheard complaining from a small cadet to a much larger one as they were walking past, only to get quiet as they noticed him approaching, "SIR." Both saluted in unison

"At ease cadets, have either of you seen the Daarar crew? I need to speak with them,"

"U-um, I believe I saw them down by the range on the other side of the dock," reported the larger of the cadets "Trigger happy junkies if you ask me," whispered the smaller one,

"I didn't ask you for your opinion on the matter, Cadet..." his voice harsh and stern

"C-Cadet Cybe, Psilo Cybe, Sir." startled and stuttering Psilo jolted to attention

"Careful with that "Free Talk" Cadet, Especially around an Officer." looking down at the small Tělo as he slightly quivers at the towering First Mate. Cubensis pauses as he begins to take notice of the two cadets,
"You two are engineers correct?" Cubensis now switching tones as he notices their uniform coloration's

"Yes sir, Engineering Cadet Psilo Cybe," "Yes sir, Engineering Cadet Calbo Vista." both instinctually saluting

"Good, you Two are to report to Officer Cohaerens, looks like your going on The mission."

His smile stretching wide across his grayish face, after handing them the report and instructing them to gather the Daarar crew he took his leave.
 
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Byte System

With the plans for expansion done, Khebb has now set in motion the plans to begin making new worlds and expanding from their home planet. However they had come into a bit of a snag. Millennia of living in the toxic air of their Treilo had made the Vurax population unable to survive without that same air. With this in mind Khebb selected 5 of his finest minds with two tasks. The first task was given to Forge Masters Gruil and Helth, . The task was a simple one, take whatever Drones and forces they could and use them to set up mining outposts on Byte Prime and II. The second task was given to Forge Master Devth, Jeldd and Khebb's own apprentice Thenn. This task will be more difficult, but change the fate of the Vurax Council in its entirety as they were assigned to Byte III, Byte IV and Byte V to research ways to replicate the atmosphere found on Treilo. With their tasks set, the Frigates taking the Forge Masters to their respective planets were prepped and FTLed to their task.

Thenn was on his way to Byte V after a few days on his ship, Thenn's ship caught a strange vessel of unknown origin or design appear in the same space as he several seconds afterwards. Thenn didn't know what to make of the ship, but followed protocol. According to protocol, in the event of an unknown vessel, he must delay his mission to keep Vurax space clear of any threats through diplomatic means then military means if need by. The Vurax assumed these aliens wouldn't know how to speak his own language and that he wouldn't be able to send a message directly. Instead he hailed the vessel with simple pinging to see if they will respond.

Guardian System

The Manifest was swallowed by a ship a dozen times its own size. With it's master dead, the ship relied only on its AI and protocol to function and protocol dictated that in an event of the death of its master it must return immediately to Treilo for evaluation. However it was not able to move, as its engines were just now warming up. However protocol prevents it from leaving its prison as there are invaders inside it. The invaders prevented it from taking off as they might damage the vessel as it travels back to the homeworld, or worst transmit the position of the Vurax homeworld to hostile beings. The near dead ship immediately powers its generators before sealing itself shut, trapping whatever invaders inside. The Ship began to vent in the toxic gas the Vurax breath using its reserve tanks in an attempt to kill the intruders.
 
Emperor Rhylihan sat upon his throne in paused thought after hearing all of Qezualia's report on her visit to Jewel of the sky, the United Forla Tribes, her thoughts on Claws of gold and the race over all. Her bait to get them aboard her vessel, to watch and silently to screen them as well to observe their power to change had all in the inner chamber quelled to a silence. Details on Claws of Gold reaction to the ship picked apart frame by frame from internal senors as body language experts whisper thoughts and ideas only to be reminded it was an alien and how he reacts could be different that then melts into a fight over basic reaction motions surely all life must show.

Rhylihan sits up speaking out "He...it? " petting his chin unsure " reacted clearly to the welded scars of the Zalzye and surely had some reflection on them. They call themselves The United Forla Tribes, we can guess violence is in their past but maybe now they observe a peace between each other...no matter, the voice a desire in us and i feel it honest--Listen here Sons and Daughters of Aysile, we must make them drunk on us. Whatever end the standing government may hold for us is surely compounded endlessly for the general population--Etheealia!"

She stands with a stead fast panic pushing her face through the smoke of her pipe "My lord? " The many heads hidden in the deep rooms of the inner chamber turn to wax their gaze upon her.

"You shall Come with me and bring your scets Carrier, you will also be given a copy of the recording of Claws of Golds visit and before we meet i need you to have ready a HF blade that would fit seamlessly in his hand, ill need you to refit some of the converted construction craft back to their combat class and dressed with their Heavy HF weapons. bring to bare many designs, they have seen the blade but maybe fancy something more along an ax or pole arm. We shall have them silently shown in hopes this Strong-Shifter may find a design that sparks is interest. If all goes well operations will begin the second we are done speaking and you will be in charge of the Zosturn system--you must gather all information you can about them so we can create a market."

He stands now and pounds the arm rest of his stone throne "What SAY the Order?" The floor burst outwith sounds of approval but not as loud as it could be.

"Naysayers?" Bellows out Rhylihan, the room falls to a silence as a few shuffle forward.

A man skinny and scale-frayed with a devilish slash across his lower cheek spoke "Must we have a face to face meeting with them? they...these ....aliens, their flesh and breathe as a poison to us. Should we not wait till we have some defense?"

The room voices rapt out along as another, a female with a slight belly spoke out "They desire our paint..such labor goes into its creation..must we trade it away for not but metals--not gold nor silver?"

Rhylihan sits back down upon his throne "If we pause now, this history making event of meeting an alien race What will our children think? to shiver in the unknown? we to would risk insulting them. The signal that rewarded us with FTL technology is thought to be galactic wide and These Forlans met us first, they have yet to be saturated with the goods of others, with the technology of others and thus it is us gain the boon of first strike. We must be open and welcoming, understanding and willing. we must make our people close while sad truth of our unpleasant reality shadows Aysile. "

Turning somewhat to the female who spoke "Till i am told else wise there is no galactic market to which we may buy a planet from, till we have a safe and guarded home, gaining the means to build freely with our own hands...is foremost."

"No others?"

the room ran silent before he stood "I Rhylihan Merichqale, Command you--Etheaalia Balabuil. Be the hand that offers and takes, learn all you can from our would be allies and use all you have to craft before them the desire to imbibe all we have to offer."

"Yes! my lord! " She bows gently before snapping around to allow a large smile run along her maw, even snapping it mockingly at some of her rivals as she struts by.

Captain Jheea who was in the middle of her formal investigation of Zastrurn suddenly fell under attack from alerts, a massive FTL waveform breaking from the far end of the system. It was a massive standing fleet and royal guard Spearheading its signal to Jheea who found herself now in visual communication with many high ranking personal, Hacking on her drink she pops to attention.

"AT EASE Captain, you are being sent with a mission UPDATE *shuffles off screen a physical hand gesture* You are to continue your active probing into the planets of Zastrurn! however You may be called upon to ask some questions from both the Emperor himself and AND Alien entity, So make sure to compile all information you have. AND Captain"

Jheea blinks just once as the Admiral points to his chest, she looks down to spot a stain from her drink. "Look sharp! That is all"

Jheea eases up looking to her commander with a slight blank look "...aliens?"

The Zastrurn System now sat with a massive standing fleet slowly making its way to Zastrurn III with only the Long Range Missile Battery staying on edge of the system. In orbit they waited, FTL carrier, the massive Balabuil shipyard, Zone control dreadnought and one thousand shield craft mixed with the royal and honor guard, Both dressed neatly looking sharp and clean keeping a perfect claw formation. This fleet would be joined by Qezualia who would sail in with the other forla. Each ship having its own semi unique signal hinting to their specialized design but by far most the humble Missile battery that lingered far on the other side of the system gave out an imposing signature, spite being powered down whatever its load out was could in no way be hidden. Getting things ready they hustled to get all done and ensure a smooth exchange.

Captain Veyt within the Gulfleyturn system has composes samples of a newly found resource Dark matter and living metal, sent post haste to the labs while requesting more ships to aid them. only to be visited by this new alien power the forlans, the Ship would find each planet being probed with vessels both on surface and satellites in orbit. They would exchange a weary greeting while keeping track of their movements spite being outnumbered.

Captain Yui'hurt was doing much of the same as Veyt save he flagged but in a different nature, while he found Palithou Gas and Delee Spice any actions to go deeper into the system would be stopped by the threat of a unknown craft of extreme size and power, he had lost 14 ships craft in fleeing to the shadow of Sheanov V and requested now for more vessels to better scan the planet. for now only physical observation would do as they seem to react to anything more than that, they sat waiting only to suddenly have forlan craft enter, not wanting to alert the fleet orbiting around Sheanov IV kept silent and hidden in the EMF of the planet as well as its shadow. Once more FTL warning only to find it open and close with nothing but a odd blurr.

Yui'hurt judged it must be some sort of stealth craft but couldn't do much about it save for ping it with a board scan as it entered the system. The fleet on stand by already was stood on edge as it hides--ever watching.
 
The holy protector stood near the wreckage of the alien ship that had been brought aboard the Lookout. It had all gone so well at first, but then out of nowhere, something, assumed to be the AI, attacked the military and research team inside the ship. Damage could also be seen inside the hanger where giant crystals are stuck in the ceiling and defensive turrets. Holes were also present when the ship activated its main armament. This is when it was decided to destroy the ship. Another research team was dispatched to investigate the wreckage while an autopsy was conducted on the assumed captain of the ship. The holy protector watched his men work, with admiral Faith by his side. They were trying to find out as much as they could about the species that did this, and if they were inherently hostile, or if this was just a accident.

"My lord, I insist that we be very wary of any new ships, we do not want a repeat of this, and we do not know what the other species are even like. We cannot judge their intentions based on our current findings." Admiral Faith told his superior once more. He was very adamant about this decision, but the Holy Protector wanted none of it. He could not make a decision about how to act to foreign people until he actually saw one alive. As far as he knew this was just the act of an AI, which could of easily mistaken its captains death as the fault of his people, and thus retaliated. He would not have his foreign policy be hostile until he knew exactly what he was dealing with. The Holy Protector said nothing to Faith, for Faith already knew his answer. So instead they just watched the investigation of the wreckage continue on.

---------------

With their orders finished, the other ships in the navy sent out to conduct exploration mission were sent out once again to different systems. The Shepard was sent to repeat its mission in the Snenulea system. The Preserver would be sent to the Gravocarro system. The Shield would stay in the Fugraliv and begin construction of mining outposts on every planet and asteroid field except prime, where instead a colony would be established. The ships were also given orders to be on the lookout for any possible alien ships similar to the one on the lookout. And so active detection measures would be turned on as they worked.
In the Guardian system, the Lookout would send out shuttles to construct mining outposts on every planet except prime, where instead a research outpost would be set up to study the absolutely monstrous lifeforms that grow on the planet. It would also be ordered to construct an orbital hydrogen extractor in the orbit of Guardian VI, to help fuel the massive engines of the ships in the fleet.
 
A Keltan female, almost as large as any of the males aboard her vessel sunk her talons into the cushioned arm rests of her captain's chair. This was an odd, aggravating, nigh intolerable indication that they had been detected as soon as they'd entered the system. This was not something that twenty-second Grandwraith of the Rialoch clan could understand, nor tolerate.With a shrieking bark. she ordered the helmsmen to set their engines to their fastest non-FTL speed and to take them out from the zone's border. Their presence was known now, meaning that their task just became that much harder. That much more...thrilling.

"Warrior Grujup, take use deeper into the system. I want to see how deep this infestation festers before I decide if we play the role of assassins or scouts." Silently, the addressed soldier, as well as the rest of the crew, set about their tasks. The shield that rendered the Keltan vessel all but undetectable rapidly depleted their energy reserves, so it would be necessary to find cover behind a moon or a large asteroid in order to recharge at some point. It would be well to be as far away from the source of whatever had pinged them, be it a cosmic hobo, smuggler, civilian transport, or military, it didn't matter. The Rialoch operated by a "never seen, never heard" modus operandi, and nothing would be gained from letting the potential enemy learn whatever they could from a possible systems scan. "Intercept the return transmission of whatever just hailed us and cut power from life support by fifteen percent across the ship. Use the extra energy to keep our cloak up as long as possible, and make for the innermost planet in the area. We'll explore from the inside out once we establish a fortress in the core. And then...we can find out whatever we shall about our neighbors."

The way the female purred the last word sent shivers of excitement up the spines of the males around her. They knew their captain, their clan leader. If Avyka Rialoch had any sort of intentions in mind, they were far from hospitable...

---

Meanwhile, a star system away, the captain of the Fogbringer, Augis N'lullun, Blight of the Western Heavens, Scourge of Stars, sat cross legged in his own command throne. He wore the same armor he'd worn for the past two hundred galactic cycles, battle-scarred and ravaged beyond any sort of functionality. He wore scraps of Zorium alloy banded together with leather and cord into a patchwork collection of dented metal plates and jagged slaggen spikes, all of which adorned his massive death-grey form like a rustling, clanking, vicious second layer of skin. Between this, his lack of ceremonial braids, and the massive scar running from forehead to navel, it was hard to mistake the future Grandwraith of the N'lullun faction for any other Keltan. Bored, irritated, the prodigal Warrior war hero had hoped to find something, anything, to test the edge of his new command ship against.

A frigate. A fledgling galactic empire. A star draining Proton Wyrm. ANYTHING!

But no. Nothing had stepped forward to satiate his blood lust. Nothing had been found that could be considered a worthy sacrifice to Xeon or the Cold God. Already having passed by and orbitally scanned four planets, without so much as a sign of sentient life or challenging foe. This was nothing like what Augis had expected. The crew was on edge as well, and it was already decided that they would stop on the next planet in the system, regardless of what they might find. They would've stopped on the last, (Drolezuno III) if it had not been for the unstable tectonic activity the ship's gravitational sensors had detected on its surface. Instead, the were planning to stop on a slightly larger, but similar empty to the point of desolate world deeper in the system, closer to the giant red sun at its center. At the very least, the crew could get off the ship and stretch their legs...

---

The Azat had overshot their light jump, by several million kilometers, coming to a stop far beyond the borders of the Sutune system. Despite their relatively short travel time, the soldiers aboard the Fogbringer colonization carrier were ravenous. Fights were breaking out across vessel, and more and more Warriors were caught dishonorably stealing their clan mate's body trophies, a crime punishable within the Azat by airlock ejection. Something had to be done, and done quick. It was decided that the starving crew would explore each planet around the red stair, gathering as much food as they could, both animals for the Keltans and flora for their slave Laborers. But first, they would need to establish an outpost, and like all Keltans, when it came to deciding on a temporary home, one factor trumped all others.

Ice.

And only one planet in the system, however small it was, would serve the purposes they needed. Sutune VII would become the staging grounds and military instillation of the Atax clan, representing their Butcher King, and the Collective as a whole.

---

The mining colony on the Nuonerth III asteroid belt was well under way, having just begun preliminary operations early that week. The floating balls of rock and metal and cosmic ice had proven far richer than initial scans could've possibly hinted at, and the Council of Wraiths already had warring petition from Clan after Clan after Clan over who would get the first shipments of Zorium. It was a tiresome debacle, but one that the ruling oligarchy had expected to crop up sooner or later. Keltans, as a race, were greedy, and concerned for their own kin more than their race as a whole. So debates had turned to arguments. Arguments had led to brawls. Brawls had quickly spiraled into riots that pit entire families against others.

But this was all par for the course. Eventually, the family who shed the most blood and took the right hostages from rival clans would be declared rightfully entitled to the bulk of the precious, armor shaping ore they'd found an abundance of in this dinky little corner of space. Until then, Warriors and slaves mauled and ripped and gouged at each other by 'night', while working the debris ridden belt by 'day'. None of which concerned their sovereign liege. Xeon was far too preoccupied. In a month's time, he'd been born two more true-blood heirs, one male and one female, and six more bastards, all of which he claimed, but never legitimized.

The birth of new children to the royal line always ended in violence. Mothers constantly tried to have their children kill off their siblings, for higher placements on the ladder of inheritance. At best, these spawnlings would challenge one another to feeble, untrained, but primal confrontations, honorable and true. At worst, the matriarchs vying for power would send their slaves, or more terrible yet, their own offspring, the smother newborns in their cribs or drown infants in their bath-blood. Even these things did not concern the monarch of the Collective. This had been standard conduct of his ruling house for his entire reign. Let the hens and their chicks squabble, it made no difference. The only time any of these children would receive the legacy they and their mother's so craved would be on the morning after the King's death. And Xeon had lived a very long time, and the monstrosity in fair form had no intention of passing on to the beyond any time soon. He very well intended to outlive the stars themselves, and ride beside the Cold God when He was free of his eons long imprisonment.

While the Hunger was stationary outside the 'belt, the Marli'car monarch took this opportunity to study the ancient holy text, the only form of a written word their people possessed. The only thing important enough, the only thing vital enough, more than family, or honor, or glory, or war, that it had to be recorded, in full. He was consulting the star maps of the Apostles, searching for some hint on where to go, where the Progenitor might've hid mighty artifacts, possible locations of long forgotten temples dedicated to the Slayer of Warmth. Their god's reach had once been mighty, and long...and it was past time for the galaxy to remember the face of their deity...
 
Mykol: Capital
The Populace was busy today, but not much busier than the usual hustle and bustle of the city. The Tělonian government under the new ruling structure was working smoothly, Tirelessly but smoothly none the less. Clavaria Pyxidata worked endlessly to insure things for her people were as comfortable as possible.
Reports from mining operations and distant colonies that were developing well, showed signs of fantastic Growth, the newest colony on the planet Woproyzuno VI, shows the greatest signs of Growth, currently under the title Murraii seems to be doubling in size in these few months.
Things were seemingly going well, with new advancements coming through the M-Network for larger and stronger ships, newer technology allowing for more efficient use of organic materials.
Clavaria looked at her desk with numerous pages floating across its screen, signing in formal documents one after another.
Reports from the TSS Narthuun were promising, having made contact with an alien race calling themselves Vurax, and establishing trade routes with them. This news both pleased and concerned her, its only been a couple of months and they have already met another sentient race, how many more would they find? Would they be as negotiable or would the next seek to harm them? These were the things that plagued her mind as she could only look up to the pink sky and wonder, for her work was down here on the ground on HomeWorld.
-
Things in the city were indeed busy, nothing too out of place on the surface, below however was a different case. With most of the work needing to be done for the city was above ground mostly it left the underground drainage tunnels pretty clear and empty. Except for today, as a large group of Telo march under one of the ship yards, a band of Mercenaries 50 strong, hired for a singular purpose.
-
Alarms Blare as they take over the air waves, as one of the ship yards to the south explodes. "What now?" Clavaria shouts lifting from her seat to look out her window, smoke rising from the ship yard. One of her trusted Cluvar enters her office abruptly "Mam, reports coming in say a small militarized group has attacked one of our ship yards, we have sent soldiers to apprehend them or kill them if needed," his voice precise and stern, "Any word on who they are? previous regime supporters?" Clavaria still looking out her window "No reports have been made as of yet," his bracer screen lights up and beeps, looking at it he continues "Still no reports on who the group was, however, new reports say one of the new ships was taken in the northern ports during the confusion in the south,"

"What? Damn it, which one?"

"It appears the TSS Ugos, she was one of our newer exploration vessels." The Cluvar swiping his hand over his screen to hers, pulling up a picture of the ship, Clavaria walks back over to her desk to study the ship. The ship itself resembled that of the cephalopod orthoceras with longer tendrils hanging from the back. "Gather your soldiers and tighten up security around all ship yards, I do not want any repeats of this event. Also put a System wide alert for that ship, letting all Tělo know it isn't friendly," her tone aggravated and gritted
"YES MAM," with that he solutes and takes his leave

TSS Narthuun:
Captain Metrice Ramaria walks through the ships halls with her FM Mantana Cubensis towards the engineering bay, being sent reports on possible new engine upgrades that would prove more than useful. Upon entering the engineering bay they are greeted by the Head Engineering Officer Kuro Helvella, "Welcome to engineering Cap, let me just go get the Cadet that you are here to see," Kuro slithered off on his many tendril like legs
"We are here for a Cadet? You had informed me this was important to the ship Cubensis." Metrice showing slight aggravation "Rest assured Captain, this Cadet is legitimate, and what I said still holds true,"
Kuro returns with a small Telo following him "This is the Cadet I have been sending you reports about FM Cubensis, Gom Phidius, about the Brightest light I have down here," Kuro begins to move away to his offices "You're not staying?" Metrice's aggravation showing slightly more
"Oh my no, everything you need to know Gom will help with, after all its all his work," with that Kuro waves and leaves, Metrice looks down at the small Telo in front of her "And what is it that you have been working on Cadet
"u-um, I have created a new mycelium that can absorb solar radiation and convert it energy, with a 10 times higher output than any other systems known to us," he sniffles slightly before continuing, "If I can harness it properly I could start work on a Continuous Fusion drive,"
Metrice was taken back by the things spoken to her, this was fantastic news, their Ion drives speed with this new tech would increase tenfold, but not only that a possible Fusion Reactor?
"How would that be possible?" her intrigue peaking
"If I could Harness the Electromagnetic Radiation from the suns we pass and orbit, I would use the electromagnetism itself to contain the fusion in the reactor, it'll take some time but I believe it to be possible." Gom said looking up at the Captain "I have already upgraded current systems, so our ship should be much faster now, we could jump systems quicker if we hit our FTL drives,"

Metrice nodded, already pleased by the reports, "Great work Engineering Officer Gom Phidius, hope to see big things from you," with that she smiled and departed
 
It was an important moment in the history of the Vurax Council. The Forge Apprentice Thebb had sent a report of delay, which disappointed Head Forge Master Khebb, but was surprised when he received another report that stated he had encountered an alien race on the outskirts of the Byte system. Sharing the news with his own personal council, the debates of what to do next last many heated hours. The aliens wished for trade between the two races, but the Vurax had split into three factions. The first wished to open trade with the alien race. Another wanted nothing to do with the aliens and wished only to keep themselves isolated, while the third faction wished to go on the offensive and attack before the aliens decides to strike first. Khebb knew to be cautious of this new discovery, but had much of his plate at the moment, since the disappearance of the Manifest. The ship has yet to report in, and the Council feared the worst, primarily that they had revealed themselves to a hostile alien force. After four days of debating Khebb finally came to a decision. The Vurax are to send three Frigates, Led by Forge Master Drecs, to where the Manifest were to investigate the disappearance of the ship, while at the same time preparing a diplomat for the return of the alien race.
 
--System: Sheanov, Planet Sheanov V--
The dull red gloom of lights bathed the forward helm perverted only by the flicker of tactical screens, The crew at high alert, eyes licking their overlays, ears thralled with the radio haze of space. Yui'hurts' eyes gleam in the artificial glow of such lights half hidden to the folded fingers that roll along their knuckles in front of him, It has been a full month if not longer playing games with this unknown ship. Spectral analysis, Star light observation, Radar and other movement detection technologies ripple out from his craft and others in his small fleet, One of the crew bend their heads to Captain Yui'hurt.

"Anomalous reading is vectors 1036, 763, -309" The crew member drones out on dead tones.

Yui'hurt from under his hands that fold under his nose a smile grew "Must BE our Sneaky friends...lurking deeper in the system...seems they faded out of sight behind something..." Humming as he thought pouring over what an who it could be, These...Forlans had entered the system to, was there a connection between them? he had to do something to test his thoughts.

Low but commanding he spoke " Helms men take us just beyond the edge of the planet as to allow forward cannon battery to fire un-perverted by the planets atmosphere, contact the weapon and engineer bay and tell them to modify a probe to be fitted into a flak shell casing and fire it to burst just beyond the object the anomaly. When the shell breaks have the probe take orbit while filling communication channels with standard greetings, Do not have it scan."

Yui'hurt sits back in his chair, he was up to something but what could it be? Crew reports all ready and he gives the command to fire, the altered shell beams across the void, it was a blind gamble. Just shy of 72 hours for the shell to reach its target point, How will they react Yui'hurts thinks brooding in his chair.

"Give a forward greeting to the Forlans, warn them about the planet and advise them to come to us. When they get closer start slow, low energy scans of their energy readings...lets see if they are the same..."

--Eye of K'duine, New Qwyun--

The Emperor gone, off to speak with the Forlans the Ship goes on constructing its massive system of FTL drives for the New Qwyun, formal Research upon Dark Matter, Living metal, Palithou Gas, Delee spice, The atmospheric aphrodisiac of Gufleyturn II and lastly singing crystals. Once another month had gone by they would choose a single element to pour all research into in hopes of speeding it up.

The fleet itself standing about 40% repaired and repainted.

Weapons research into Anti-Forlan hardware/software begun, compiling the loose information gained from interactions into a database.

--System:Zostrurn, Planet:Zostrurn III--

Strong-Shifter Leaves his Ship, The tunnel of honor guard corvettes and Frigate silently stacked in complex cascading wave that greeted him, From his craft the white light of Zostrurn dims behind the craft glistening over smooth hulls dented with their armor plating. Turrets length cut star like spiting giving the illusion of Crepuscular rays slowly ushering him into the bright glow of The Balabuil Shipyard. He could view the visible war wounds, odd changes in interior painting mixed with grungy alloy plates, His craft lands on a highest level. Stepping out to have his eyes treated to a interior of expertly worked masonry, floors, walls and ceiling showing earthy stone work with simplistically complex designs on them. As all Aysilian craft it was warmer than most but changed to try to make Strong-shifter feel more at home, spite that task being a some what hopeless one.

Large and armored persons with beautiful colorful designs on them haunt the ends of the room as Wehl Smoothly enters with a brisk sway. Behind her Qezualia who's sharp stride cuts the air with a near audible whoosh, Two formal persons in black who walk to greet Strong-Shifters party while Rhylihan Merichqale enters with Etheaalia Balabuil stalking his side with a slightly over sexed strut. Etheelia stands counter to Qezualia who bends her brow in disapproval as Etheelia subtly points her pipe at Qezualia with a faint smirk.

"Emperor Rhylihan of the Aysilian Empire!" bellows the honor guard from the left as the one from the right takes an inhale "Strong-Shifter Claw of Ebony!"

Rhylihan was a Five feet and ten inches tall clad with loose and smartly kept purple/red robes with a thin stone gold wrought crown with a stone band woven along, placed over a hood that splits into four tails, two in front, shorter as the two in the back went almost to the ground. Large firm grin greets Strong-Shifter whilst hands reach out and away almost as if to hug only to close his arms to clap his hands.

"To Think I would live to see sure aliens from another star system, madness. hah-hah, I am most pleased to know the vastness of space is both filled and friendly" Bending his body with a turn towards Qezualia "I have been told much of your people Strong-shifter, I can only hope you find some muse in us." placing his hand to his chest.

Strong-Shifter Shuffled about in some energy filled standing dance, This large man standing at two and half meter's tall. Coated in maroon scales with four large yellow, stilted eyes. Scorpion like tail that hovers behind his head, near his shoulders bounced about as he moved. Dark angelic like wings tucked into each other on his back feather out as his weight shifts in his manic movement only to burst into their full reach has he reached out to Rhylihan making every one in the room flinch.

"Yes yes, this is all so new i can only hope we can find a meeting of the minds, ALSO Did you know that, compared to other reptiles we've encountered, the Aysilian are the ones most capable of adapting to drastic changes in temperature? Truly fascinating." He says while enthusiastically shaking Rhylihan up and down.

Rhylihan, being shook by this madman could only laugh "Hah-Hah Well Happy to meet your standard of interest ?!" Rhylihan blinks before popping his brow up "How have you...come across this information"

An awkward pause passes them by, Strong Shifter sets Rhylihan down who then fixes his clothing.

"Right then!" Changing the topic Rhylihan turns silently hinting for Strong shifter to follow him "We have for you samples of the items you listed with Qezualia here for your testing, This shipyard itself is one of four that lead in our production. This one, However, is the foremost with personalize contracts and his owned by Etheaalia Balabuil."

Etheaalia Bows deeply and speaks with a soft but purposeful voice "Welcome Strong-Shifter Claw Of Ebony, I hope you find my Dear Ship to your liking." Etheaalia spite her personality in some places was very beautiful by Vissaige and Aysilian standards and oh does she know it, Scales like a polish mirror with complex patterns donned along their length mixed with an outfit to show. Her image was open but in respect minding what kind of meeting this was. Soft and loud earthy colors painted her clothing. Eyes sharp and gleam reflecting the sly mind that housed them.

"In hope all goes well here, she will be the head of negations and work with your people. For now see what we have for you" Rhylihan states as he strode over to a massive window that right then came alive with light, the window rewarded vision into a massive drydock. As Strong-Shifter came over he would view the start some unknown deconstruction. From the ceiling, from the floor they came as if spidery fingers from some waking nightmare long claws that roll along their joints as a large frigate enters the bay. A skull like head spilling out guts of wires beam down a near blinding flash of light while those spidery fingers crawl along the skin of the frigate. In this tangle mess of skeletal arms from every face of the room came another unknown tool, it looks like some fleshy pulsing eye with a needle punctured into it rudely projecting out. Arms latch to the hull as the odd eyes start to spin side to side only to then once more fill the room with eye burning light even when dulled to the glass that protected them.

The hull aglow with streaks of hellish white lines as its hull is pulled apart, spider arms reach in pulling away more smoothly cut chunks of the vessel out only to then to pull out an old withered looking chunk of hardware, a coil of some sort. out of the black from under the dry dock a new part looking like the coil that was removed is worked to the hole made and replaced. the hull puzzled back into shape as once more the fleshy eye blistered with powerful light. a small last scan is taken as the ship starts up, testing all its systems before pulling out.

The wired gut skull turned to the mirror and seemed to say hello before another craft enters the bay.

"As you can see, when it comes to reusing and updating...we can do so post haste granted we have all the elements needed. The AI skull is also what i would show you, it handles all this alone, grant we need one AI for each bay due to the complex nature of ships..."

Rhylihan Turns to a table that was know placed behind them, upon it different designs of HF bladed weapons, Swords, spears, some massive for mech warfare and others so massive they seemed to be designed for ships .

"our Blades are designed to peel apart armor, they take a few seconds to charge up once drawn but once they are ready.." he turns to Strong shifter "Why death would be the only thing to give you pause...hahah...As you can see we do have a few models for Fighters as well as hall breaching....a Buzz droid or Ribbon mech inside your ship, cutting it all apart...it is" looking away with a frown "an unpleasant encounter"

"Come, we can talk trade later, that is Etheaalias' realm and I shan't steal it from her"
Off to the side Etheaalia gives a questionable shiver as Qezualia subtly shakes her head.

"Let us become friends" Sitting down at a table over looking Zastrurn, its heavenly bodies jeweled in the black of space as the fleet of either side whimsically orbit around the shipyard. Rhylihan waiting for Strong-shifter baiting him with a small data pad aloof upon the table with information about animal life, plant life and old history among other things in hopes he to would share with him.
 
A few months had passed for the United Forla Tribes and in that time much had been accomplished. As their fleets had spread throughout gamma sector they had discovered a large variety of resources throughout the sector, such as dark matter, living metal, thund ore, evol gas, dextio ore, zalire crystals, luxio dust, dramatic crystals and a variety of environmental effects.

While these discoveries were excitedly documented and had samples taken, five different ones outshone the others. The first was the discovery of an alien outpost upon the asteroid belt of Nuonerth III. No action had been taken as of yet once the probes first discovered the outpost, as none of the current commanding soldiers or scientists had clearance to approach an alien species.

The second was the discovery of the large garden planet guarded by a ship that outshone even the largest of the Despair class heavy carriers. Despite multiple attempts at scanning, very little details could be gathered about the ship. The only thing known is that it would not allow any foreign object near the planet it was guarding, as an unfortunate probe found out.

Third there was the activity within the Drolezuno and Sheanov systems. The moment the Forla had appeared within the Sheanov system they had received a hail and a greeting from what was now recognised across all ships to be an Aysilian signal.

After running the appropriate checks, the signal was accepted and the Forlan were informed of the strange readings nearby the planet, warning them to approach the Aysilian naval vessels. Returning a ping that confirmed that they would do so, the Forla waited for their science shops to return to the fleet before moving out towards the Aysilian vessels.

The activity at Drolezuno was far simpler. Once the Forla had arrived at the system, mere minutes later scanners were picking up emissions commonly associated with FTL travel upon the opposite side of the system. While normally the Forlan would have investigated, the commanding officer Teeth of Silver was of a more cautious variety, ordering that emissions be lowered to a minimum and to keep as much a planetary body between them and where the emissions had come from until the probes could identify whether or not it was Aysilian.

It was not.

A ship the size that all but Teeth of Silver had not seen was in the same system as them, and they didn't even need scans to tell that it was armed to the teeth. Almost bristling with guns, the Teeth of Silver declared that the ship he known as potentially hostile and to avoid confrontation. While it slowed down the research dramatically, it also kept them relatively well hidden from the alien vessel.

The final, and most exciting, discovery was something that practically had all Forla involved frothing at the mouth. The desert planet of Sutune VI or, more accurately, the inhabitants. After a cursory scan over the rest of the system showed that it held nothing of value (and even if it did they doubted they would leave), the Forlan fleet sent there set up shop upon the desert planet as messengers were sent back to the Jewel, where they would petition for a strong military/research outpost be placed upon the system. The potential for the military if they could get their hands on just one of the walking Titans...

In their excitement, the Forlan failed to notice the other vessels that inhabited the system.

Zostrurn III

Strong shifter Claws of Ebony was pretty happy. These Aysilians were just... so fascinating! Already research and experiments were being conducted upon the Forla that had taken the full form of the new species and the results had been rather interesting. A magnificently strong resistance to temperature changes for a cold blooded species, plus their eyesight had some sort of subconscious thermal tracker. Oh the potential!

It also helped that they seemed about as advanced in AI and manufacturing as the Forla were in the biological sciences. To be completely truthful he was rather impressed with the level of technology he was witnessing. While his people were certainly no technological slouches, not only had the gone a different direction but it was also generally acknowledged that the Forla value the biological over the mechanical. He had already been briefed by his chief engineers upon the potential combinations of the weapons that had been displayed before him with their own plasma technology and, while he wasn't as big a fan of technology as he was biology, he couldn't wait to see what could come of this trade deal!

Of course, there was still the more... subtle side of dealing with the Aysilian's to worry about. While he felt rather guilty about deceiving his new friends, for that is what they were as he rather liked them, he knew not to trust them implicitly. They were another sentient race after all and most likely held a far greater capacity for deceit than most of his people did.

While nothing drastic occurred, the Strong Shifter had still taken this opportunity to have a few of his men bug the local communication and information network in order to absorb a special much information as possible. A few well placed impersonators skilled at the art of blending in (Plus knowledge of how the average Aysilian works helped) shall be added to the crew in order to keep watch over the bugs. Despite the guilt, he knew it was necessary. He needed to know if, should push come to shove, he could protect his people.

Noting that Claws of Gold (an old friend and advisor) was off doing his job of conversing with the other Admirals present, using what he knew of Qezualia as an in, the Strong shifter quickly shifted his attention to the datapad in Rhylihan's grasp, mind practically salivating at the thought of what he could learn.

Sitting down he held out his hand, with claws retracted of course, for the pad. After Rhylihan passes it to him and a cursory overview of the subject said detailed, Claws of Ebony sets the pad aside, extended his teeth and opened his mouth to speak. "Yes, lets. I'm sure we have much to benefit from each other. First of all, I assume you've also been told about the idea our engineers have for this planet?"
 
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