Chronicles of The Omniverse Archived The Onyx Galaxy

The moment the messages came through, the lead pilot of the Delphinium complied with the commands, disengaging the main engines of the diplomatic vessel. Given that the vessel in question was designed for intra-system transit in the depths of Aschen space, there were no weapons on board, as the crew enjoyed the security provided by the Imperial Fleet.

Coming to a stop, the captain of the vessel replied to the hail.

"This is Captain Balthazar of the Imperial Diplomatic vessel Delphinium, I have an urgent diplomatic envoy from the Quorum to deliver to those in command, in accordance with Imperial Law. In the spirit of cooperation we have complied with your orders disengaged our engines, and this vessel is unarmed. Be advised we have government and civilian personnel on board." The Captain replied, while the Coordinator nodded. "It is very likely we will be taken prisoner, tortured for information, and executed as an example. The Dominion are savages, they will give us no quarter." He said, staring out the small window of the ship at the approaching Dominion vessels.

"I'm not entirely sure why the Quorum sent us, or why Prince chose you, Minister." He said, looking around to the various security officers seated in the passenger cabin, finally setting his gaze on Minister Chaska.

The Security chief stepped into the main cabin as well, carrying a small silver briefcase. "The IIA has requested that you be fitted with these devices." He said, opening the case. "They're psionic inhibitors, and will prevent any telepaths from probing your minds. If they're tampered with they will cause immediate brain death."

He moved to hand one to the Minister, and she affixed it behind her ear, a slight twinge of pain followed as the device interfaced with her brain.

The security officers followed suit, as Chaska huffed.

"They'll probably take us hostage and hope they can leverage us to prevent the missile strike, it's scenarios like that, that we've adopted our hardline 'no negotiation' policy, I'm almost positive Prince sent me here to die." She said.

The Pilots of the Raptor Talon had a different idea, keying up the Delphinium, the lead officer sent a hail.

"Delphinium this is Talon One, this is where we get off, good luck out there."

The Raptor Talons vanished a split second later, jumping away and leaving the Delphinium alone to the mercy of the Dominion.
 
There was no verbal response, only the powering down of the heavier direct fire weaponry and the maneuvering of the corvettes to adopt flanking positions. As they did, the carrier began to turn to present its port flank, a curious maneuver until the corvettes crowded closer.

Engaging their gravity drives, they generated a larger than average field that drew the Delphinium along with them, directly on course for the Genbu's hull, where after several minutes, a hangar was visible, yawning ever larger as the fighters it had dispatched formed an escort of their own. The process took about ten minutes, but eventually the Aschen vessel was wafted into the bay to settle against the floor, hopefully on landing gear deployed when the intentions were realized.

As the hangar closed and began to pressurize, a waiting party was ready at the airlock. Composed of twenty four, there were four squads of the Dominion's primary armed forces, the Iron Hounds. Clad in their signature Material-Enhanced Battlesuits, most were armed with the standard Ryujin gauss rifle, though two squads had two members bearing differing armaments. A pair carried Valkyrie HVAP Marksman rifles, while the other pair bore a much more menacing weapon. Larger still than the lengthy snipers, the bulky silhouettes of Gungir Hellfyre plasma cannons were traditionally anti-armor weapons, brought in caution in the event of a Trojan Horse.

The remaining four members of the unit were two Agency pairs, fully geared and prepared to unleash their mental powers with devastating results. Bearing the unique trench coats of the branch, and wearing the somewhat insectoid helmets used when combat was expected, each brandished an identical sidearm to the marines they waited with, the sturdy Hammerlock Rail Pistol.

After several minutes, the airlock cycled, and the group entered the hangar, the squads fanning out as the snipers and heavy gunners took up positions near the bulkhead, while the full strength rifleman squads advanced slowly towards the craft, the agents striding behind them. One linked to the ship's hangar control comm, directing his voice on a channel to the vessel.

"This is Agent Sturbon of the SDS Crashing Tsunami. You are ordered to disembark in pairs, to be searched and then cuffed. Once you are all accounted for, a squad will search the vessel while we have a chat to figure out who is the representative who will be speaking with Solaris command."
 
The Delphinium provided no resistance as it was drawn to the hangar bay of the Genbu, considering it's engines were offline. The Pilot merely engaged RCS points to make minor corrections as the craft was drawn in, as well as deploy it's landing skids to make contact with the hangar floor.

Everyone aboard the Delphinium made their preparations, security officers removed their weapons, and stored them in the overhead storage bins, there was no point in keeping them here, The Chaska's Coordinator, a young man, and Minister Chaska herself would disembark first, followed by her security staff, once the airlock cycled, and the door opened.

There was a hiss as the pressure equalized, and Chaska and her staff coordinator emerged first, hands up, they slowly stepped down the steps that deployed from the side of the ship, once they had reached the bottom, their security officers moved in pairs, hands on their heads in a surrendering position, the only one who didn't have their hands up was the security chief, whom carried a briefcase containing the documents Chaska had been instructed to present to the Dominion.

Several feet away, they all got on their knees, but the telepaths among the group would likely notice the inhibitors protecting their minds; it was standard protocol to prevent state secrets from being leaked to the Dominion, especially for Chaska, whom had knowledge of the Potentia, having surrendered her key to Prince prior to leaving.
 
The receiving teams handled the process with admirable professionalism and swiftness, performing swift but thorough pat downs while they maintained a vigil watch, weapons not quite aimed, but easily capable of doing so should something out of the ordinary occur during the process. The cuffs employed were a standard fare, adamantium shackles with a cloth covered reactive gel insert, adjusting to match the diameter of the individual's wrist with near flush precision, while not risking accidental harm from use. If one attempted to remove their hand, however, the gel would energize, stiffening and swelling to pinch hard against the flesh.

Once the crew was secured, one squad entered the vessel, the lead drawing out a handheld penetrating scanner, the remaining full strength unit employing a similar one to survey the briefcase brought aboard.

Outside, weapons were relaxed on carrying straps, and the Agents holstered their sidearms, while two of them approached the group.

"Who are the representatives dispatched to consult with the Cordon's command, and who is the critical staff required for the representatives?" The voice came from the helmet's audio speakers, loud enough to be readily heard and understood. The Agents had noticed the inhibitors immediately, and their relatively short careers were still fresh enough to be affronted by such devices. Such technologies had never seen development within the Dominion on principle, given the percentage of the population who were psions themselves, and to those used to such a culture, it was nearly barbaric.
 
"I am Helene Chaska, I am the Minister of Defense, for the United Aschen Empire, I have been appointed by the Emperor to make contact and deliver the Quorum's demands to your commanding officials and your government." Chaska spoke up, identifying herself. "The man next to me is my staff coordinator, Iusif Kompos." She said, glancing back to the other man. "And my chief of security, Mark Crichton." She added, identifying the Caprican in the rear of the group. "Everyone else are my support staff and security." She said, letting her now bound hands rest in her lap.

When the crew boarded the ship, they would find the weapons in the bulkhead that the security had stored prior to docking, they were inactive and the fusion cells had been removed, and stored in a separate ammuniton locker. The interior of the ship was furnished fairly nice, with a large room for a desk in the rear, a passenger cabin in the center, and the flight deck in the front of the craft. There were two cargo bays, which were mostly empty save for some crates with food and water for the galley. There was no evidence of this ship being a trojan horse, and it seemed that Chaska's claims were relatively legitimate.

Only Chaska, and a few key personnel wore the inhibitors, the rest of the crew, the support staff for the ship and it's flight crew's thoughts were that of panic, coming to terms with imminent execution, but no one had displayed anything nefarious, but a mixture of fear, apprehension and even disgust. The Aschen thought the Dominion were absolute savages, and their minds had betrayed a drastic shift in Aschen propaganda reflecting the Dominion since the attack.

"The only individuals critical for the Minister are myself, and Mr. Kompos, though I trust in the spirit of whatever diplomacy your civilization is capable of, they would not be imprisoned or subject to whatever you have planned for us." Crichton said, emphasizing 'civilization' in disgust.
 
The speaking agent merely nodded, indicating the three named individuals rise. A Hound passed the briefcase to the security chief, as two members of the mixed squads came forward.

"We'll be moving you and your necessary staff to the forward Communications Center, where you will be having a holoconference with those in charge of the Cordon's operations." A side effect of the speakers was an impersonal tone. "Come along, please."

After the main representatives had been moved from the hangar, boarding one of the vessel trams to cover the several kilometer distance between the hangar and their destination, those remaining were directed to stand by the remaining pair of Agents, and in groups of four brought to a different airlock. This one was substantially larger than the prior one, with clear windows that revealed an unexpected sight on the other side.

A sort of waiting room was present on the other side, with padded seats and equipped with computer terminals, though one Agent silently comm'd the hangar control to initiate lockout of all but purely recreational applications and to disable access to the ship network. To one side was a food processor and caf-dispensor, and as several squad members took position to either side of the door, the other Agent addressed the four selected quietly enough to not be heard farther into the hangar.

"You'll be brought in groups of four at a time, released from your restraints, and allowed to use this facility as you will while your superior is involved with our's. Your access is restricted to this room, and if you do not leave it, we will leave you to your own devices. There is audio and video surveillance inside. Do you understand me?"

As each group approached with an affirmative answer to the question, true to explanation, the cuffs would be removed and they would be allowed within, the doors smoothly cycling without Dominion personnel following. Assuming all entered, the doors would close, and a Hound would tap the code for the door lock to prevent temptation.

Elsewhere, several minutes later, the group with the Aschen representatives came to a stop on the tram, navigating a small maze of corridors to a surprisingly open room, with a single holodeck in the center, operators in sealed booths on three sides glancing their way before turning back to their stations. Several chairs rose from the floor around the deck, and their escorts released the cuffs, gesturing forward.

"Connections are being made, and we expect a stable channel in three minutes. Make yourselves comfortable."
 
Chaska and her two comrades simply moved along their escort without so much as a word, when the Hound returned the briefcase, the Security cheif took the case and held it to his side, as best he could given that he was still restrained, but he would pass the briefcase to Chaska once released in the main conference room.

The rest of the staff were expecting empty space, or a cell block to await them on the other side of the airlock, and many were surprised and rather confused to see a waiting room of sorts, with computer terminals and food processors. The looks and thoughts of confusion were visible, but no one resisted entering the room.

"Maybe the food's poisoned... this has to be some kind of trick." One of them said as he moved to one of the padded chairs, pressing on the cushion, and canting his head in confusion.

Another examined the food dispenser, all of them had expected cells and implements of torture, not comfortable chairs, entertainment, and food.

Not one of them even considered that the Aschen state had embellished or outright fabricated details about the Dominion.

Chaska followed her escort without so much as a word until they reached the main holodeck, Iusif, and Mark sat to either side of them, and Chaska opened the briefcase, withdrawing the documents inside, and going over them one last time before the conference began.

There was a formal declaration of war, outlining the terms of the declaration, the first legal Aschen declaration of war since GW1. There were other statements from the Quorum contained within, copies of the treaties the Dominion and the Aschen had entered into, as well as a decree dissolving any and all normal relations between the two powers.

Once they were set up, they waited for the conference to begin, Chaska had many questions, both from herself and those submitted by the quorum. She glanced at her watch briefly, it would be nine hours until the missile launch.
 
A few moments later, a pair of projections appeared, Admirals Grieves and Eidolan. True to form, the former was standing, Jenovan's head mostly wrapped in its coverings, though a slit was made for his eyes this time, revealing ocular implants where eyes should have been, and the hint of monstrous scarring from some past incident. Eidolan was as himself, seated behind his desk.

"I am Admiral Jenovan Grieves, Dominion Naval Operations Command, and this is Admiral James Eidolan, of the Dominion Solaris Cordon Task Force." The standing projection spoke, his voice betraying an early incident with vacuum exposure at some point. "We're surprised to have such a guest, but for the effort and risk to attain it, you have your audience, Minister Chaska."
 
The Aschen defense minister seemed to spare no pleasantries, choosing instead to get immediately to business, so she could return to her duties within the Empire.

"Three solar days ago our two civilizations were at peace, we had open treaties, even the possibility of trade and furthering our knowledge of each other." The Minister said. "Perhaps for once we could come to trust you." She said, shuffling her papers.

"One thousand six hundred thirty nine imperial warships, eight hundred capital ships, thirty civilian vessels, and a Watchtower were lost because of a merciless, unprovoked and swift Dominion attack." Chaska said coldly. "The Containment blockade that we were establishing to prevent Terran terrorists, the Terran's Machina Daemon, and the anomalies from spreading further was swiftly and totally obliterated in a matter of seconds."

"Your attack was unprovoked and without mercy, and I have been sent by the Quorum to seek answers to your flagrant hostility against our people."

Chaska's expression darkened, and an accusatory tone took hold as she continued to address the Admiralty. "Either your Military commanders sorely lack the capacity for diplomacy and good judgement, or the Dominion was planning to initiate hostilities against the Aschen Empire."

"The honored delegates of the Imperial Quorum suspect the latter, and I personally wonder what lies the Terran National Government has fed your diplomats to bring about such hostility against my people; The Quorum has also determined that our two civilizations cannot peacefully coexist, with your flagrant disregard for even basic decorum with a society you were supposed to be at peace with." Chaska added, setting the paperwork down, and glancing briefly at her watch.
 
Jenovan glanced towards James, watching his peer as the man paused to shift his hands over his desk, obviously manipulating his own holo-screens for relevant intelligence. "To the accusation of our actions being unprovoked, let me inform you of why the Dominion is here, establishing a cordon of the Sol System in the first place."

"It should be common knowledge by now that Dominion assets among the Onyx galaxy that were otherwise engaged in various affairs drew back without warning, due to a sudden influx of anomalous space-time distortions within the Andromeda Galaxy that were beginning to encroach on our own space. Should it be required, I can produce both the telemetry that proves this, both in its refined analyzed and raw data forms, as all of the vessels present here were present for the incursion event, and we of the Dominion retain meticulous records."

"After the period of instability ended, marked by a vessel that had remained on Valore, unable to react to the recall order in time, returning to the Umbral Sector, we dispatched a relief effort at the behest of the Volarian government, who's arrival discovered the anomalies now located within the Sol System. Anomalies which, by the telemetry we received and analyzed from the Terran National Government, were initiated by the Aschen's employment of tricobalt munitions followed by the subsequent use of your Planck field technology, while the distortions created by the former still persisted. Recognizing the threat from our own issues, we entered a temporary accord with the TNG to maintain an interdiction zone around the system, as an effort to prevent further destabilizing elements from entering, and from efforts of the confused, ignorant, or zealous from expanding the anomalies to the greater galaxy. That was the charge of the Solaris Task Force, begun less than a month ago."

Eidolan paused, gesturing to his fellow Admiral, who continued.

"Immediate efforts to enact a proper detection network, from which to locate and enact interdictions in accordance to mission parameters, were begun, and to date has resulted in multiple interdictions with political representatives of nations previously undiscovered within the Onyx galaxy. What was not expected was the sudden appearance of an Aschen fleet in our area of denial, and more seriously, an Aschen fleet armed with the selfsame munitions that were part of a catalyst to the issue at hand, and carrying the materials to build, on site, a Planck generator far more powerful than the ones that triggered the catalyst into generating a full break in space-time to begin with. After initiating a challenge, met with open hostility in the form of overt missile signatures and the advancing of a small formation towards the Solaris station, the interdiction detail continued to communicate, only to be informed plainly that the Aschen contingent had been given orders that conflicted seriously with the Solaris Cordon's assignment."

"With the flagrant demonstration of onboard weapons demonstrated to be highly unstable, and the presence of a large quantity of civilian support craft and personnel in what was perceived a high-potential hostile zone, the decision was made to pre-emptively strike the threat from existence. The assault group was under stringent orders to target only warships capable of posing a serious threat to both our position and the civilian lives within that position, and would have succeeded without collateral casualties had the tricobalt munitions carried by the Aschen vessels been properly stabilized. The subsequent detonation was both unexpected and undesired."

"However, the addition to civilian casualties is baseless to the best of our knowledge, as is the destruction of the Watchtower by our vessels' actions. What remaining Aschen vessels remained in system were ordered and allowed exit of the interdiction zone without prosecution, and the Watchtower still in the fledgling stages of construction was scuttled by its engineering teams prior to the survivors withdrawal."

"This report can additionally be verified with both refined and raw telemetry at request."

The two admirals fell silent, waiting for Chaska to digest their response.
 
Chaska silently went over her own intelligence from the IIA and the reports of the few that had survived the strike, she weighed the notations in the report, with the explanation given to her by the Admirals.

"I imagine you understand, that the strike your forces carried out can be taken as casus belli, I presume that was taken into consideration when the order was given; indeed we have construed this attack as an act of war." Chaska replied, turning a page.

"What assurances can the people of the Aschen Empire have, that this little 'Cordon' of yours won't interfere with Imperial interests, what is an area of denial now, becomes a staging area to invade Aschen space later; my people have concerns; Admiral."

"Even if the outcome was unexpected and undesired, it still happened and an entire fleet was lost. Perhaps your ship captains should have factored the possibility of munitions detonations prior to engaging." Chaska explained, flipping over her file once more. "There are a lot of people in the Empire calling for retaliation, and a lot of people in the Quorum who agree with them."

Flipping a few more pages, she noted the civilians weren't killed, an update from previous when it was presumed they too were lost.

"The Empire will continue to manufacture and use tricobalt weaponry as it's been determined to have strategic value." Chaska assured the Admirals. "We hope for them to become standard armament within the next five yahrens. To that end, our forces will continue to identify, and neutralize Terran affiliated vessels outside this star system, and we will continue to prosecute the Terran National Government both militarily and politically."

"As of now the Quorum of the United Aschen Empire has decided that the only course of action is total war against the Dominion, I have the formal documentation to that end, our military, industrial, and civilian infrastructure are all mobilizing in preparation to drive your people from this Galaxy. If I didn't believe that a peaceful solution can be had, I would simply present my paperwork and accept whatever cruel fate the Dominion had in store."

Slowly, Chaska leaned forward and her body language darkened. "I don't want to see this entire galaxy consumed in the full might of our power, so what can the Dominion do, to appease the people of the Empire, and perhaps pave the way for peace to prevail?"
 
"We are perfectly aware of the choices we made, and what they appear to be. My decision to employ force was a result of maintaining the Dominion policies in keeping with the reputation of adopting a strong stance. It was, however, also influenced by what intelligence we have on Aschen policies, in which diplomatic efforts are largely ineffective." Eidolan looked pointedly at Chaska, tapping an unseen icon and examining something not visible in the holo. "The reports of the number of attempts that the TNG has made to settle aggressions between the state of the Aschen Empire and their own is difficult to believe, save for the monitoring done that confirms enough of them to validate their claims. Which, as evidenced by the stance of the former Aschen position here and your own words, has been entirely fruitless."

"In your own late commander's words, admittance of our purpose and cooperation with here would have marked this task-force for imminent strike, and unlike our reserved action and specific targeting of war-capable assets, your people have time and again demonstrated that civilian targets are entirely valid, even when considered non-combatants. With this particular evidence, I could do nothing else but employ force to enact the withdrawal of Aschen assets around Sol, not in good conscious for the lives I have under my responsibility here."

The man paused, and Jenovan tilted his head fractionally, sighing.

"The assurances that we could make to your government that the Dominion has no designs on the Aschen Empire would all ring hollow, though a copy of the mission orders, both short and long-term, could be provided. As for actions as a result of compliant reports delivered back to the Umbral Sector, that would be the purview of the Council of Thirteen, and inquiries into their intentions would have to be applied directly to them. With a several day lapse in communications between this duty station and our own command, field decisions and policy fall on the commanding admiralty, a policy to enable to autonomy of operations outside of immediate consultation since time immemorial. What can be informed as to requests of this Cordon's command is as follows."

"We have requested the reinforcement of planetary scale counter-missile defense emplacements, as well as several shipments of ECM drone decoy snubfighters. That request will not arrival for another 36 hours, the expected deliberation time of requisition is 24 hours, and actual transit of those assets here would require over two weeks. As a Naval Operations Comand officer, Minister Chaska, I can assure you of this."

"If I was intending to mount operations against the Aschen Empire, I would have put in requisition requests for far more than light defensive reinforcements."

Eidolan cleared his throat, and Jenovan gestured at the man with acquiescence.

"Minister Chaska, the position of this Cordon is that we are an overwatch over an issue that could do to this galaxy what was done to our own. The weapons employed by your government pose a far greater threat with long term effects than has seeming to be considered, and we cannot, in good conscious, allow them to be employed near this system without swift and unyielding challenge. As a task force running on its own autonomy, we do not have the resources to demonstrate overtures of appeasement without compromising the effectiveness of that which has to date spared lives of foreign entities that otherwise would have run astray over the spatial hazards your government has created, as well as interdicting a most unusual and potent example of the anomalies recorded, attempting to leave the system. I am authorizing the vessel you are on to generate a data-holo of the "Kushan" vessel interdicted on exfiltration of the Sol System."

A third graphic appeared, the alien vessel and the refined sensor data from it demonstrating the unresolved analysis of its various facets, with side graphics noting the similarities between the readings of facets of the vessel and what data had been acquired of the anomalies themselves.

"A copy of the data, our findings, and the raw telemetry will be made available to you for your return to Aschen space, to confirm our claims. However, we will also include the communication transcripts of our interaction with the vessel, where I will note that they claim to come from a period long after our conversation here, where your Empire and the Dominion came to full-scale blows. With their claims, that event happened many centuries prior, and resulted in the destruction of the Aschen Empire at their own devices, and the withdrawal of Dominion entities from the Onyx Galaxy, and subsequent technological drive that led them to call the vessels of this cordon 'primitive'."
 
"Diplomatic efforts are fruitless because every time we have dealt diplomatically we have been double crossed, we maintain a policy of never trusting a foreign government, so you are correct to the futility of diplomatic measures." Chaska replied.

Pausing for a moment, the Minister went over some notes, and then looked up. "If you're simply here to provide over-watch, then your cordon won't have a problem assisting Imperial forces in studying the anomalies, and locating the survivors of the fleet your forces so casually obliterated. In addition to a public apology to the people of the Empire."

"The Aschen Empire will maintain a state of war readiness as long as this cordon operates here, if any Dominion vessels venture more than thirty light-years from this star system in the direction of the Aschen Empire, we will consider it an invasion and respond with the full force of our Military might." Chaska said coldly. "I will de-authorize the use of any weapons that could potentially destabilize this star system further, but I fully intend to continue our military campaign against the Terran National Government until it either collapses, or their current government cabinet resigns and does not hold public office again." Chaska explained, writing down the demands on paper. "Even if I'm forced to use our agents on the planet to incite immigrant Aschen populations to riot against the TNG."

"I'm also not confident the Dominion won't simply decide to forge 'Accords' with other entities in this galaxy, boxing us in and preventing our expansion. The United Aschen Empire will seize whatever worlds it deems beneficial to it's continued growth and prosperity, sweeping aside any native populations as they are inconsequential to us."

"Our Emperor, and our Government are also prepared to take whatever measures necessary to remove the Dominion from this galaxy, even if it destroys us and irreversibly damages space time in the process, should it come to that, we also have the capabilities to unleash unimaginable galactic destruction if we're cornered, just as Samson pushed the pillars apart of the temple, killing himself and everyone inside, shall we push apart the pillars of this galaxy, and destroy ourselves, and everything else."

The minister sat quietly as she seemed keenly interested in the reports of this 'Kushan' entity that was discovered in the star system. But she didn't entirely buy it, the look of confusion and somewhat disbelief rang briefly across her face. "Kushan, sounds like the Kushan Order, the markings are vaguely similar; never seen this ship design before." She said quietly to her adjutant.

"Cimtar? That doesn't make sense there are no Cimtar ships of this design." He replied, but Chaska laid down a fair bombshell that seemed the explain Aschen policies concerning Valore.

"Valore is rightful Aschen clay." Chaska said pointedly. "As are all worlds that we deem worthy of conquest, and it should have fallen were. However it is with the help of allies such as yourselves that they have been able to resist our attempts to conquer them." She said. "As for these Kushan, they're Kushan Order, the official name of the Government of Cimtar, a world under Imperial Dominion; I am not aware of any Cimtar excursions to this system, nor any vessels of this design, but I'd like to study your information further."

"If you're true to your statements that this is merely to enact a cordon, then you should have no problems allowing the Aschen Empire to oversee your cordon operations, as well as participate in the cordon itself, as an assurance to our people that your blatant aggression against our fleet was misplaced, and you have no intention of pursuing further aggression with the Empire."

She was deviating from her assigned task, but she hoped that she could return to the Empire having leveraged an Aschen position into the Cordon, where they could watch the Dominion, study the Anomalies, and continue their campaign against the TNG.
 
It was a few minutes before the Dominion Admiralty would respond, conferring with one another and their staff, if their heads turning to either side of the holo-cam was any indication. Shortly, however, Eidolan gestured to someone off-screen, and continued.

"We will make the allowance for oversight in the form of outside watch-posts, however, participation in our operations, when there exists another purpose to such action, is unacceptable." The admiral's voice left no room for argument. "Additionally, such joint operations would require integration to tactical operations and access to resources your people are not cleared for, as well as being under Dominion command of the cordon, which I am sure that your people would not accept."

"Furthermore, however, we can allow the sharing of intelligence of analysis of the anomalies within the system, as well as preparing a more complete set of data regarding the Kushan vessel that came from within the system. However, we cannot assist with the search and rescue for what survivors there may have been from the incident within the Cordon earlier with such hobbling restrictions on transit being demanded. If the anomaly generated a displacement effect as we are aware it can, any such displacement can transport the vessel in question far more than a mere thirty-light years away. As an example, an earlier incident in which the dangerous nature of the system was undertaken, and a vessel that had come from our own sector in the Andromeda galaxy was displaced without our own territory."

Motioning to Jenovan, the seated man merely observed as his peer continued.

"As far as a public apology is concerned, there will be none. We could prepare a statement lamenting the need for such force, but we would still note the justification of the armaments it carried and the threat that poses to this duty station, and this region as a whole. To further expand on this, we do not care what actions you pursue against the TNG, however, those actions will not pass through this Cordon by allowance, as all but critical import and export to and from those nations within the system is restricted. What actions you may incite through your native agents is not our concern, however, if methods are employed that pose a threat to the mission of this cordon effort, those agents will be neutralized with extreme prejudice. This station is expected to conduct its duties seriously, and there will be no tolerance for efforts that pose a direct and clear threat to its operations."

The man shifted his stance, hands clasping wrists behind his back.

"As to what business deals we may make within the Onyx Galaxy as a whole, we will do as we have always done, and retain the ability to form trade pacts with whom we choose. Should the terms of those pacts put us at cross purposes with your government in its expansion is not the concern of this duty station, but I will advise that the Dominion treats its trade compacts in a very open manner, save for the most grievous of breaches. Admiral Eidolan has informed me that there was no information that indicated those we held with the Aschen Empire have been terminated, but direct confrontation over this cordon would suffice to terminate those arrangements, leaving no barrier between your actions and the repercussions my government might make."

"However, I will conclude this statement with one in response to the threat of galactic scale devastation. If your government would be so foolhardy and indiscriminate with the lives of its citizens and of those of the Onyx Galaxy as a whole, my own will not respond kindly. Any survivors of such a holocaust would be hunted down and forevermore neutralized, and if the instrument of such destruction was discovered, it would be dismantled with no hope of repair and operation ever again. Wholesale murder is not conductive to profitable business, and such wanton slaughter would justify the end of the Aschen Empire ever hoping to rise again in any form. The Void requires balance, and there can be no other answer to such atrocity and hubris."

If robotic eyes could pass the indication of cold threat, Jenovan's were doing so, his tone at the end of his speech simply chilling. Such matters were personal to him, as he had once been in operations against a civilization that had no intention to engage in trade or diplomacy, simply exterminating the populaces of the worlds it had claimed in order to minimize its own losses as it expanded. Memento Mori might have been disbanded, but it had a legacy among many officers and enlisted within the Dominion's naval and terran forces.
 
"I'll arrange for the proper sharing of intelligence assets in the coming days regarding the anomalies." Chaska replied. "If you're not going to help us search for survivors, then I must insist you do not hamper our efforts to do so." Chaska explained, shifting through some paperwork, while one of her aides whispered in her ear. "We can spin the narrative regarding the weapons malfunction, downplay the Dominion's attack, and blame the incompetence of the ship's commander for not properly containing the Tricobalt weapons." He whispered, while Chaska nodded, taking the proper notations.

"There are ethnic Aschen populations on Valore that the TNG have abandoned, it is our duty to those people to help them in any way we can, I must insist that at the very least, the Cordon allow us to provide them aid, as well as allow us to provide escort to those aid vessels. With the Machine weapons the TNG have fielded, we won't be moving any serious hardware through the system." She admitted, taking some more notations. "There are thousands of Tech Con employees stranded on Valore as well, I don't trust the TNG to ferry them to our worlds peacefully."

"Lastly I'll meet your conclusion with this assurance, that the Empire would not visit this kind of destruction unless we saw no alternative, and our civilization was already on the brink of extinction, that being said it is in not only our interest, but that of every Citizen in this galaxy, that we are never put in the position where we have to make that choice. The Empire will maintain it's policy of massive retaliation as an effective deterrence, and we will ensure that there is mutually assured destruction to any civilization that threatens our way of life, our party, and our state." Chaska concluded, unfazed by the cold threat, countering it with her own. "No matter how powerful." She said, staring directly at Jenovan, defiantly almost. "Every Imperial Citizen is armed and trained to defend the Empire if need be as well, any aggressors would be hard pressed to push through even our colonial worlds." Chaska added.

"We will be moving fleets into the area to establish oversight, in addition to the construction of supply stations, and permanent watchtowers to observe the actions of the Dominion. I'll also be moving in a small SAR Task force into the system to begin search and rescue operations. I will ensure they won't threaten your operations, but I fully expect them to defend themselves if attacked." Chaska explained. "If we've come to an agreement, then I'd like to adjourn, Thanking you for your audience, I'll be making preparations to ensure there is a clear and open line of communication between our commanders, and yours, to prevent an incident like this from occurring again, because if it does, there won't be another meeting, we will simply retaliate with everything at our disposal."

Slowly shifting her stance, she looked pointedly at the Admiralty. "Do we have an understanding?"
 
The admirals conferenced briefly before Jenovan sat, gesturing to his peer to continue. Eidolan took a breath before continuing.

"On the matter of aid and personnel retrieval, we are afraid we can not comply in good faith permitting Aschen flagged vessels into the system. The Invictus fleet is in place and operations within the system for the sake of engaging and prosecuting such vessels they might find, and placing escorts on such vessels places our own position in the untenable position of strained relations on both sides of our own operations. Within reason, such aid could be transferred and processed through Dominion channels, as negotiations for such agreements with the native governments on Valore might stand in a more positive position with our relative neutrality."

"For these same reasons, search and rescue operations within the system proper stand a greater chance of success when executed by Dominion assets, with our ability to negotiate the deportation of survivors under neutral position."

"Addressing your final point, however, we wish to inform that the intention of fortifying the cordon's security with defensive installations will continue, and to advise your government that supply runs to local asteroid clusters will continue, as construction efforts of the Cordon's more permanent assets has not completed. This information is to prevent unfortunate miscommunication issues from happening, and if these negotiations are successful in terminating hostilities of the immediate moment, we do not wish them to begin if our assets are forced to defend themselves from overzealous patriots not willing to let recent events lie."
 
Chaska frowned, whispering briefly to her aid, whom shook his head, she made a face as well and shuffled her paperwork, one of them bore the seal of the Aschen Quorum, and the text that could be made out was obvious; it was a formal declaration of war.

"You're not giving me much to work with, you won't allow our vessels passage, you won't aid us in search and rescue efforts, it's glaringly obvious your position stands to aid and comfort an enemy of the Aschen Empire, which leaves us with very little alternative, I had hoped we could come to an understanding that would avoid open hostilities but I fear the inflexibility of your position, and the inflexibility of ours leaves very little to interpretation. We will not cease hostilities with the Terran National Government to accommodate your cordon, likewise this cordon appears to be permanent, so there's no possibility for us to ceasefire, and then continue our operations at such time that it could be deemed safe to pass; as the Terran National Government can ask your cordon to restrict travel indefinitely." Chaska said cooly.

"This, and the entire Local region is claimed by the United Aschen Empire, the continued operations of the Dominion, the continued sovereignty of the Terran National Government runs in the face of that claim; additionally with the possibility of further accords between the Dominion and the TNG being forged to the detriment of our own National Security, we seek little alternative but to pursue a course of action to forcibly remove the Shade Dominion from this Galaxy, using any, and all available assets to the Aschen Empire, including strategic weaponry that may or may not cause further destabilization of this area." Chaska said, putting her eyes on the document.

"It is the opinion of the Quorum of the United Aschen Empire, that the Shade Dominion and the United Aschen Empire, Due in part to aid and comfort provided by the Dominion to the Terran National Government, and the Dominion's attacks against the fleet of the Imperial Navy, that it is impossible for a state of peace to be maintained, in the event that efforts by the Minister of Defense to negotiate a remedy to Imperial Grievances fails, a Conditional declaration of war is to be issued as follows;

  • A state of War will exist between the Shade Dominion and the United Aschen Empire until the Shade Dominion withdraws all combat capable assets from this, the Avalon Galaxy.
  • The Aschen Empire will utilize every asset at it's disposal to satisfy the condition mentioned herein, or until such time that the United Aschen Empire is incapable of maintaining military action, in which further strategic actions will be taken.
  • All existing treaties and agreements between the United Aschen Empire, and the Shade Dominion are hence-fourth terminated."
Chaska slowly laid the paper down, and stared Eidolen and Jenovan coldly.

"Give me something, otherwise we will have no choice but to go to war." She said, shaking her head slowly. "I don't know how prepared your people are to fight a war millions of light years from home, I'm certain that's not what you came to do, I could be wrong though. The entire military and civilian infrastructure of the Aschen Empire are ready to fight, and give everything to purge the Dominion from this Galaxy. These talks which I have presented to you, simple demands, which could easily be met with little expenditure on your part, yet you've chosen your hard-line stance, thus we have no choice but to exercise our own."

Sighing, she slid the paper forward. "Unless the Dominion can reconsider it's position, or present me with a viable resolution to take back to my Government, war is our only recourse."
 
Jenovan's mouth twitched, but Eidolan quickly interjected, glancing warily at his fellow admiral.

"Minister Chaska, there's a limit to what allowances we can make, given our mission and available assets. Our ability to handle numerous requests involving committal of personnel to other duties other than maintenance of our duty station is strained, to say the least. There is only so much external committal that two thousand vessels can handle, and be able to maintain an effective quarantine of an entire system."

"For example, the request to participate in search and rescue options, while at the same time making the demand to limit our mobility is counter-intuitive to such a request. With the evidence we possess that those affected by the anomalies are capable of being dispersed distances that make that so unfathomably short ranged, it would be pointless to extend the manpower to sweep that sort of region beyond intensive scanning."

"However, the expectation for us to simply allow Aschen vessels through a quarantine that applies universally, and indeed, to the system's own inhabitants, is unacceptable. Do not misunderstand me, we are not here to safeguard, nor to antagonize."

"What lies within the system is universally dangerous to all parties within this galaxy, and that is what we are here to both keep people from stumbling into, and dragging out of that border. We will not contemplate courses of action that violate that purpose, for as long as it takes to neutralize the threat. Our offers to convey emergency resources and extract personnel and civilians that wish to depart stand, but we will not tolerate a thinly veiled attempt to bribe or blackmail us from fulfilling the mission we have undertaken."

Jenovan settled in his seat, seemingly mollified by his peer's response. He himself had little patience for political niceties that turned into difficulties, but Eidolan's personality was far more suited to this secondary aspect of a Dominion Admiral.
 
Chaska shook her head slowly, before she closed her file suddenly, snapping the paper shut as she drew her gaze back to Eidolan and Jenovan. "The Quorum believes you're here to attack the Empire, and safeguard the Terran National Government, and thus with their demands not being met, and with no reassurances to the contrary of what they believe, have resolved to war. Admirals I, as Minister of Defense am bound by their resolution, which, if upheld will lead to the planning and execution of armed military engagements against your cordon." She said plainly. "As of right now the Quorum has committed the entirety of our military forces to the removal of this cordon, which means those two thousand vessels will be facing the entirety of our strategic, and tactical capability." Chaska warned.

"I'm afraid If you truly desire peace, you'll have to address the Quorum directly, and alleviate their concerns, however unfounded you believe them to be, It is only with a reversal of this declaration of war by the Quorum that any impending armed engagements against Cordon forces will be reconsidered or terminated." Chaska explained, her eyes narrowing. "I must warn you, public opinion has radically changed since we last met, the Empire has changed, the Quorum is squarely in the hands of the more Imperialist among us, and you would do well to consider that, and public opinion before sending a representative." Chaska added, shifting her paperwork and gesturing to her aid. "We're on a very tight timeframe, so it would behoove you to consider your next options within a very short period of time. If that time is allowed to lapse, and our initial engagements begin, you can safely know that a state of war exists between our two people."
 
"Such an address can be made, and we will prepare representatives immediately. With the scarcity of personnel on hand and the relative status existing between our position and your government, neither of us can in good conscience depart this station." Eidolan responded. "If there is nothing else to discuss, Minister Chaska, we will have our delegation selected and briefed, and ready to board your vessel for their address within the hour."

Assuming nothing else but minor pleasantries and disengagements need be made, true to word, the admirals excused themselves, and the Minister's staff were escorted back to the bay and their crew. Given an hour to prepare for their return home, the time was spent for the Dominion Cordon's staff to select a diplomatic team.

Chosen for the duty was Commander Ian Eisehart, the most junior of the senior staff present, assisted by Agent Kolby Panderson, the diplomatic chief liason on loan from the Agency for his experience in foreign contact, as well as an empath with minor telepathic talent. Also attached to Eisehart's staff was Captain James Thatcher, Sergeant Nina Harper, and Corporals Vi Sing and Jang Slater, a Steel Wolf team on indefinite standby aboard the Solaris. Though their main duty was obvious in the role of an honor guard and functional body guards, Thatcher's team had drawn the duty from his own action record in engaging with locals in his prior missions to mutual benefit. Briefed on the immutable directives they could not violate and advised to maintain as much position as they could, they were assembled and shuttled to the carrier, the capital vessel having navigated in the midst of the talks to a position nearer the still moving Solaris.

Striding into the hangar in crisp uniforms, and more telling, bearing no visible arms, the Dominion delegation met with the Minister's people to begin this diplomatic exercise. Thatcher offered his hand in greeting.

"Thank you for this opportunity, Minister Chaska. I'm Commander James Thatcher, and this is my entourage for this address." His tone was even, manner strictly business. "As time is apparently of the essence, I can introduce them en route."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top