Chronicles of The Omniverse Archived Volary: Volarian Royal Palace

as written by Tiko and Sokka

It had been nearly a month since the Shade Dominion ship had departed Volaria to seek answers in the Andromeda Galaxy. Nearly a month since the SEC refugees had arrived. Nearly a month since the earthquake had struck eastern Shintenchi, poisoning the coastal waters and damaging millions in Taiyou property.

The weeks had been hard ones as the summer weather had brought on record drought levels to add the fear of famine to the rapidly growing ills that had begin to pile up. Though conditions weren't yet critical, Avantia had seen the numbers enough to know that it was heading that way.

The addition of the SEC refugees was an added strain, and news from their encampment spoke of unrest growing within their number. It was for this reason she had arranged a meeting with a SEC representative to discuss the situation out there.

The meeting was well underway already, and she was currently listening to the representative's report.

____

"Matriarch, the conflicts in the camps are continuing but I've enlisted some of the security forces that had arrived to assist in policing the camp. However given the population size of the camp....there just isn't enough man power." Deputy Charon said as she reported to the Matriarch.

"On the supply side of things we have shortages of rations, fuel and other necessities. "

"We also have a reports of illness, so far nothing deadly but I fear that something worse could strike the camp..." She said.

____

Avantia turned to her left, speaking quietly in the Volarian tongue to one of the advisers present. They exchanged only a few words before she nodded and turned back to Charon.

"Would two-hundred men to help with distributing rations, and mediating conflict be sufficient to address the problem?" she inquired.

Her translator stood near at hand, repeating her words into the common tongue for Charon.

"I think that would help improve the situation. Though I'm sure as you know there will always be conflicts but distribution will at least keep things fair." She said.

"Have you heard anything from the expedition Matriarch?" She asked.

Before Avantia could offer a response, a resounding and bone-ratling boom reverberated through the palace. Again and again the distant explosions shook the building from the tremors caused by the nuclear warheads that had been unleashed in lower Volary.

The response was swift, and before Avantia was even half-way to her feet she found herself surrounded by her royal guard. Four of them in total, but from the sound of footsteps, more were on their way.

As another explosion left the crystal chandeliers rattling overhead, the decision was swiftly made to relocate the Matriarch.

She knew not what was going on, but if the city was under attack, there were protocols to be followed and she was ushered away without a word of explanation to Charon. She herself hadn't managed to utter so much as a brief inquiry before she found herself swept from the room.

It was an attendant who approached Charon, speaking urgently.

"Come, this way," he told her. "Quickly."

He turned, ushering Charon towards one of the smaller side doors, opposite where Avantia had been taken.

Charon followed the man wondering what might be going on. However she chose to remain silent for the moment until she was safe.

It was to the east tower that Charon was taken. The rooms here were typically reserved for servants and attendants, or guests of the Matriarch, and it was within one of these vacant rooms that she found herself.

"Stay in here," the attendant instructed.

He didn't wait for a reply before he swept back from the room, closing it with a click behind him before moving off through the palace at a hurried pace.
 
as written by Tiko

twenty minutes later...


Avantia had been relocated to her chambers, which currently remained under heavy guard, with none permitted entry save for those of her royal guard tasked with her protection. It was from here that she had been directing response efforts to the terrorist attack that had shaken her city and it was here that news reached her of the tragedy that had just claimed the lives of thousands more.

"Matriarch," Dhiren spoke up as the door to Avantia's chambers were opened to admit him. His armor marked him as a member of her royal guard and he bowed deeply before speaking. "There was another explosion, at the hospital. Estimates put the dead into the thousands, and the injured nearly as many."

"By the spirits..." Avantia whispered.

An awkward silence ensued, and it was clear that there was more news yet to come.

"What is it?" Avantia asked.

"Captain Iyengar is among the dead...."

Avantia raised her hand to her mouth and her fingers shook as she pressed them to her lips at the news. Pain and grief played through her expression, and when she spoke, her voice shook with the effort.

"Thank you, that will be all," Avantia said.

"Matriarch," Dhiren answered with a bow before he departed.

The emotions that rolled through her were such that she was sure she would succumb to her grief right then and there. Unfortunately she hadn't the luxury of such things. She was the Matriarch. How many other Iyengar's might there have been among the dead? How many fathers, and sons, husbands and wives... how many Volarians would grieve as she does in the weeks ahead? No, the time to mourn what she had lost would come, but for now her duty was to her people.

She sat down at her desk and pressed the button on a small comm device. "Summon the ministers for an emergency council session."
 
as written by Tiko

"This is outrageous!" exclaimed the master of war. "We must act immediately to enact swift reprisal!"

"We don't yet know enough to take hostile action," the minister of international affairs interjected.

"The situation is obviously a preemptive strike by the TNG, to cripple our nation and prevent our participation in coming war efforts," the minister of coin exclaimed.

"A preemptive strike while engaged in an altercation of their own with the Aschen Empire?" inquired the minister of law. "It doesn't add up."

Back and forth Avantia's ministers and advisors argued vehemently over the appropriate course of action to take in response to the terrorist attack that had struck their city. The minister of coin, Aashirya Kaniyar, had long supported war efforts against the TNG, and the recent attack upon their capital had swayed many to lending her their support. The more level minded of Avantia's immediate council remained undecided on the matter.

Avantia herself was quieter than normal throughout the debating. Kamil's seat at the table sat empty, and her mind kept wandering to the words uttered to her prior to the meeting. Captain Iyengar is among the dead....

She scarcely took note of one of her ministers inquiring into footage acquired by one of their drones off the coast of Terra until Krishav pressed a button on a small device set in the center of the table. The sudden appearance of the holographic projection above the table jarred her out of her internal thoughts and she looked to the images.

"Tell me what I'm looking at," Avantia stated finally.

"This is where the missiles from the coast originated from, before our watchtowers intercepted them," Krishav explained. "The vehicles are Terran military in both make and marking, and we were able to identify several of the faces from the images. He indicated one of the Terran officers. "This is sergeant Joseph Grier, of the Terran marines, and this one..." he paused as he pointed out a woman in the passenger seat of one of the vehicles. "This is Natasha Zolner, a known associate with the Invictus, and body guard to their leader, Fatin Alfarsi. I don't know what more evidence you want into the involvement of the TNG in this attack," he concluded with a pointed look to the minister of internal affairs. "Word reached us that the Invictus lent its aid to the TNG against the Aschen as well. Clearly this new TNG Prime Minister has allied herself with the Invictus organization."

"Perhaps..." Avantia said.

She didn't seem entirely convinced, but then again did it matter?

Her eyes didn't waver from the image of Natasha's face, and there was a hardness in her eyes. She had needed to put a face to those responsible, and she had found it in that woman and the organization she stood for. The Invictus.

Whether the marines acted alone, or by direction of the TNG, it didn't change the simple fact that she had warned the TNG of the dangers in allowing an organization such as the Invictus to operate within its borders.

The TNG government moving against the Shintenchi nations while they were already engaged in an altercation of their own with the Aschen didn't make sense, but it was the TNG's incompetence in controlling such an entity that had resulted in this attack upon her city. If their own marines were involved, then their control over the situation was rapidly spiraling out of control. As far as she was concerned, they were equally guilty as those who had launched the missiles.

"Krishav," she said. "Begin drawing up a declaration that as of now, we are in a state of war with the TNG."

"But Matriarch-" the minister of foreign affairs began but she was quickly cut off by Avantia.

"The decision is made," Avantia stated.

She reached out and started pressing buttons on the comm device affixed to the table in front of her. The call she put out was to Sato, and once she had her on the line she would press the button to put her on speaker for the council.

"Sato?" she inquired. "This is Avantia. You are speaking before the royal council. The decision has been reached, and Volaria will stand with the Sato Shogunate in war efforts against the TNG, under the conditions previously discussed."
 
as written by barney_fife

"You have my deepest condolences for what happened in your city, and if there's anything we can do, let us know." Sato replied once the line was established.

"I'm grateful to have your support, Matriarch." Sato responded, while the decision had already been set within her own government, and her Generals were already drawing up plans.

"Our militaries can meet to discuss coordination on the initial invasion. I plan to use the momentum given to us by the Aschen attack to move swiftly. We must exercise caution, however. The TNG has demonstrated the lengths they are willing to go to win against the Aschen, there is no indication they will not attempt similar desperate attacks against our own cities in an attempt to break our resolve. When your declaration of war is finalized, we'll attach our own declaration, and initiate naval and air attacks against industrial, military, and logistical centers to slow their response, while we prepare for a push across the Great Seto Bridge.

"The TNG will be made to pay for their actions today."
 
as written by Lobos

"Your words are well received," Avantia answered. "We will be in contact."

As the call was ended, Avantia dismissed the gathered ministers who began to filter out of the room with quiet murmurings among one another.

"A moment," Avantia said to an attendant. "Summon Rebekah Issane," she instructed. "I wish to speak with her."

"At once, Matriarch," the attendant answered before offering a bow and departing swiftly.
 
as written by Lobos and Tiko

About ten minutes later, Rebekah strode into the meeting chamber. "You requested me, Matriarch?"

____

"I did," Avantia answered. "Tell me, what do you know of today's events?" she asked.

____

The woman grimaced. "This and that."

"A limited, but still extensive, tactical breakdown of the fleet battles in the rest of the system, as well as intel from Vice Admiral Jenovan in Westeria City regarding the Aschen assault on the city itself. The missile launches were noted, but given that they were handled and we lack a better overhead over Terra, not much more than that. Limited information on the events here in the city, with most of the infrastructure interfering with our ship's sensors."

"Why?"

____

Avantia reached out and reactivated the device on the table from earlier, which began to display the images captured by their drone off the coast of the mainland.

"These were taken, not long ago," Avantia explained.

Once again the TNG Marines, and Invictus soldiers were evident in the images.

"I asked you here, because I want your help," she said. "My city is in chaos, and the casualty count has already climbed into the thousands. And yet, none of this makes any sense."

She paused as she studied Rebekah a moment before continuing.

"The decision has been reached to enter into war with the TNG," Avantia said.

She gestured to the images.

"These images will placate the general populace on the matter, but the TNG moving against us in such a manner, and at such a time... it doesn't add up," she said with a shake of her head. "War with the TNG is an unfortunate necessity regardless of the truth that lays behind these images, but I need to be certain the right people are held culpable for what transpired here today."

____

Studying the images intently, the woman replayed the data taken from the sensors aboard the Hornet's Nest in her mind, puzzling through her thoughts. Shifting her focus on the glasses in front of her face, she checked the times on the takes her people had gathered, then looked at the images again.

"Doesn't make sense. The timing is all wrong. What we could determine about Terran groundside operations around the times that the missiles were launched, military activity was at a sharply, and publicly, decreased status except at two points. Westeria City, and there." The Director scowled, walking closer to the images, gazing between captured faces. "No, the timing doesn't make sense. And the method seems flawed as well. Why, when the Aschen were striking while the TNG's space assets were greatly reduced, would they launch a doomed missile barrage at Shintenchi, knowing about the watchtowers. It's illogical, from a military standpoint, as on top of priorities being completely ignored, its wasting assets on an action that has close to zero percent of succeeding."

"This might be an educated hunch, or a wild guess, but I'm thinking the high command of the TNG had no knowledge of the movement or launches of those missiles until after the fact, if at all. If I had to point a finger, it'd be at her." Rebekah's hand gestured to Natasha. "Which raises the question of whether the leaders of the TNG know what their recent allies have been up to, or if they're just desperately reaching at whatever tools they can, given the Aschen actions."

The woman shook her head. "That's about all I could think of. If it was TNG sponsored, then whoever did the sponsoring was a sloppy fool."

____

"I do not disagree with your assessment, which is why I request your aid," Avantia explained. "I would ask of you and the Shade Dominion to investigate this matter, as a neutral entity. To seek out the truth behind these images, and help us to see that those responsible are brought to proper justice. The Shade Dominion possesses a vaster intelligence network than anything Shintenchi possesses. Even with the loss of contact with the Andromeda Galaxy."

____

"Understood, Matriarch." The request triggered a shift of protocol. In this it was not two highly ranked women who happened to be friends, but the Matriarch of Volary and the Director of the Agency. "Let me organize my people and see what resources we have available to begin our investigation into the matter. With luck, the mission into Andromeda will be a success, and increase what we have to work with."

Rebekah offered Avantia a bow.

____

Avantia in turn inclined her head towards Rebekah from her seat. It was a rare gesture that spoke of the deep respect and gratitude from the Matriarch.

"Our own resources are at your disposal, to aid in this investigation," she answered. "I will assign a liaison to serve as my hand and voice on the matter. They will see that anything you require, is provided."
 
"Director Issane?"

The voice coming through her audio implant made the woman flinch, guiltily lifting her torso off the desk she'd been working through various reports and fell into napping upon. Shaking her head to wake herself more fully, she tapped the subdermal to open the response channel. "Issane here."

"We've picked up an encrypted channel being broadcast planetside. The encryption scheme was Terran, but before that, there was a naked Dominion transmission."

Her exhaustion evaporated faster than water through into a plasma arc reactor as she bolted upright. "What?"

"A Dominion ship is in broadcast range. So naturally, we jacked in through our backdoors, and you're going to want to hear this, ma'am."

"Patch it through to me."




A little over an hour later, after contacting and conferencing Admiral Grieves over on TNG territory, Rebekah was synced with the local Longsword parked in Volaria, waiting for the vessel to finish preparations to hail the Dominion vessel in Sol System. After a few minutes, a double click sounded in her ear, signaling that the handshake had been sent and authenticated.

"This is Director Rebekah Issane, authentication ID Lima, Ceti, Alpha, Six, Nine, Six, Four, Espilon, Niner. Inform local command that myself and local staff are available for coordinated assistance in Sol System and greater region. Additionally, inform them that Forward Admiral Jenovan Grieves is available for employment as well."

The woman needed to conference with the Matriarch later, and resolved to acquire an appointment when this communication was finished.
 
The appointment came as expected. Despite the growing demands for the Matriarch's time, she always seemed to find a way to afford Rebekah a few moments of it here and there. There was little in the way of formalities though. There simply wasn't time for such things, and the audience came in the offer of an invitation for Rebekah to join her for a demonstration.

With Captain Iyengar's passing in the terrorist attack upon the city, Avantia was tasked with the matter of choosing a new Captain of her royal guard. A task she did not particularly relish. The demonstrations of candidate prowess, tact, and wit were an old tradition though - one which she did not care to shirk in light of recent shifts in popularity and support of her position as Matriarch. Some motions must be made, to appease the people.

And so with the noon-day soon above them, Avantia and her royal guard had gathered within the courtyard of the Royal Palace. Candidates had been nominated from within their own ranks, and they would compete to win Avantia's approval.
 
The Dominion Director gladly accepted the invitation, seeing it as a two-fold boon. It would allow her to conference with the Matriarch on the subject of recent news and decisions, and allow her to see yet another facet of the culture rapidly becoming endearing the woman. Taking a few moments to prepare and attire properly for such a relatively official proceeding, she followed her escort to join the Matriarch, bearing a small purchased carry-all with a few data pads and papers tucked inside.
 
Rebekah's arrival was met with the usual pleasant reception.

"It is good to see you," Avantia spoke. "The urgency of your request leads me to believe this is matter greater than a social call?"

The courtyard was flooded with members of the Royal Guard but most of their attentions were on the demonstrations, and the pair had the space to discuss matters discretely with no one hovering over them.

The demonstrations themselves had yet to really rev up, and they had opened with some simple spars between contestants. Clad in light-weight armor and wielding vishtafas, the lithe avorians were quite nimble warriors.
 
Glancing over the courtyard briefly, Rebekah nodded, observing the individual duels before turning back to the Matriarch. "Indeed, though it is well to see you, Matriarch."

Collecting her thoughts, Rebekah drew a data-pad from her carry-all, consulting it for a moment. "An interesting turn of events, Avantia. It seems our envoy to the Dominion made it. A sizeable Dominion force is present around the system in a joint effort to handle the anomalies, but more immediately concerning is recent actions. A conflict of interests with a local Aschen fleet resulted in an armed intervention. It was a success, with no friendly casualties."

"They've been warned to expect a retaliatory strike, and we intercepted the native frequencies to get updated ourselves. I wanted to let you know I intend to aid in the defense of the system, and I also wanted your thoughts on the matter."
 
"Retaliatory strike," Avantia replied as if mulling over the words. "I imagine you speak of past efforts to simply destroy the entire planet, rather than settle their dispute with the TNG directly?"

It was a troubling thought, and one that hadn't fully left her mind since the Aschen departure from the region a month prior.

Volaria held no love of the Aschen, and Avantia in particular less so than most given her personal involvement with them.

"I understand the military assets on order were delayed due to the situation in the Andromeda Galaxy, and now the Sol System," Avantia replied. "You know the situation with the TNG is wavering on the brink of war, but the Aschen are a threat to this entire planet, and the star system. I do not begrudge your involvement with the TNG in regards to the cordon."
 
Nodding at the Matriarch's question, Rebekah continued to listen, before responding.

"Yes. Assuming that the main reason for the delay in the order was the troubles in Andromeda, I'd imagine that the vessels should be arriving any day now."

She paused, trying to decide on how to word her response to Avantia's last words. "Ultimately, the Cordon's duty is for the entirety of the Sol System, and though the TNG asked us to establish it, overall the Dominion will operate it in the same faith as we would extend to all of the nations on Valore. That being said, the Aschen will most likely not be discriminate in their endeavors, if they indeed are planning to strike back. We have received assistance from the TNG in the form of some personnel, but we'll not deny any other nation the ability to aid in the defense of their home."

"If I might be so bold, perhaps it might even be a platform for more effective grounds from which to stage negotiations."
 
"The TNG's fleet strength has been greatly diminished. Between the disappearance of large swaths of their fleets with the initial onset of the anomalies, coupled with the destruction of their remaining Triremes in repelling the Aschen a month ago, their resources run thin. The defense of this planet no longer rests in their hands alone," Avantia remarked. "Volarian presence at the cordon would indeed strengthen our position on Valore, and gain us much needed support from the other nations of Valore."
 
"That is true, and I would hope such a demonstration and support would allow the conflict to settle with minimal loss of life." Issane concluded, before sighing.

"I myself am intending to venture into orbit soon. The abilities I possess will be needed in a worst case scenario." This last was said with another sigh. While she would prefer to remain in Volaria, duty called.
 
"These talks will be missed, when you depart," Avantia admitted. "I will ensure that all that you have set into motion here continues in your absence. In the meanwhile I must make some calls once the demonstration has concluded. I fear that the Taiyou Shogunate waver in their resolve, a matter which will need to be remedied if Volaria is to join the cordon."
 
Some time later...

Avantia had already made arrangements for a private call between herself and Sato to discuss recent development and she was now seated in her private office with the teledevice set to speaker on the table in front of her. As both she and Sato were all but indisposed of, it had taken some finagling to arrange the time for the call, but Sato should be connecting through shortly.

While she awaited, Avantia was going over some paperwork with a furrowed brow. The strain from the SEC refugees outside the city was putting a burden upon Volaria, and hopefully fresh news from the Andromeda Galaxy regarding the state of the SEC home front would be arriving any day now. With travel and communications reestablished through the Shade Dominion, they should have more information soon.
 
The office of Takara Sato was a symbol of chaos, squandered deep in an underground complex situated underneath ParaSol command and control, she was quietly awaiting the line to connect, the inside of the office was quiet, but there were star charts strewn about the top of her desk.

Several of them were highlighted, with patrols having scouted the outermost fringes of Aschen space; risking life and limb to catch a glimpse beyond the Veil that the Aschen shrouded themselves in.

Much was rumor and conjecture, but long range telemetry in the tal'dor system had revealed disturbing news for sato.
 
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