(Newbie) Galactic Combat 3 - Story Thread

[Vezzra]

Boswell summit, part 2...

Nether'noS Empire, 10th of 2409.8

The yellow-red ship was clearly visible on the sky above Boswell Interstellar Spaceport. At first it was only a tiny dot high above the horizon, surrounded by three other dots, the escorts that guided the ship to the landing site. There a large multitude was already waiting, a welcome committee led by Emperor Hov'gra himself, and a vast crowd of spectators who were curious to see the new guests arriving. When the ship closed in, it's features became discernible, it was a Kilrah light cruiser with the characteristic wings on its left and right side. On board was Warlord Roanon, ruler of the Kilrah Clan, the most powerful empire of the galaxy.

It was late afternoon. Emperor Hov'gra watched silently as the ship approached. He could hardly hide his excitement - in a few moments he was going to stand face to face to Warlord Roanon, for the first time. They had been in close contact for over two years now, and grown very fond of each other in this time, but they had never met personally. Now the day had come, finally! Hov'gra's thoughts were filled with memories from the Last two years, how much this alien regent has changed his life. Hov'gra and the Nether'noS owed him very much - him and Emperor Prometheus of Nyxian, who had arrived three days ago. Had it not been but for these two powerful regents, the Nether'noS Empire would not exist anymore...

With an elegant maneuver the Kilrah ship descended onto the landing site and touched down smoothly. Warlord Roanon and a small retinue emerged from the ship. Being methane breathers like the Nether'noS, they did not need to wear environment suits, so they appeared in full attire. The Kilrah were feline beings, a proud and honorable warrior race, and their movements were of a fascinating elegance. Even at the distance the special aura of power of this aliens could be felt. The Nyxians that had arrived three days ago had a special aura of power too, but it was of a different kind.

Slowly the welcome committee led by Hov'gra and the Kilrah delegation led by Roanon approached each other. Hov'gra fixed his gaze on Roanon, he could feel his heart beating faster. When they met, everyone stopped. For some long moments there was a solemn silence. Hov'gra and Roanon eyed each other, and each of them could see in the other's eyes the joy finally to meet personally. Then Hov'gra spoke the traditional welcome words of the Nether'noS: "Be welcome to this place. May your arrival here be to the benefit of your plans and intentions, may you succeed in all your doings." They exchanged a hearty welcome, and boarded a vessel that brought them to the quarters that had been prepared for the Kilrah.

Hov'gra and Roanon immediatly met in private. Although they wanted to keep it brief, this meeting Lasted almost two hours. Too much to talk, too many thoughts to be shared on this first opportunity to meet personally. Then the Kilrah had some time to settle in, and later in the evening all three emperors, Prometheus, Roanon and Hov'gra met for the first time.

It was well past midnight when Hov'gra returned to the Silver Tower, and it took him quite some time to fell asleep. A Nether'noS does not easily get excited, but to meet Roanon for the first time, the importance of the summit that lay ahead of them, the war his people were about to enter in, was too much to put aside easily. The next days would be busy ones, and the months and years ahead hold both promises and unknown dangers.

[ January 22, 2004, 20:37: Message edited by: Vezzra ]

[Thermodyne]

Thermodyne sat reading through the reams of reports that the empire generated every month. All of the internal departments were reporting another month of outstanding growth, and the economy was continuing to run a surplus. The border dispute in the northeast had been settled without the need for any strategic fleet actions, and all of the frontiers were peaceful. The nearest war was many light-years away, but it was this very problem that was the foremost concern of Thermolia.

What had started as a small war had grown into a much larger conflict. And as Thermodyne had seen many times before, was now well on the path to becoming a pan galactic conflict. Thermodyne again looked at the mandate that the Senate had drafted, and with a few key strokes, slapped a veto on it. There would be no Thermolian expeditionary adventures. Thermolia would remain neutral; there would be no Thermolian fleet units sent to aid any of the combatants. The bulk of the fleet would be retained for defensive picket activities.

But, the war had changed the Galaxy. Thermodyne now issued an order to summon the many foreign ambassadors to examine the state of relations with each of the races currently trading with Thermolia. There would have to be changes.

[Vezzra]

Boswell summit, part 3, conclusion...

Nether'noS Empire, 15th of 2409.8

The great day had arrived! Today the official signing ceremony would take place. The Last few days had been very busy, there had been numerous meetings, where details of the treaties, the exact wording of certain passages, details of the various ceremonies and other important matters had been discussed. These have been long days, and short nights.

Emperor Hov'gra sat at his desk and went through his schedule for this day. Several Last minute meetings till noon, then, at 2pm the great ceremony would begin in the Council Hall of the Silver Tower. The ceremony would take at least three hours, after that numerous celebrations should take place, and again meetings, meetings until midnight. A few hours of rest, and in the early morning next day the meetings would continue.

Hov'gra sighed. But time was short, Prometheus and Roanon had to leave on 17th, as the war demanded their return to their empires. A strange thing were these celebrations. The Nether'noS were not used to this kind of things, as well as entertainment or leisure. These were alien concepts, the whole life of a Nether'noS was dedicated to planning, devising strategies to deal with the problems life confronted him with, and hard work. Luxury was also something one would hardly find in Nether'noS society. Solemn ceremonies the Nether'nos were familiar with, but festivals and celebrations?

However, the Nether'noS learned that other species definitely had such things in their culture and their society, and in order to adapt to their habits the Nether'noS had tried to offer them some luxury and celebrations on this occasion, as it should be a remarkable event for all of them. The Kilrah were easier to handle, as they seemed to adhere to a simpler lifestyle, but the Nyxian had quite an interest for luxury and celebrations. Hov'gra remembered with some amusement an encounter with Ambassador Dionysus. Once, after he had arrived with a message from Prometheus, they had asked him to stay until Emperor Hov'gra had his answer ready, to take it to Emperor Prometheus. During his stay, Dionysus organized a strange religious ritual of the Nyxian, called an "orgy". Well, it had been quite an unique experience for the Nether'noS that participated, something they would not forget for the rest of their lifes...

A soft buzz demanded his attention. "Admiral Vaukh'nor is here" a voice announced. "He may enter", Hov'gra replied.

Admiral Vaukh'nor entered. "In an hour the meeting of Grand Admiral Rergh of the Kilrah, the military leaders of the Nyxian who accompanied Emperor Prometheus and myself will take place. Any directives?" Straight to the point, as always, Hov'gra thought. Admiral Vaukh'nor was an extraordinary man - the most brilliant of all the officers of the Imperial Navy. Enough reason to entrust him with the supreme command of the forces that were already beginning the attack on Pi'Ogoyot. "No. Nothing you do not already know. Dismissed".

Several hours later Emperor Hov'gra stood on a balcony in the Council Hall and looked over the scene. In half an hour the ceremony would begin. The Last preparations had been finished, and the representatives of the three empires began to gather in the great hall. Diplomats, high ranking military officers, ministers, security personell, and numerous members of the news networks, who were going to record the historical event, were present. This records would be sent to the many worlds of the three empires and broadcast to the people of Nyxian, Kilrah and Nether'noS, as a testimony that a new era had begun, where relationships between the three empires would be closer than ever before.

Exactly at 2pm Emperor Hov'gra opened the ceremony. Everyone was present: Warlord Roanon, his foreign minister and their retinue, Emperor Prometheus, the leaders of the Nyxian races Chronos, Hera, John and their retinue, the members of the Nether'noS Imperial Council and all the other government officials of the Nether'noS. Hov'gra welcomed the assembly and then proceeded to welcome the guests of honor, quite a list on this historical event. After that each of the three emperors gave his opening speech.

Now the great moment had arrived: The three emperors stood up in front of the whole assembly. Everyone was silent. The treaties that would constitute their new alliance was brought before them, and the three emperors signed them, thereby officially sealing their new bonds. A new era had begun! The "Boswell Treaty", as it should be known later in history, was in effect. Then Warlord Roanon and Emperor Hov'gra stepped forward to officially proclaim that their empires would now enter the war on the Nyxian's side and signed the declarations of war against the ZAX Society and their ally, the Rorg Empire.

The ceremony continued with words of thanks given by various representatives of the three empires, to an almost endless list of persons who had contributed to the efforts, the hard work, the many negotiations that made this day possible.

As a final act the three emperors left the Council Hall and the Silver Tower and showed themselfes to the vast multitude that had gathered on the great place at the feet of the Silver Tower. They presented the treaties they just had signed to the people, and something that really rarely happened in Nether'noS society now happened: The Nether'noS people showed emotions. They rejoiced, they celebrated, because a dark fear has been taken from them. Only three years ago things had been grim, very grim. Anarchy and civil war raged through the empire, enemies had been threatening to destroy the completely unaware and helpless Nether'noS.

It was when he learned from the Kilrah what had been going on during this time of anarchy, after he had been able to take over the government and slowly regaining control of the empire, that Hov'gra realized a profound change was necessary to take place in his mind and the mind of his people. A plotter and schemer society they had been ever since, suspicion their very nature. Never trust anyone, only rely upon yourself. Do not ever get dependend on others, as they will surely betray you, it is only a question of time.

But where had this way finally led them? To the brink of total destruction, of final doom. Had it not been for the Kilrah and Nyxian, who threatended their enemies with war when the Nether'noS had been utterly defenseless, they would not exist anymore.

Hov'gra had always been different, his way of thinking quite unusal for a Nether'noS. Maybe that is why he was open for an even greater change, and he realized that the Nether'noS had come to a point were they simply had to trust someone. Their little empire was surrounded by the most powerful empires of the galaxy, which were slowly drawn into war. How could they hope to survive, on the long run?

It had been hard work, and it still was. His ministers, his people found it very hard to accept his ideas, and opposition was still strong, but there were others who had realized that something had to change, and with their support, and his success in establishing beneficial relationships with the Kilrah and the Nyxian, and the great support he got from these empires, he was able to strengthen his rule, overcome the opposition and put his ideas into practice. Today no one dared to challenge his rule, and he was the hero of his people.

He looked down on his people. Today he was their beloved ruler. He had led them out of anarchy, reestablished peace and order, and finally found a way to give them what they desired more than everything else: peace and safety. But he knew, as he was standing here with Emperor Prometheus and Warlord Roanon, his mighty allies, that the danger had not passed yet. First a war had to be fought, and it might well be not the Last one. Mighty alliances as the one they had formed today, often awake the fears of other empires. How would they react?

Should war ever reach the Nether'noS worlds, his people might easily turn against him. Plotting and scheming was so much part of their nature, this could not be overcome in just two years. This would take the lifetime of generations. And he still had enough enemies who would use any opportunity to arouse the suspicion of the Nether'noS people against their young leader.

The future held both promises and dangers, he realized once again. But now his people should do something really unusual: celebration. Another strange new thing for them...

===========

Ok, this was the great Boswell summit. Finally over, but the real action has just started...

[Ruatha]

Good narrative story.
I've missed it before for some reason....

[Vezzra]

Thanks!

You really should start writing again yourself, Ruatha. I'm sure everyone now ponders the question: "What will the Swedes do?"

And, btw, we *really* need a replacement player for ZAX. This empire shouldn't go down like that

[Vezzra]

Proclamation of The Alliance

The Alliance, Nether'noS Empire, 3rd of 2410.6

Hov'gra exited the elevator and entered his office. He nodded to his secretaries, then went to his desk to check for this mornings Messages. A brief scan through the newly arrived ones, and he found the one he had been waiting for. He turned to his first secretary: "Summon the Imperial Council for a meeting in the Council Hall at 3pm today". The tall Nether'noS who had been addressed by this order bowed slightly and quickly left the room.

At 3pm the Imperial Council assembled in the Council Hall, and the Emperor opened the meeting.

"Greetings honorable members of the Imperial Council. The message we have been waiting for has arrived today, the honorable Emperor Prometheus has also agreed to the latest proposals.

It may seem to be an issue of minor importance, nevertheless it has some significance in showing the unity of the alliance we formed with the Kilrah and the Nyxian Last year. The Emperors of the three members have agreed that our alliance should be known simply as 'The Alliance' from now on. By referring to our alliance by this name, we want to make a claim: That this is not merely one alliance among others, but the most powerful one, the supreme power of the galaxy.

It is our sincere hope that the other empires realize the power and unity of The Alliance and our determination to meet any challenge. The sooner they acknowledge our supremacy, the sooner a new, golden era of peace can be established.

A formal proclamation shall be send to all empires of the galaxy. We shall now discuss the wording of this proclamation in detail."

Only half an hour later the meeting ended, and a little later in the evening the following proclamation was handed to all foreign ambassadors present on the Nether'noS homeworld and broadcast to all interstellar information networks:

"To all Emperors, Regents, Leaders and Representatives of all the empires of our galaxy:

It is our wish to inform the governments of all the empires of the galaxy, that the alliance that has been constituted by the Boswell Treaty 2409.8 on the Nether'noS homeworld shall be known and referred to from now on as 'The Alliance'. We want everyone to know that we stand as a unity and are determined to meet any challenge. Those who choose to maintain a friendly relationship with The Alliance we will treat as friends, but we will face down any power that dares to challenge us.

The Alliance, on 3rd of 2410.6"

===========


With all due humility

[Roanon]

Well, I think now it is time for me to write a little text too. With the usual warning of course: please excuse my clumsy english, I'm not a native speaker.

Kilrah Main Palace, 2nd of 2410.5

Warlord Roanon was studying the reports on his desk. He sighed.
A call interrupted his thoughts. “The Foreign Minister, as ordered!” The slim figure of one of his oldest ministers – and oldest friends - entered.
“Any news from the Alteri Unity?”
“Nothing again, my Lord.” the minister saluted. “We can send another message...”
“Hmmm” those who knew Roanon could hear his utter dissatisfaction out of this single sound. Alien minds at work. Again, Roanon had problems to see reasons behind the strange reactions of other races, reactions he was just not able to understand. He had a decision to make, for actions he already had prepared but had hesitated to carry out for too long. “We cannot tolerate their continued support of our enemies any longer. We have warned them, multiple times. We have given them the opportunity to end their hideous scheming and declare an open, honest war. Several times. I do not see anything else we can do – they obviously have no honor we can appeal to.”
A short break followed while Roanon sorted through the message pads on his desk, rereading what little communication from the Alteri had reached him. “should we be forced to enter this conflict you will Last only as long as it takes our fleets to reach yours ... 43 of our planets have been dedicated to military production ... should you not listen to reason the remaining 50+ shall also be so dedicated ...” he sighed again. What were they thinking, trying to intimidate him with so obviously hollow threats and such insignificant numbers? His staff had suggested that “500+ planets” had really been meant, but the Messages had been double-checked for translation and transmission errors, and his scout and intel reports did not allow for such numbers.
Should he wait another month? But what he was reading again did not make it likely that the Alteri would be able to listen to the voice of reason, maybe not even able to hear it at all. Obviously they were not only allied with the Argons, but also thinking alike. The Argons, who also had not listened, and who even after the start of the war did not apologize or withdraw, but made ridiculous demands with the attitude of a lord to his slave, while at the same time loosing battle after battle, even to outdated ships left over from the Last war.
“Our fleets can not be held back any longer, our warriors are just not used to sitting around doing nothing. We will have to formally declare war by ourselves then. Now. Instantly. You know what to do.” waving his hand, Roanon dismissed the minister.
He then turned to his communication screens, called his fleet minister and started giving orders. “Admiral Rergh will be given command of the Alteri Front. He will take the 8th fleet with him, the Zaxxons do not require that many ships any more. Transfer the control of our nearest warp lane constructor to him, so that he can travel as fast as possible. If he needs anything else, see that he will get it.”
Grave decisions had been made. Another war had begun. Another war that he had not wanted, but was being forced to start. What would history tell of him? A ruthless warmonger bringing chaos and destruction to the galaxy? Or would they seem him as the person that he really tried to be, the one who brought peace and safety to all of the galactic population, who only fought wars to end all wars? Slowly, he turned and stared out of the big window behind his desk, into a clear moonless night, to the stars above, contemplating...