Another MonkeyZell Collab, [img]http://i.imgur.com/FOtkqY3.png[/img] [color=yellow][center][h1]The Dominion Of Man[/h1][/center][/color] Dominion Space, On Board James's Personal Titan-Class Ship “Rebirth” As James stood on bridge staring out into the blankness of space he wondered. It had taken 10 years under Faust to conquer this small part of the galaxy. Granted it start from nothing and is now one of the most stable and richest factions in the post Imperium Era. Yet never the less the other factions have grown complacent under their new leaders and maybe harder to reclaim the galaxy then previously thought. His thoughts were interrupted when Admiral Luke Garner arrived on the bridge looking wearily from being under the command of the Executis. "Sir, the fleet is prepared to move. Though isn't this a bit much for just a mission of Diplomacy." James chuckled before turning around to face the admiral. "You believe this to be a Diplomatic mission? You are young and foolish as I suspected. But this is what happens when we have rich imperialist Humans. Come with me." James said as he began to walk into the bridge's headquarters with a map of Dominion. James then called upon Captain Nathanial Fren, who commanded the titan directly under James and had served with the Executis for nearly 7 years. "Captain, would you please inform the Admiral as to what is going to happen once we reach the edge of Dominion Space." The Captain nodded He then began to layout the plan 400 ships Under the Command of the Admiral would break off from the Titan right on the edge of Dominion space they would then head to Sol but wait just outside of any sensors that there might be waiting for the Executis orders. Meanwhile James would lead his small fleet to meet with Uther and discuss his plans. Either out come Sol would join the Dominion the difference is how many Remnant men would need to die. With that the Admiral nodded and began to brief his commanders on their next objective. James returned to the bridge main area and looked over the deck hands most of whom he had served with for many years now. He looked out into the stars as the ships began making their jumps. ----------- Core Imperium Capitol world, Astrion. Sirius star system. [img]http://api.ning.com/files/Gmh9-f0ghDSYCsVW2miatJXLTsTAXTAQl1HObPj2RlFIs2emOrmcp-E7OQX4qLSN6eCZNBuEZUVv4NoMFuva0DpleNtur0eL/Battlestar_Valkyrie_The_Plan.png[/img] The First thing one would see when approaching Astrion is the pale blue planet, rivaling earth in superficial beauty. Beyond this beauty would be revealed the reality of this world, a place built for war. Massive space stations with guns visible from far away fill the sky while the nine moons of this planet sit various lunar bases hold ships of all sizes. At the lead of this armada is the Orion, a massive Sol class Battleship, commanded by none other than the grand marshall, Uther Eddion. Ahead of James Conrads battlegroup came a simple warning, dare not cause aggression or destruction would follow suit. It was a simple request that the Dominion was more than happy to oblige, given the severity of the situation. Imperium Trident fighters approached the Dominion fleet to escort them into communications range. "I'll go ahead and skip any pleasentries.. I am Uther of the Imperium. At the behest of your... 'Archon' I have agreed to this meeting though likely what ever your goals are, I will decline. Your group has caused enough problems to warrent my hesitation." A deep breath followed suit, "Just don't waste my time." "Grand Marshall, this is far to unformal." James said with a smile "Two powerful men such as ourselves should speak to each other in person, just as the old days they would have. Shall I order my crew to expect you or perhaps you would prefer if I joined you on your lovely battlecrusier instead?" James stood there and crossed his arms waiting for a reply. Uther stared at the Titan that was slowly approaching. He rubbed his chin a bit before answering. "I'd rather not mingle our ships too directly. I'll bring the Orion closer and we will meet aboard my vessel." He cut off the comms and activate the ships docking protocol, giving the Dominion clear instructions as to where to land and how large of a ship the Orion could receive. As James stepped off his transport he smiled looking around seeing the Imperium soldiers. Many were as old as Uther but not as bold nor as energtic. Others were far to young much like Admiral Luke. The Remnant was scarpping the bottom of the barrel. He had his men stay and guard the transport while he alone followed two soldiers up to Orions bridge to meet with Uther. He put out his arm to shake and waited for Uther. Uther never rose his hands, but merely brushed by James and motioned towards a conference room. "In here we will talk about what you believe you will get." James nodded and followed behind him. As the group entered the room and took their seats, Uther scowled at James, never saying a word. Instead, his aide pointed at the center of the table which rose to represent a holographic image. Uther then spoke up, "You see this?" he said, pointing to a number of stars on the Dominion and Imperium border. "Billions dead. Yes, your media portrays it as a neccessary action to get the galaxy back to stability.. how does one justify that?! It's not entire families... nor entire nations... but entire races that have been wiped from the galaxy. Quite literally extinctions for some races." James nodded "Uther, perhaps you forgot the stories in your old age. But when the Emperor first fell it was claimed to be an alien. But not only that Alien systems were the first to rebel. This is merely Faust's revenge against his grandfather's death. Also don't let the media fool you, most aliens we allow to live and work for us. They all serve a part and even should they begin to die we have master cryogenics which may one allow us to clone these beings back into exsitence." James said before looking back to Uther. Uther shook his had, "You're kidding me.. Using cryogenics to revive a race. It's not the same in any-" His Aide touched his shoulder. "Bah.." Uther said with frustration. "I had agreed to hear Fausts proposal and even though I do not agree or recognize his claim, I will hear it to honor my words. Lets hear what the vicious xenophobic prick from the wastes has to say." "Uther, I'm one of the least xenophobic's within the entire Dominion and you would be wise to remember that. As for why I was sent to treat with you, Faust wishes to claim Sol, however as it belongs in your terrority at least technically. He wanted permission so that it wouldn't be seen as an act of war between two nations that are trying to claim the same thing the Imperium." James said looking at the aide who seemed to be nodding if not quitely and out of the sight of his commander. The room sat silent for a few moments as Uther clasped his hands on the table. He took a deep breath and shook his head. "Even with the chaos on earth, I cannot allow your group to come marching on the planet, burning every living creature that doesn't follow your twisted visions." He leaned back and sighed before looking back to James. "Uther then don't have it be something that you gave up on. Instead make it looks like compromises had to be made. Make it seem as though you gave it to us as your forces were needed against the coming threat of the barbarians and that the Second imperium required increased support." James then took a seat and leaned back looking at how much space the remnant still had and how quickly it could all be taken. Uther chuckled at James statement, trying to get him to abandon values in this time. "You would have me turn a blind eye while earth is cleansed of all life you consider inferior? Just because we face adversity does not mean we change our core beliefs. If we lose those ideals, we lose who we are and what we stand for. We will not sit idly by while innocent subjects of the true imperium are slaughtered by extremists. This we cannot, and will not allow." Uther was becoming somewhat frustrated at this point, trying to figure out the angle here but still maintaining his stance. He knew in a full blown war it could easily draw down to a stalemate if the Dominion wanted to still maintain its expansive borders. He knew earth would be a prize too grand for Faust but in his mind he knew it had potential for stability. Every day people from earth set off explosives in the few government facilities still left, even as the Imperium ships food and supplies to the wasted world. Armies from other races and private groups still wrestle for control with the belief that if they control the world, they would have leverage over all of man. That to control the world was to become the next emperor. Although this was far fetched as the Imperium could deny any claim to the throne, it was still a very big possibility. "Tell me, James. If the Dominion did choose to invade earth. what would be next? what happens after earth?" "Well, if it were through war and against that is hard to say. Though I suppose if it was just Earth, Faust would finally have a better seat for his capital, a more reasonable claim with Eath and his blood. But I suspect diplomacy would come next. Through all human channels that is. Aliens would most likely come last." James took a few moments before standing "Uther, in order to preserve the peace that has lasted between our two nations for so long. What will it take in order for the Dominion to take Earth?" James said moving closed to Uther. Uther closed his eyes for a moment, knowing he could easily use this to his advantage. "If we allow you to stabilize the Sol system, the Dominion may operate within the Sol system along side the Imperium. Earth is an Imperium world and for Faust to lay claim is acceptable although we will not recognize him as such, this meaning we will allow him limited control over half of earth with the Imperium controlling the other. There will be observers and if we believe for one moment that the Dominion is showing favor in killing 'aliens' over humans, we will intervene with full force. All non-human combatants will be afforded the same conditions as human ones. Prisoners will be treated with respect and will be sent to the Imperium. We know what your Dominion does to Prisoners." Uthers eyes held no hesitation, this was his conditions and he was well known for the old addage, it's my way or the highway. James nodded "These seem like agreeable terms. To which all parties may agree upon. If we're done perhaps we should have a toast to this soon to be friendship." With that they all took a sip of (drink insert) and James quickly left to report to the fleets objective as well as to report to Faust. As the Dominion ships left, Uther quietly stood infront of a massive window towards Astrion. He was conflicted at this point, Did he just deliver the Imperium into Faust's hands? But before he could conclude, one of his chief captains slowly took a place next to him. "Beautiful, isn't it Uther." His comment garnered no response from the conflicted man. "Sir, I am puzzled, why would we let something as vicious as the Dominion take earth from us?" Uther smiled as his conflict was finally over, an epiphany drummed resolve. "Earth as we knew it does not exist, it is blasted and sacked by years of unrestricted warfare. The hellish landscape is nearly unrecognizable from the grand paintains and portraits of the past. No, This Earth was never ours. But with Faust's unknowing help, it soon will be." [hider=what almost was] Every day people from earth set off explosives in the few government facilities still left, even as the Imperium ships food and supplies to the wasted world. Armies from other races and private groups still wrestle for control with the belief that if they control the world, they would have leverage over all of man. That to control the world was to become the next emperor. Although this was far fetched as the Imperium could deny any claim to the throne, it was still a very big possibility. "Tell me, James. If the Dominion did choose to invade earth. what would be next? what happens after earth?" "Well, if it were through war and against that is hard to say. Though I suppose if it was just Earth, Faust would finally have a better seat for his capital, a more reasonable claim with Eath and his blood. But I suspect diplomacy would come next. Through all human channels that is. Aliens would most likely come last."James then took a few moments before continueing. "Uther you ideals of the Imperium are as old as you. The dominion requires younger blood and stronger defense. On the way up I know your group is low on manpower and how daily new ships from you faction join the Dominion. You wouldn't last in open war. I came out of respect but that fleet was 500 strong when it left dominion space it is now 100 ships. You will either give Earth willingly or it can be taken by force. In either situation Sol joins the Dominion the question is will the Remnant. Now I require your answer. Enough with the pleasantries." Uther sharpened his gaze at James and gave a nod. "Obviously you've made your decision regarding the situation. Your reasoning is absurd and will only cause the death of trillions. You can get off my ship and take your fleet with you. If you choose to come here with threats, I will only respond in kind." He stood up and leaned towards James, "If you send even one man to earth, it will be war." He then stood upright and pointed at the door. The Imperium Guards in the room aimed their guns with the leading one speaking softly, "Time for you to leave." At this point, Uther removed himself from the room as the guards escorted James to his ship. Out of respect they repeated the docking codes for a safe departure from the Orion and once James vessel was away, the Orion fell back into the now mobilizing defensive line of the Imperium. It would be clear to James and any other leader that Uther wasn't playing around with his toys. Especially when James's commanders were reporting Imperium weapons actively targetting everywhere on the Dominion ships. Once James returned to the fleet he gave orders to the Admiral to attack Sol and for the rest of his fleet to return to earth. The Titan would remain here. James requested each of the Imperium's ships to open comms save the Orion. Sadly, the messages fell on deaf ears as Uther had already issued orders for a block on communications and to James surprise, an open channel for each captain to hear the Dominions plea. The actions had only emboldened the Imperium remnants that had a very sizable force in not only the Sirius system but Sol itself. It would be a dark day for the Dominion fleet when it reached sol as more than a thousand ships stood ready now. Ready to fire immediately upon any Dominion ship entering Sol, the still beating heart of humanity.. [/hider]