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[b]-Vostok Cosmodrome-[/b]

"...ultimately all the information we have is that an explosion has occurred in the Orbital Command station of the Empire causing massive damages. I will not speak of what I think the cause is as no doubt a statement will be made shortly."

All around the journalists and the base commander of the Cosmodrome, cosmonauts and technicians rushed around for emergency launches as several shuttles were lined up on 3 pads to be launched one after the other. Behind them, a deafening sound rumbled in the distance as the first 3 launches were made and the others prepared to follow.

"But commander, can you confirm this launch has been authorized by the central Directorate and the Holder? Don't these launches cost billions of-"

This was the core of the problem, wasn't it? The people wonder why they should waste their money on imperial lives. Because the whole thing was a decoy, a plot to steal Imperial tech and leave like bandits, but he couldn't tell that to the world, but he had been prepared on how to spin that story.

"Ladies and gentlemen, yes, these launches have been authorized, but I will remark that the moment news of the event came to us, we were ready to begin a recovery operation. What you are asking is should we have gone ahead with this? Would the Empire have done the same for us? No. They would not as they could have done so when the ORBiT program lit up the sky and they left our brave cosmonauts to die. But we are not the Empire. Mercy and grace toward strangers, even if they do not share our ideals, especially if they do not share our ideals, are the corner stone of democracy. It is not because someone doesn't think the way I do that if they are in danger I will not do my utmost to save them."

The journalist opened her mouth to talk but closed it for a moment of silence. She didn't want to look like a heartless bitch in front of the nation.

"Of course commander. Studios, there you have it. Back to you as I remain here as the situation develops."

[b]-Low Mondal Orbit-[/b]

Kalista blinked to get the sweat off her eyelashes (stupid Mark II helmet without dehumidifiers) as she entered final approach to her location. What used to be the Cindorayi Orbital Command station.

"This is Vestal-1 to base, we are in view of the site. Where are the first responders?"

"This is Base. You're it."

Kalista opened her eyes wide. She was it?! There was an emergency launch minutes ago sure and the orbit was closer to Veluca's influence, but didn't they have any contingencies in place for events like these? Of course they didn't. The Cindorayi and everyone else on Mondal could point and laugh at the Kobold's failures all they wanted, but the kobolds had learned from their failures every time. Not just how to stride forward in multiple fields of science, but they had also established a tried and tested set of procedures in case of disaster.

The Cindorari? That was their first taste of terror, of epic failure. The reptile sunk in her seat, now doubting they'd find much people alive, if any. Good, her 'extra passengers' wouldn't be such a bother then. Behind her in the recovery bay that should be empty save for the bare minimum rescue crew and their tools was a vessel, an advanced recovery vehicle along with a crew to man it. But this wasn't meant to recover people, but things. This devastation was a wealth of resource to exploit! Sure the gap with the Empire was closing, but it was never fast enough and this would no doubt help greatly.

"This is Vestal-1, begining recovery operations." 

The shuttle opened its bay doors after being decompressed to let out the workers do their grim tasks. All around them, bodies and mangled metal, the failure of a nation, the beginning of something.

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[b]-Kharok's Orbit-[/b]

"As we stand on the edge of the cosmos, we look onward to a better future."

Cosmonaut Mastrix Nobilis thus sat foot on Liberty.

Liberty
Equality
Fraternity
Justice
Compassion
Industry
Vision

The seven moons of Kharok (Or Unity, as it was publicly renamed by the kobolds) were thus named and the Edge Expedition finalized its tour of the local Unitan moon system during which they'd land on and collect data on the seven objects as well as take pictures of the gas giant. The landscape could be better looking though, the sun was so far away, the gas giant that should be spectacular was only dimly lit, making for a rather... dead scene.

"And its in the box!" 

From where Mastrix had come, dozens of people jumped down to work with the limited amount of air they had. They had to explore the moon and gather enough ice to make it back home after all. Still, it was annoying that this video of their achievement couldn't be sent back yet. With the Orbital command exploding, this would have to wait until a few days to make sure they didn't steal the interest of the world from this great event. Just for propaganda concerns, official logs would thus state that the expedition landed 3 days from now. Silly, but democracy could use the attention of the world to steal the sunlight of imperialism.

Then again, Mastrix knew the Orbital Command exploded, but not of the democratic rebellion behind it.

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[b]-Velucan Central Administrative Building #01, Capital City-[/b]

Being part of the Directorate gave the top members certain, aherm, amenities. And being part of a young nation in a country without grand history allowed said amenities to be in luxurious penthouses at the top of sky scrappers rather than in stuffy old buildings. The Holder of Power and supreme leader of the Union, Vermillion Cray, looked down on the city bellow the clouds, confident that the windows didn't allow anyone to see or spy inside the building.

"Aaaaaand you now owe me a beer mister Drachma." 

Behind him, Mister Drachma CEO of Drachma Heavy Industries played pool with General Tannhauser from Strategy while General Breks from Space and Yul from Technical looked with little interests.

"I guess I'll pay it with the money from the colonial contracts now that imperial dominion over space just got nuked." 

Said Drachma. The others laughed casually about this tragedy. Cray did the same, because here was not a tragedy, but an opportunity! The Holder turned around to face his subordinates. Not that he ordered them around though, this was pretty much a democratic council. Not officially of course, but each person in this room was there because the others around him formed a small clique that controlled the essentials of the state apparatus. They had been promoting one another to positions of power for years now and finally, they were in control.

"Lets not sell the skin of the bear before we even killed it. And what a bear this is." 

Said Cray, approaching the table. 

"We have cosmonauts helping them, I have no idea what will come out of that, but we need to decide our stance in the matter. Obviously, democracy is good, blah blah blah, so I'll give a little call to the new player on the... solar stage. Only question is how to milk this for all its worth. I'm thinking of course we get as many shuttles on stand by as possible but we might want to get a show of force going. Flex our muscles enough for the Emperor to remember we're there, but not enough to rile up the war fever under the surface of people's mind."

The people in the room nodded in agreement but the gaunt Yul who pushed up his eyeglasses. 

"Soon, but not now. We might want to throw this... PRC under the bus if they're unworkable. We spent so much time sucking up to the Empire and playing nice, it would be a shame if we threw all that out for 'Ideology' or some other silly nonsense." 

Cray rolled his eyes. Of course it wasn't a matter of democracy or authoritarianism, it was just 'Kobold before everyone else', but Yul seemed to despise democracy more than all the others in the room.

"Of course. Now give me that cue, I'll show you how its done."

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[quote]To: Sahrova Verasha
From: Vermillion Cray
Subject: Independence

Greetings.

You were magnificent! Forgive my bluntness, but I always deeply regretted the weakness of the message my predecessors gave at the independence of Veluca and I am proud to witness something that will do magnificently echo in the halls of time!

Pleasantries aside though, be certain the Union of Veluca recognizes your independence as well as sovereignty over at least the continent your new nation is located on, further details can be settled in a more official communication than a secret message as this.

Though I once again you will forgive my bluntness, as kobolds have a very short lifespan we have little time to waste. In reality, our position is very precarious. You have distance in your favor, but your industrial output I will presume, is nowhere near what would be needed to face the Empire if it is allowed the time to build a fleet powerful enough to overwhelm your defenses. We could help you with that. As the Empire did before, there could be a gate keeper to space preventing its militarization, though one who makes the laws of space based on democratic votes rather than the whims of hereditary nobles.

We have the industrial might and the launch capacity to set up the frame work of something great today! But what we lack is the know how. As a show of good will, I would like you to share fusion with the world! On all broadcasts, on the internet! Free and plentiful power to the masses of the world as a gift from democracy to all races. On a more intimate matter between our two countries, while this would make our plan possible, it would still be a long shot. Our laser technologies are years behind that of the Empire and asking for this I know, is a much more delicate matter than asking for a way to universally make life better for everyone.

The matter of war and violence may not be avoided and I understand that when facing an uncertain future, giving out one of the rare advantage you have may seem daunting, but I must ask for your trust, now as a friend and maybe later as a sister in arms.

To close this, with this message are a set of encrypted bank accounts accessible from the Empire with two billion crowns in them. It is unconditional to weather or not you accept our suggestions. These were set up during the Void war to support covert operations but it is my opinion that they'll be more beneficial to someone attempting to change things than to those who merely wish to destroy an enemy. I hope this money will serve you well.

Signed
Vermillion Cray, Holder of Power of the Union of Veluca.[/quote]

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[b]-Somewhere, in orbit...-[/b]

"Well, well well..."

The agent was a technical specialist from intelligence, not a cosmonaut. Everything felt weird in the darkness of a blown up compartment of the Command Station. But he had found something. A data bank, intact. He'd get a promotion for that.