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[b]--=Around 6 Months Previously, Auriga Star System, Aktov Station, Gateway Transit Point.[/b]

The re-opening of the Gateway had come as something of a shock to the various member Republics of Auriga - particularly those in the shadow of Vastergeant. It didn't take long before history was remembered, with the first probe dispatched being practically torn to shreds upon its entry into the gateway - the response had been the redployment of Aktov Station and a constant transmission of warning through the gateway - someone had to of reactivated them, after all - as a team of scientists began to work on the problem that initially had damaged the Auriga expedition and now made the gateway a death trap.

On Auriga in Svoboda, a full convention of the various parties and influential figures of the republics had ccome to pass. Many argued to leave well enough alone, Auriga was vast and still far from exploited, with the revolution still continuing to lift up the lowest to standards of living that had far been out of reach for most of the citizens of Auriga, but it was not a widespread viewpoint. As evidence that transmissions - garbled and using codes that made even that difficult to discern, yet clearly artificial, the choice became even more clear. The gateway had to be made usable, for the safety of others if not purely for Aurigan use, at the very least, and there would no doubt be much that Auriga could do for those that were out there. Svoboda became consumed by the new opposing sides - those who would extend the friendly hand of the workers - and those who argued that our own history extensively proved that the revolution would have to be a forceful affair if it had not  already succeeded elsewhere.

These arguments remained unresolved - though the mainstream dove parties had more than enough support to quieten them as the science teams reported success. The gravitational forces of Vastergeant and the Gateway were so perfectly juxtaposed that the violent gravitational shear it caused upon transit could be ameliorated by a directed energetic pulse from Aktov Station, over time, this state could possibly become permanent, but with skill the shear could be navigated - as long as it was mapped. With its forces quitened, this other course would also be taken.

The Naval Expansion bill of the next Assembly passed with full Presidium support.

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[b]--=ADV Auriga-3, Diplomatic Shuttle, Present Day[/b]

The calming of the gateway had come with knowledge of the creation of the so called [i]"Meeting Place"[/i] - Auriga had remained aloof, distant and quiet. There was clearly a developing situation amongst the emerging powers of post-Earth mankind, and Auriga had been unsure of how to approach it. No-one had been cleared through the Gateway and only the most limited of scouting and diplomatic missions had gone ahead without much fanfare or interest except for in the supposed place of Unity, at least for now.

Auriga had secured an Office - and today was the day that they had finally dispatched a diplomatic staff, if a small one. Katrina Gupta had been chosen after a long Presidium debate that had been yet another debate between the now so called "doves" and "hawks". Gupta was firmly in neither camp, and was decidedly a compromise candidate. Not that it mattered, she was now a fully accredited Ambassador given plenipotentiary authority for the Federal People's Republics of Auriga on the station she would soon be boarding, and she was also aware she had a message to relay.

A short time later, firmly docked, boarded and ensconced in what was a spartan but decidedly recognised sovereign Aurigan "embassy" of sorts. A moment later, the Aurigan message was relayed as others had been, Katrina's distinctive Russo-Indian heritage was put to camera and became the first Aurigan many would ever see or hear.

"I am Ambassador Katrina Gupta, Appointed representative of the Federal People's Republics of Auriga to those who have come together in this Meeting Place around our shared place of origin, and to any and all beyond. On behalf of the proud and free workers of Auriga we welcome all who would greet us in peace and friendship to share in the fruits of our labour and the infinite possibilities that lay ahead of us all now we are once again free to traverse the stars as true brothers, sisters and others of humanity. On Behalf of all of Auriga, I wish you all the heights of joy, through all misfortunes."

With a smile, she let it cut out. That was that - now the real work began. It did not take much to know things were beginning, both great and terribly in equal measure. It remained to be seen where her own, and Auriga's path, lay in it all.