Deep within the solar system, not far beyond Luna's orbit, a rift roiled like a wound torn through the fabric of reality. Bright, scintillating colours poured through in throbbing waves, filling the space around it for miles around... Then the lights began to form into shapes. Grey, angular forms like the shape of old world naval vessels formed out of the nothingness, pushing through like the forefront of an explosive blast, a bubble of dozens - or hundreds - of small vessels, formed up around larger, but still relatively small forms. One by one, the ships poured out, each marked with massive numbers indicating [i]something[/i], but most notable of all, visually, were the massive holographic flags projected from the larger ships in the center. A huge, dark blue square dominated the space above them, studded with a few handfuls of shimmering golden stars in the shape of a circle, tops facing outwards.

The tumult of the fleet's arrival, however, was quickly broken by a great noise, filling unencrypted transmission channels all over the system, old feeds long-since abandoned. [youtube]https://youtu.be/Jo_-KoBiBG0[/youtube]

[hr]

The Ishtari cruiser [i]Herald of Asyris’ Burning Fury[/i] loitered beside the Sol Gateway, drifting through the black void of space. The two hundred Ishtari aboard the vessel, primarily marines and dignitaries, busied themselves as best they could during their off hours, jacking into neural virtus, sparring, writing, or anything else that could be done within the confines of a warship. [i]Why[/i] exactly the Commonality had decided to station a warship right by the Gateway when the space station of the Meeting Place was nearby - was anyone’s guess. To be the first to welcome any new arrivals was the only logic its captain could surmise. All the same, nothing yet had happened on this particular posting, and he was unsure whether or not he would prefer it stay that way. 

On the one hand, this posting was dull as could be. Stuck on a warship denied the creature comforts of a proper space station, not preparing for the coming war with the New Terrans, not doing [i]anything[/i] of value or interest. The light simulated gravity of the warship weighed strangely on his limbs and discomforted him greatly, no matter how long he spent in it. The showers were short. The recycled water tasted stale. The food was… well, the food was what was to be expected on a naval vessel. Not to mention, being the point of first contact was a daunting proposition, and not one that he particularly relished. In truth he simply wanted to complete this rotation and return to New Ishtar and begin working on something actually beneficial.

The last thing he expected was the arrival of a new vessel of unknown make or origin blaring out a loud greeting on all frequencies. A moment passed before he realized, in the back of his mind, what was happening. Hurriedly, he moved to respond. [i]”Citizens of the Federal European Union! We, the Commonality of New Ishtar, are honored to welcome you back to Sol. We would welcome you aboard the ship to speak with our representative, or would be happy to provide escort to the station around earth we have dubbed the Meeting Place if you wish to speak with the ambassador herself about matters of import.[/i]

The reply, perhaps surprisingly, came in most fluent Japanese accented by the lilting tones of continental French.... At first, anyways.

"I am ambassador Chevalier, first contact representative of the Federal European-" They paused, the voice soft, calming, and feminine. 

"Ah! Do you prefer English?" They smoothly continued, speaking it just as easily as they'd spoken Japanese.

The reply came back shortly thereafter in both English and Japanese, by her cadence and the pitch of her words, the speaker evidently startled. “Our representative is fluent in both, as well as the other old earth languages of Esperanto and German. We leave the decision to you.”

"Japanese, then." The voice replied. "It is good to see another friendly face - and here, too. We had feared that, for a while, we were the only humans that'd managed to survive, but it's good to see we were mistaken. We need no escort - but we would appreciate some directions, certainly. I hope you will not take offense to us wearing HAZMAT gear for first contact."

“None taken. Proper precautions are in order.” Came the reply, “Would you like to conduct talks on board the ship, or with the ambassador aboard the station? You are newcomers to the galaxy and… events of a troubling nature have occurred before your arrival. We wish to speak to you as quickly as possible so that you may be forewarned.”

For a brief moment, there was nothing but silence.

"Your ambassador, please. If something so dire has transpired, they you may need our official assistance."

“Nothing dire has transpired.” The Ishtari comms replied, and after a short delay, continued, “Yet. However if you are as you claim, we can only hope you too stand for liberty and the rights of all. There are those within the galaxy who would threaten them, which is why we wish to speak with you at the earliest possibility.”

"Then, with all due respect - there is little time to waste."

[hr] 

As the FEU shuttle closed in with the Meeting Place, Scheherazade waited with a small amount of anticipation for the vessel to dock. The Ishtari had staked first claim on meeting with the representative of the new arrivals, and now a small welcoming party stood in the large hangar bay of the Meeting Place, waiting for the FEU ship to dock.

The shuttle that finally arrived was...

Unusually practical in appearance, perhaps. Though emblazoned with the flag of the European Union on its wings, it had a distinctly aerodynamic shape almost like a small, stubby bomber aircraft, clearly designed for both atmospheric and space-flight. Like the larger EU vessels, it was dominated by sharp, obtuse angles too, designed to deflect radar, painted a dark space-black. The space behind it seemed to shimmer, slowly taking on the colour of the secondary airlock doors behind it.

Slowly but surely, however, the vessel slowly spun around, baring its rearward hangar bay, sleek engines joined with the relatively thick wings firing thin, cylindrical jets of plasma behind them that rapidly powered down and sputtered out before they could bring any harm.

Finally, as the craft came down and its rearward ramp lowered, out came a clear-skinned, brown-haired woman clad in a cream-orange coloured suit, apparently made of some kind of plastic, her face covered by a transparent mask. Just behind her followed a tall, spindly, chittering insect-being clad in much the same way, their helmet fitted for the unusual, almost beetle-like shape of their head, their wide body hidden behind the same orange fabric. Behind him was another apparent human, though his square-jawed, olive-tanned face bore a handful of deep, wicked scars, in contrast to the woman barely three fourths his nearly 2m height, and the insect a few heads above even him. 

Beside him were two more, one wearing a face, neither clothed in hazmat gear. The first was apparently human, clad in wheat-brown skin absent of hair, wearing a uniform of grey digital camouflage clad in medals, pulled fairly tight over plenty of muscular bulk.. On their left upper arm, the flag of the European Union - and on the other, a blue shield, etched into it in silver a model of the European continent crossed over by a pair of swords. Uniquely, without any mask, they were perhaps the only one whose eye colour could be clearly made out, while opposite to them hovered a buzzing swarm of grey, palm-sized drones, their rapid buzzing transforming into a low, pleasant thrum as they slowed, as if to stand at attention.

"Our greeting party, I hope?" The woman at the head of the group chirped, offering a warm, disarming smile. "I'll have to ask you excuse our hazmat gear - it's standard protocol to prevent unwanted spread of disease. For your safety, and for ours."

A muted murmur of discussion erupted amongst the assembled Ishtari at the sight of the newcomers. They were, certainly, not what had been expected for a nation proclaiming itself to be the continuation of the European Union of old earth. No hostility or displeasure was felt or shown - but rather surprise and interest. Perhaps these FEU might prove friends after all. The leader of the Ishtari greeting party stepped forward, offering her own warm smile and an outstretched hand of greeting. The glowing tail-like tendrils that hovered behind her were held down low, and her entourage was comprised primarily of Azazel and Sanguine Strain, in hopes of not overwhelming the newcomers with what the Ishtari had come to learn were their highly unusual appearances.

“Welcome to the Meeting Place, and let me be the first to properly welcome you to the galaxy at large. I am Sister-Sage 8-192 Scheherazade Dreams Of Many Great Things, speaker for the Commonality of New Ishtar aboard this station.”  Her words carried a subtle oddness, common to all Ishtari speaking the languages of old earth - two sets of vocal cords attempting the same tone, but ever so slightly off from one another. She smiled at the newcomers as though utterly oblivious to her own starkly alien appearance. “May I have the honor of knowing your name?”

"Rachelle Livrémont, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs," she explained. "Admiral Ibrahim Briganto, First Admiral of the Eurocorps Navy," she said, gesturing to the grizzled, dark-haired man,"Vikachikitch, representative of the First Nations of Trappist 1e," they gestured to the insectoid, then the sole unprotected human, "Commandant Lieré  Amenábar, 13th Dragoon Regiment, and finally..." they said, pointing toward the softly buzzing swarm of metal. "Captain Copernicus, 13th Dragoon Regiment."

Scheherazade inclined her head in a respectful, formal nod to each of the FEU delegates in turn. “An honor to meet you all. Thank for you taking the time to speak with us first.” She nodded to her escort, “If you permit, I would escort you to our section of the station where we may speak more comfortably.”

"Of course!" Rachelle replied. "Lead the way."

Scheherazade nodded to them once again before turning sharply and marching off, the guards falling in beside her and behind the FEU delegation. Though the initial greeting party had been chosen for as close to a natural human appearance as possible, the facade dropped the moment the group entered the Ishtari section. All manner of Ishtari Strains - Azazel, Tiamat, Gorgon, Shinchu, Sanguine, even Homonculus and some of the lesser known Strains busied themselves throughout the crowded hallways of an enormous addition to the station. The vast module had been constructed over the period of six months that had ensued since the first reopening of the Gateways. Housing many purely functional features, it also stood as a massive statement of the prowess and promise of perhaps the most alien and unusual of the human descendents. It not only showed their immense capabilities - but much of it was open to all. 

Not only did it include a diplomatic wing, fully furnished in the finest decor and design conceivable by the Commonality, sleeping quarters for what was projected to some day be a vast staff, and the other expected amenities - it had been modified to address numerous shortcomings, or add what the Ishtari saw as overlooked necessities to life aboard the station. A vast, fully furnished hospital wing outfitted with the finest equipment to hand, built to handle the anticipated growth of the station from humanity’s many far flung descendents. A bar - of all things - stocked with a vast supply of drinks, varieties for consumption both by Perfected and by normal humans. It would be free for all to visit and enjoy. Dueling rooms and recreational halls - private, sectioned off rooms that could just as easily accommodate two people or two dozen for nearly any conceivable indoor pastime. Quiet rooms for meditation. A vast docking area, complete with repair shipyards and ship berths. A troop barracks. Well fortified railgun batteries located away from critical infrastructure, their weapons presently powered down and unmanned. Hydroponic agricultural bays growing a wide variety of Ishtari crops, estimated to be able to keep well over twice the number of the planned full Ishtari delegation well fed and happy - and countless more with careful rationing in case of food stresses. Dedicated embassy spaces not only for those nations that had already been discovered, but for those that had yet to find their ways home. Fully sealed, each delegate would be given full leeway over the room to search it for any suspected monitoring devices - they would find none, for there were none to be found. EMP hardened life support rooms with ample preserved rations and airlocked passages to the hydroponics sections. A grand dining hall capable of accommodating an untold number of guests overlooked perhaps its most stunning feature.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/UcWrKjt.gif[/img][/center]

At the heart of this module lay an enormous artificial garden and synthetic ecosystem - a straight line from its main entrance to the wondrous scene. Directly descended from the gardening styles of old Japan, the main feature of the garden were the carefully sculpted gene-modified sakura blossoms, retaining in bloom for the entire year. The orchard in its entirety was a demonstration of the elegance and mastery of bioengineering held by Ishtari society. Over twenty hectares of perfectly crafted splendor. Private, secluded groves for quiet meditation abounded, as well as common areas around artificial streams or within the small traditional constructed Japanese wooden structure built within. A carefully crafted synthetic horizon maintained an almost perfect illusion of being planetside - nestled within a valley in the beautiful Ilyait Mountains on New Ishtar. A light, warm breeze blew through the garden without end, carrying with it the scent of cherry blossoms and the feeling of spring on old earth. The gardens were open to all on the station, and carefully maintained by many of the same gardeners who had crafted it. The entire arrangement was a show not only of beauty to be appreciated by those whose duty placed them within the steel walls of the station, but of power. How many nations could rival such an accomplishment? 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/kjPlLTK.gif[/img][/center]

Scheherazade lead them to a secluded spot within the garden, within a small building that appeared to be constructed from traditional materials of old earth on the exterior. As she placed her hand upon a discretely hidden sensor and entered the interior, it revealed itself to be a modern, sealed room evidently designed with diplomacy in mind. She turned to the group and spread her arms wide, smiling. “Now we may speak in private.”

"Good," Rachelle said, gently dipping her head. "While I'm sure our peoples would enjoy intermingling, I gather that, by the seriousness of how we were greeted, there are sensitive matters to discuss. I should inform you, then, that while I am acting in an ambassadorial capacity for my people, I am not qualified to make foreign policy decisions beyond a few limited cases... Which we can discuss as they become relevant. Gathering by what we've been told, however..." Rachelle paused, furrowing her brow. "It seems time is of the essence, yet?"

Scheherazade nodded - secretly surprised by the general lack of reaction by the FEU delegation to the Ishtari they had witnessed or to the garden. “To an extent, yes. We simply wish to inform you and… pre-empt any misinformation about us that other nations may seek to present.” She sighed, “I will not waste your time - there exists a nation known as the People’s Republic of New Terra. An imperialist, human-supremacist power that has already subjugated other species within its home system. We have received intelligence from a resistance operative, and confirmed via observation probe, all findings contained within.” She extended a hand filled with a simple folder containing printed documents in English, alongside numerous photographs. “A digital copy is available, but as I doubt our own storage devices are compatible with yours, this should serve as an overview until we can transfer the data.” She paused, “There exist other threatening nations, prominent among them those known as the Yulzan, an aggressive nonhuman race that has subjugated a part of the system occupied by another nation. However they present less of an imminent threat.”

She sighed, “The commonality is preparing for war. We simply wish your own people be prepared as well. Despite what the others may say about us we are no monsters.”

"Fortunately..." Rachelle began, taking the folder and handing it off to the man behind her. "We're ready. Admiral?"

Immediately, Ibrahim stepped forward, hands clasped together behind his back. "That's correct. In anticipation of a hostile presence on the other side of our gateway terminus, we initiated mobilization of the Eurocorps. Currently, that only amounts to approximately thirty percent of our available forces - what your people say exist the gateway nexus -, but we could have most of our armed forces ready for combat in two weeks, the entirety in twenty-four Earth days, give or take a few."

Rachelle nodded, fixing her expression into a dour glare. "If this people are truly as disgusting as you said, then their very existence as a nation state threatens ours. A prompt response, then, is absolutely necessary and automatically authorized."

"Arming and preparation of our antimatter stockpiles will take a bit more time, however..." The Admiral briefly interrupted, a deep frown etched into his face. "But if the threat is sufficiently dire then their limited use is likely to be authorized."

Scheherazade’s expression shifted to one of genuine surprise, then concern. “I– I believe there must be some miscommunication. Our observations indicate this war will be a long, drawn out affair.” She steepled her fingers, looking at the FEU delegates across from her. “I cannot share exactly when it will commence, but we are in the final stages of preparation for a strike against this foe. We have mobilized for full scale planetary conflict and anticipate massive attrition. I wish to impress upon you the magnitude of the conflict soon to be at hand.”

"With all due respect," the Admiral replied, "that does not mean we should not - or cannot - take this opportunity to probe the enemy's defenses. Engage in harassing assaults, or, at the absolute least, prepare the defenses of our allies," he explained. "Our gate is quite literally surrounded by guns, all pointing directly at it. We imagine not everyone else's is."

“Certainly!” Replied Scheherazade, “However we wish to not to be engaged in a protracted, drawn out conflict without adequate preparation. We have been conducting reconnaissance missions routinely along with planning meetings with the other nations for joint cooperation against the threat.” She cleared her throat. “And, on that subject… some of our contemporaries are… less than friendly towards us, I would ask you tell us about yourselves and… what you think of us, so far.” 

“Of course. Our intent with this task force is, crucially, to deny the enemy the opportunity to prepare,” the Admiral nodded, offering a grim nod. “To damage their production capacity. DIsrupt their logistics. Jam communications. We intend to keep them on the back foot from day one to the best of our ability.”

“As for what we think of you,” Rachelle interrupted. “You seem like good people. You show adequate concern for the violence of racists and authoritarians. If you show the same concern for the lives and happiness of all your people - and the natural environment - then I don’t foresee any issues.”

As the representatives spoke, the Ishtari Commonality sounded its approval of these words. These FEU, whatever their legitimacy, seemed to speak as true heaven-sent friends among the stars. Allies against an uncaring void. Scheherazade nodded. “We are glad to hear that, all of us, truly. Unfortunately there are numerous other nations who do… not share such an outlook shall we say. There are numerous nations who oppose us and the principles you speak of. Azulvista principle among them. We simply wish to… pre-empt what they might say to try to sway you.”

"Azulvista?" Rachelle quirked an eyebrow, briefly glancing behind her as the Commandant visibly bristled. "That name sounds distinctly Spanish in origin. They haven't yet laid claim to the Iberian peninsula, have they?"

“To my knowledge, none have laid official claim upon regions of old earth as of yet.” Scheherazade replied smoothly, “There are… certainly aspirations towards such, but we have yet to make large organized expeditions to the surface. We believe it to be mainly due to competing interests and the wish to avoid exposing significant resources in a venture that might be blocked by other nations. Nobody wants to waste valuable material in such an endeavor only to lose it.” 

Scheherazade sighed. “However you are correct to the best of our knowledge. They originate [i]primarily[/i] from the old earth nations of Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and Portugal. They wish to re-establish some control over those territories.” She steepled her fingers, “Disagree though we might on a great many things - and we do disagree [i]strongly[/i] - they too are preparing for war with the foe we face.”

"*Yet*. Interesting..." She replied, bringing a hand up to cup her chin. "We can begin evaluating the planet for terraforming, at least, though the presence of the fascists will almost certainly forestall substantial terraforming efforts -- on top of the necessity of ensuring that there are not already thinking beings there that our terraforming operations would disrupt. Those sorts of scans will take an [i]extraordinarily[/i] long time, after all, since we'll be surveying both above and below-ground areas where people could possibly survive."

Scheherazade nodded. “Correct, most of our efforts have been in preparing for the coming war. Expeditions to the surface, while certainly desired by many, must be postponed while we ready ourselves to weather the storm that is to come. Surveying the old world, and laying our claims to it, will have to wait for another day.”

A moment of silence passed before Scheherazade spoke again, “There is another matter - allies of ours, known as the Chosen. They are… well, there are reasons for our alliance that are best kept secret for now I think. They, at present, are a theocracy based around the worship of a mortal woman from earth named Ashevelen. I wish to implore you ahead of time to understand that we, and forces within them, are working tirelessly to ensure the situation rights itself.” 

Rachelle raised an eyebrow in apparently confusion, the members of her entourage glancing (those that had eyes, anyways) toward each other in confusion. 

"With all due respect," Rachelle sighed, narrowing her brows in visible frustration. "We do understand the need for diplomatic secrecy, yes, and we'll respect that -- but I hope you're not asking us to simply ignore their failings and provide them military aid and cooperation in a state that sounds to be, frankly, completely unacceptable." Rachelle said, shaking her head. "We can revisit that if -- and only if -- they fix the situation they're in. Until then, they get nothing but humanitarian aid, and I do mean **nothing** but. We made the mistake of going easy on theocrats before, and we are *not* going to do it again."

“Nothing of the sort.” Scheherazade said, rushing to rectify the situation before it spiraled out of her control. “We simply ask for your patience while we work on resolving the matter. We, ourselves, would not partner with them were we not assured reform is underway. I… let me ask you this, are you familiar with the Iwasaki Group of old earth?”

"I am, yes." Rachelle replied.

“Tiamat, the woman largely responsible for our survival, was on earth known as Tatiana Iwasaki, a member of a small branch of the family that owned the conglomerate. I do not know how complete your records of old earth are, but she had an adopted sister by the name of Doctor Ashevelen Chiritescu, citizen of Romania. Both are, at present, still alive within our respective nations. Our Tiamat met with Ashevelen upon first contact and establitshed the alliance, and the two are working to reform the… [i]many[/i] problems within her society. We do not ask you to like the Chosen as they are - neither do we. We simply ask your patience.”

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're asking of us?"

Scherhazade frowned, “I suppose what I am asking is for your patience with [i]us[/i] and your willingness to stand alongside us against the oligarchies and autocracies that keep their people bound in subservience and often see us as subhumans not deserving of rights? Our peoples seem to have much in common, I would not want it spoilt by the matter of the Chosen, and Ashevelen’s errors in creating them.”

"Patience, yes, but we do not make blind commitments," Rachelle said, offering a small smile. "Except to destroy fascism wherever it stands."

Scheherazade smiled back. “We can work with that. We can definitely work with that.”