Gerlando

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War [Moved to New Thread]

Collab between @Conscripts and @Gerlando

10IQ conversation

Ah, he had a tinge that he had seen her somewhere, but where though. Knowing the integral part of Noble Arms users nowadays, naturally he had worked with many, directly or indirectly. Unfortunately only the direct ones he would remember the most, and the girl sitting right next to him didn't ring a bell.

"Yeah I figure." Cuong replied with a satisfied smile. "Must have been Lao Cai right?" He remembered having a sortie there at the border and got quite some air support from Noble Arms users on the ground. "Or Hanoi?"

The girl considered for a moment, Lao Cai, wasn't that against the inland invasion?

"No, me Hai Phong then Hanoi."
She remembered being sent near the coast to give time for the evacuation in Hai Phong, it wasn't the first time the chinese tried landing, although that time they were definitely more successful.

"Oh Hai Phong, that was a bad one." Cuong nodded, remembering the grim news that came out of the coastal city, every day the Chinese edged closer and gaining ground through their 'shells over strategy' doctrine. If she had been there she had seen some serious stuff.

"Maybe it is Hanoi." He scratched his chin a little. It would likely be at the government ceremony where they would be awarded for their assistance in the defence of the motherland. But she did say she had seen him with a pretty definite tone, so she probably knew better than his garbage memory.

"I gave up, where did you see me?"

Nil was now confused, seen him? Did she see him before? Did he ask that earlier and she didn't realise?
"I don't know." she answered to both the vietnamese man and her own questions.

"You were in Hanoi, in the sky?" Nil remembered how many planes flew over the city and how often planes sortied out even once the main assault was stopped during the short time she was relocated to the Gia Lam Airport, apparently it was meant to become a fully civilian airport but the war halted such plans.

"You don-“ Cuong perched his head back. Now he’s confused. Has she seen him or not? Has he seen her or not? Has anyone seen anyone?

"Yes, I flew in the Hanoi sky, many times.” He replied. "I’m actually from there, but I doubt people are as memorable as planes.” Especially when Cuong doesn’t look particularly standout among his peer. And he also has a tinge that she didn’t really understand him. But he naively and somewhat awkwardly continued

"You remember seeing this face anywhere?” He pointed and created a square around his face, as a frame of sort.

"Uhh, I don't, think, so." she said, with small pauses between her words.
Had they seen each other, Nil knew she forgets people often, maybe he remembers her from Hanoi?

Sounds like she didn't know him after all. He was indeed bamboozled by her first definite response. Guess headphone culture was just that damaging to someone's psyche.

"I don't remember you either. But you're giving me...umm..." He snapped his fingers several times, recalling what's that word in English. "Dejavu." He now also naively assumed she knew what that word means. Hey, her English sounds good enough to him.

"You're Noble Arms user right?" He asked. "What is it, if you don't mind me asking."

Dejavu?, Nil didn't exactly remember what this word meant, it wasn't used too commonly, but apparently she was giving him this... something, that's probably a good thing isn't it?
Despite this conversation being more on the awkward side, Nil wasn't too bothered, if not a bit confused.

"Oh? There is Stang!" she said hearing the man mention her noble arm, something new to say, manifesting the light-blue staff and then resting on it.

"This is Stang and I am Nil" finally she had realised they didn't introduce each other yet.

"Ah, a pleasure to meet you Nil." Cuong inclined his head, "...And Stang. It's the staff right?"

He was a bit unsure if this Noble Arm was the staff or some sort of familiar. "What does Stang do exactly?"

Nil nodded when asked about her Noble Arm.

"Stang can do stang thing like..."
For a moment she considered throwing Stang for demonstration but stopped for a second realising it would probably create too much damage.

"...Oh, like this."
in less than a second another staff materialised from the same light blue energy of the Noble Arm, creating an identical copy of the staff, this one levitating slightly as Nil didn't know where to keep it.

"Oh, another Stang I see." Now his curiosity's piqued. "What do you call this new Stang? Sting, or Stonk?"

The question confused Nil, Stang was... a stang, and other stangs were still stangs, but what was a sting or stonk? Stang wasn't a sting or stonk, it was a stang.

"It's... uh, a stang."

"It's just stang?" Cuong too was confused now. "How can you tell which stang is the original Stang then? Ya know, like if you have twins, how do you distinguish them?"

That was a good question, maybe too good as Nil didn't have an answer for it.
"Uhhh..." was all that came out of her mouth as she had no idea what to answer.

Cuong's head promptly dropped to the side. 'Welp...' He figured that was as far as he could get. Though from first impression when he saw this white-haired girl, she really seemed quite an enigmatic loner. He probably should have expected this to begin with, but hey, at least he hadn't disappointed himself by asking about her age.

He awkwardly nodded and tried to let the conversation die short, but seemed like Ms. Qingshe had something she wanted to discuss with the squadron. He figured he should heed her words, being the second highest of the ranks there.

"Alright Nil, you can think for as long as you need. We can always continue the conversation once I'm on the ground again." The Vietnamese man gave her a two-fingered salute. "Best of luck."

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War [Moved to New Thread]

Briefings had never been fun, and this one wasn’t much of an exception, bored to no end Nil passed through Noel’s spiel with an impassive face and a couple slight nods, masquerading her internal panic at seeing the next mission would have a lot of water AND sand, she never hated sand but now she worried for some reason… it wasn’t very stable ground.

Apparently they were going on a, mister Jose? ah it’s a ship, Nil wasn’t sure what was worse, being on a boat or staying on a small sandy island, the latter seemed worse given the recent experience. Maybe she’ll just put on the new earmuffs and ignore the briefing for a while, better to make sure they work now than later.

Then a few different people started talking, probably discussing the briefing and other of that stuff, both the ice cream making green woman and the teleporter Callie started talking. It would be interesting to hear what they had to say, what made them worry and what made them tick, but right now Nil preferred to calm down and hey, the earmuffs worked.

More people joined in, everyone bringing in their fashion and mannerisms, or lack thereof, this Task Force would sure look like a carnival from the outside.
Then glancing to her right Nil saw a man trying to speak to her, taken a bit by surprise she looked at the man for a second, lowered her headphone-looking gear to her neck and replied.
"Yes."
despite having no clue what the original question was.

@Conscripts

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War [Moved to New Thread]

@Sniblet looks good, approval 2

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War [Moved to New Thread]

@Letter Bee seems good to me, Approval 1

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War [Moved to New Thread]

Yet another Sison Auditorium Barracks RP

collab

A lone soul wandered around the structure, desperately searching for hours upon hours, for even if they got a moment of respite she knew without what she was looking for all that fighting and death would have been for naught. Nil had gotten only two chocolate bars out of forty-four.

Indeed after so much time of looking around she had lost spirit, but even still she wandered, she could give up trying to fight a strong opponent but not trying to get sweets.

While looking around Nil saw a young boy that probably shouldn't be in a combat area, but she did recognise his face from the short post-briefing with Callie and Henri, it was one of three they were looking for.

"Nemo, Niko, Neekro..." She mistakenly said outloud as the two names fused in her head.

First Lieutenant Noel Alonso was looking for Nemo, and yes, he had a small woven basket filled with pastries and a few chocolate bars tucked under his arm. Waving hi to the both of them, the young officer said, "Soldiers; you both well?"

When the young man entered the scene Nil's attention immediately shifted, not exactly on the man himself but rather on the food-filled basket he was carrying.
"Yes, from the Royal Thai Army." she said while looking nothing like a thai.

Nemo has been sitting still, waiting for new orders from his handlers when he heard someone mention him. He looked up just in time to see the commanding officer entering and addressing him. "Yes." he replied to the older boy.

Noel then went over to both, offering Nil a chocolate bar and Nemo a powdery but sweet cookie, saying, "Would you two like to eat something sweet?"

"Yes!" Nil said ecstatic, grabbing the chocolate bar and starting to eating it right away, together with the plastic wrapper of course.

Nemo stared at the cookie for a moment. He didn't understand what was happening, and simply shook his head "no".

Looking at the younger boy Nil wondered how much of a waste it was to leave that cookie, but she didn't say anything, at least it wasn't going to waste away immediately.

What was the thing about this young boy, she thought while munching on the chocolate bar and trying to remind herself what even was his name.

Noel put the cookie back in the basket and said, "All right. So, you’re looking for anything to do? Are you bored?"

"Waiting for orders to move to the library..." Nemo replied simply.

"You have permission," Noel didn't fully understand Nemo's situation, and it showed as he added, "You don't need orders; read anything you can want in the Library; nothing there is classified."

Then he asked, "What sort of books do you like?"

Nemo tilted his head, confused. Was there not someone wanting him to go to the library? He supposed if there wasn't an order to go, then it wasn't that important.
"I don't know."

Noel's expression chilled, before he said to Nemo, "...Okay, that's not normal. Tell me how you were raised; did your parents or trainers hurt you?"

"I'm not supposed to talk about that." Nemo responded.

The conversation had suddenly become tense.
"Where even is the library?" she asked Noel, trying to nag him away from that conversation with Nemo.

Noel sighs as he remembered, "Oh, right, this place doesn't have one; this used to be an auditorium where plays and theater performances were held."

He then said to Nemo, already feeling guilt at what he was going to do, "What if I order you to talk about it?"

Nemo thought for a moment. "Standing orders like that are more important, I think."

"Standing orders from who?" was the response from Noel himself.

"The handlers." Nemo said, somewhat apprehensively. He was starting to worry about the situation.

During the ongoing conversation Nil had started to feel the tension more and more and chose to stay just out of it, slowly backing away, but still close enough to the basket to grab a couple of cookies.

Noel asked next, "Did you want to be a soldier?"

"I don't remember." The boy was definitely worried at this point.

Noel saw Nemo look worried, then sighed, "I'll leave you alone, then, if you want. For all its worth, sorry for making you uncomfortable. Also, do eat the cookie if you want; it's impolite to not eat food offered to you if it's good..."

The Age Of Rifts

Dwellers of Iffilan

Dwellers of Iffilan

Government Form:
Disunited Tribes - a true government does not yet exist, disparate tribes survive either by wandering as nomads, cultivating farmable land or a mix of the two.

Demographics:
Sand Elves - yes, elves but sandy, but seriously they are a subrace of elves that adapted to the hottest of environments, but the distance from the feywild means they have lost any previous fey abilities they may have had, moreover being used to the perennial light of their plane they are essentially blind in areas of low light.
They look mostly like your regular elves but are recognisable by amber colored eyes and particularly prominent ears (for more heat dissipation), even for an elf.

Racial Traits:
Pro: Heat Resistance - their almost unnatural resistance to extreme heat allows the sand elves to survive in otherwise unlivable environments, fire resistance NOT included.
Con: Low-light Blindness - while their amber colored eyes can’t get blinded by the incessant strong light of their plane, they are also completely useless without said strong light and make them practically blind in any low-light environment.

Population:
Stone Age: 2.000
_{No more than Normal level for the respective age because of plane traits.}

---

Plane Description:
Iffilan is a plane of perennial light, the sun is always high in the sky and its residents would never have witnessed a single night.
In the midst of the endless arid desert there is a sea, more akin to a stupidly large oasis as it is clear water and not supplied by rivers, this is called Ag’aman and is the only place adequate for building large cities and sailing on ships.
Venturing out of the Ag’aman there are many oases scattered around the desert, they are home to oasis farmers and nomads traveling from one oasis to the next.
Going further there is nothing but endless sand, illuminated by the scorching sun, this is called Tafuyhra and there is only death to be found here, not even the sand worms don’t want to venture too far into it.

Plane Traits:
Pro: Storeagable Light Magic - while a bane, the light is also a blessing in its own form, it does in fact contain a low but constant influx of magic, moreover with some knowledge this magic can be stored in objects for later use, of course it can only do light and some fire related magic.
Con: Limited Habitable Land - the desert is vast but the green patches in it are not, farmable land is scarce and thus population capacity is also limited. (can’t go over Normal)
Con: Extreme Heat - creatures not used to hot environments and perennial light will have a hard time surviving in this plane.

History:
Accounts dating to the time of the arrival are nonexistent, lost to the passing of time, the event is rumored to have happened such a long time ago that not even the sands would remember.
Even still there are countless stories on heroic figures, the origin of each clan and even events like the domestication of animals and beginning of agriculture, even if it is still limited.
But questions on the arrival and prior, well, no one has an answer for them.

Culture and Society:
The dwellers of the desert have organized themselves in various kinds of tribes, most follow a semi-nomadic or completely nomadic lifestyle, wandering across the Ag’aman or between oases and living off of meat and animal products. The semi-nomads establish temporary houses in determined areas where they farm for a set period, after which they move on to another patch of land, sometimes in a circling between their territories, the best of the farmers have decided to stay in one single place and become sedentary, selling what surplus they get to the nomads.

While there are many tribes they’re all fundamentally small and the majority are familiar in nature, forming more so clans that usually meet each other to raise children or settle feuds. Each member is thus integral to their family and the collective survival, they are thus taught to behave from a very young age.

Worship is almost exclusively towards the sun, even when speaking to other deities the sun is to always be mentioned, the sun is said to stand not only above the mortals but also above the gods, rewarding and punishing both as if they were the same.

Culture Traits:
Pro: Hospitality - while harsh to members of their same tribe, the sand elves are also incredibly welcoming to outsiders, helping them in any way they can.
Con: Divided - the tribes and clans are not at all united, forming alliances and rivalries that hardly last longer than a generation.
Con: Outcasting - it can be a gambling accident, it can be an affair with a rivaling tribe or it could be a poor choice of words, anything that angers the tribe could mean you’ll be thrown out with nothing and left to die.

---

Governance and Politics:
The tribes don’t have a unified method to decide leadership, some are led by the eldest, some are matriarchal, some are patriarchal and some go by general consensus or majority voting.

Technology and Magic:
Pro: Medium Animal Husbandry - the sand elves have become expert tamers by always traveling with a herd of animals.
Con: Very Basic Boating - there is little water in Iffilan and the tribes haven’t really spent time learning how to make boats.
Con: Very Basic Building - most sand elves spend their lives on the move and even for those who sit in one place there is little use for a tent where you can’t see inside without lighting a torch.
Con: Very Basic Agriculture - most of Iffilan isn’t arable and most Sand Elves didn’t learn how to make plants grow.

Military Overview:
Warfare between the tribes is not uncommon but usually results in no deaths, combat is in fact more a way to push other tribes away from some land or for an individual to prove their bravery. In some instances however, it may be necessary for a tribe to fight to the death.

The most common weapons are knives, clubs and staves, usually repurposed from other tools, but sometimes you can see a spear made for the job.
For ranged combat slings and javelins are common while bows tend to be harder to make and have too few uses out of combat to be worthwhile.
Protection is primarily offered by heavy clothing and, failing that, praying.

---

Additional Info: _{(Anything else you want to include that there isn't a spot for up there. Little factoids about your nation are both amusing and welcome. Include a theme song if you want)}

The Age Of Rifts

Dwellers of Iffilan

Dwellers of Iffilan

Government Form:
Disunited Tribes - a true government does not yet exist, disparate tribes survive either by wandering as nomads, cultivating farmable land or a mix of the two.

Demographics:
Sand Elves - yes, elves but sandy, but seriously they are a subrace of elves that adapted to the hottest of environments, but the distance from the feywild means they have lost any previous fey abilities they may have had, moreover being used to the perennial light of their plane they are essentially blind in areas of low light.
They look mostly like your regular elves but are recognisable by amber colored eyes and particularly prominent ears (for more heat dissipation), even for an elf.

Racial Traits:
Pro: Heat Resistance - their almost unnatural resistance to extreme heat allows the sand elves to survive in otherwise unlivable environments, fire resistance NOT included.
Con: Low-light Blindness - while their amber colored eyes can’t get blinded by the incessant strong light of their plane, they are also completely useless without said strong light and make them practically blind in any low-light environment.

Population:
Stone Age: 2.000
_{No more than Normal level for the respective age because of plane traits.}

---

Plane Description:
Iffilan is a plane of perennial light, the sun is always high in the sky and its residents would never have witnessed a single night.
In the midst of the endless arid desert there is a sea, more akin to a stupidly large oasis as it is clear water and not supplied by rivers, this is called Ag’aman and is the only place adequate for building large cities and sailing on ships.
Venturing out of the Ag’aman there are many oases scattered around the desert, they are home to oasis farmers and nomads traveling from one oasis to the next.
Going further there is nothing but endless sand, illuminated by the scorching sun, this is called Tafuyhra and there is only death to be found here, not even the sand worms don’t want to venture too far into it.

Plane Traits:
Pro: Storeagable Light Magic - while a bane, the light is also a blessing in its own form, it does in fact contain a low but constant influx of magic, moreover with some knowledge this magic can be stored in objects for later use, of course it can only do light and some fire related magic.
Con: Limited Habitable Land - the desert is vast but the green patches in it are not, farmable land is scarce and thus population capacity is also limited. (can’t go over Normal)
Con: Extreme Heat - creatures not used to hot environments and perennial light will have a hard time surviving in this plane.

History:
Accounts dating to the time of the arrival are nonexistent, lost to the passing of time, the event is rumored to have happened such a long time ago that not even the sands would remember.
Even still there are countless stories on heroic figures, the origin of each clan and even events like the domestication of animals and beginning of agriculture, even if it is still limited.
But questions on the arrival and prior, well, no one has an answer for them.

Culture and Society:
The dwellers of the desert have organized themselves in various kinds of tribes, most follow a semi-nomadic or completely nomadic lifestyle, wandering across the Ag’aman or between oases and living off of meat and animal products. The semi-nomads establish temporary houses in determined areas where they farm for a set period, after which they move on to another patch of land, sometimes in a circling between their territories, the best of the farmers have decided to stay in one single place and become sedentary, selling what surplus they get to the nomads.

While there are many tribes they’re all fundamentally small and the majority are familiar in nature, forming more so clans that usually meet each other to raise children or settle feuds. Each member is thus integral to their family and the collective survival, they are thus taught to behave from a very young age.

Worship is almost exclusively towards the sun, even when speaking to other deities the sun is to always be mentioned, the sun is said to stand not only above the mortals but also above the gods, rewarding and punishing both as if they were the same.

Culture Traits:
Pro: Hospitality - while harsh to members of their same tribe, the sand elves are also incredibly welcoming to outsiders, helping them in any way they can.
Con: Divided - the tribes and clans are not at all united, forming alliances and rivalries that hardly last longer than a generation.
Con: Outcasting - it can be a gambling accident, it can be an affair with a rivaling tribe or it could be a poor choice of words, anything that angers the tribe could mean you’ll be thrown out with nothing and left to die.

---

Governance and Politics:
The tribes don’t have a unified method to decide leadership, some are led by the eldest, some are matriarchal, some are patriarchal and some go by general consensus or majority voting.

Technology and Magic:
Pro: Medium Animal Husbandry - the sand elves have become expert tamers by always traveling with a herd of animals.
Con: Very Basic Boating - there is little water in Iffilan and the tribes haven’t really spent time learning how to make boats.
Con: Very Basic Building - most sand elves spend their lives on the move and even for those who sit in one place there is little use for a tent where you can’t see inside without lighting a torch.
Con: Very Basic Agriculture - most of Iffilan isn’t arable and most Sand Elves didn’t learn how to make plants grow.

Military Overview:
Warfare between the tribes is not uncommon but usually results in no deaths, combat is in fact more a way to push other tribes away from some land or for an individual to prove their bravery. In some instances however, it may be necessary for a tribe to fight to the death.

The most common weapons are knives, clubs and staves, usually repurposed from other tools, but sometimes you can see a spear made for the job.
For ranged combat slings and javelins are common while bows tend to be harder to make and have too few uses out of combat to be worthwhile.
Protection is primarily offered by heavy clothing and, failing that, praying.

---

Additional Info: _{(Anything else you want to include that there isn't a spot for up there. Little factoids about your nation are both amusing and welcome. Include a theme song if you want)}

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

The Meeting Place - Sol

In the system that had been the cradle of humanity, orbiting a dead planet many considered hell, that's where the meeting place is. In there a recently established embassy definitely had its work cut out for them, not even the time to finish building the main room that a war had broken out, by terrans nonetheless.

To complicate matters Hyginus had lacked the need of diplomacy for over a century and new untrained ambassadors had been sent to the meeting place, but slowly as inexperienced diplomats went to and from foreign embassies more and more questions would find answers. Where are the Terrans? Who did they attack? Do they have any allies? What is their military capable of?

When enough information had been gathered and the vetuste fleet finally prepared for new action, it had come the time for the official declaration of war, no one doubted this time would come, it would just be a matter of when and how.

Ortiz was considering how to rewrite parts of the official declaration before sending it out to the rest of the meeting place, he had been moved to being a diplomat after showing at least some skill at the job, which was enough to make him a senior diplomat among the mass of his inept colleagues. He decided it would be best to remove a few phrases so to make sure it wouldn't anger other nations that also had earthen names.

Now it was time for him to send the message.

Declaration of War on the People's Union of New Terra

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE EMBASSY OF THE HYGINIAN FEDERATION TO ALL PRESENT EMBASSIES ON THE MEETING PLACE

It is by means of this message that the state of war between the Federation of Hyginus and the People's Union of New Terra is formally communicated to all nations presently recognised by the meeting place and with an established diplomatic corp; as enacted by the Senate of the Hyginian Federation during the Assembly and approved by First Star Admiral and Second Star Admiral, who are hereby dictated and empowered to use the entire land and space forces to such extent as may be necessary to carry this act into effect.

----------

Capital Ship 'Mértolle' - Cygni Geminae

Aboard the ship there was more activity than had been seen in several decades, if not over a century even, the generators rumbled with final purpose, moving the hull that slumbered for over 20 years while the crew inside ran around in a not so orderly manner.
The huge metal beast was moving, this time it was not an exercise, it was not being moved for a refit and it was definitely not being moved to just bomb an empty waste of ice, it was going to war.

"All systems online, moving into position within the fleet."
they would be sent as the first wave of the assault fleet, with reinforcements planned to arrive soon after.
In reality it was likely the rest of fleet would be ordered to evaluate the situation and choose to jump based on the first waves early reports, even then they were a well armed force ready to take on the enemy with plenty of cannons and missiles, the Federation wasn't going to pull any punches.

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

Elysium System

Emerging from the other side the Hyginian survey ship found itself in a completely different system, The defensive Zeus platform waiting for them on the other side, ready with defensive weapons and support ships, the people of New Haven had over an hour to prepare for this meeting after all.

The ship slowed down after seeing the meeting party.
“This ship is from the Hyginian Federation, we come in peace.” the message is sent to New Haven’s Zeus platform stationed outside the gate. It’s a station that specializes in stationing ships for rearming and is brimming with guns on all sides.

“Hygian Federation ship, your ships will be intercepted by three drone fighters, they will be your escorts. Follow the lead to the designated hangar area. You will be met by representatives of the New Haven Directorate.” The transmission cuts and several ships of military make arrive to dock at the Zeus platform. There are transports moving from ship to ship and indeed from ship to platform. Among these ships were three drone fighters from New Haven that came to a stop in front of the Hygian survey ships.

“The drones are at a stop in front of your ship. Confirm?”

“Drone arrival confirmed, proceeding to follow the escorts to destination.”

The survey ship beams a quick report back to the mother base and proceeds to follow the escort drones, on their path the hyginian crew observe this new system they are in. A large yellow star centres the system emitting much more light than the hyginians were used to in their own system, orbiting this star is a gas giant that is quite hard to miss, it can be observed this gas giant has a moon, a blue and green gem which would fit the description of pre-disaster Earth. The crew notes how both them and this nation have settled around gas giant orbiting moons far away from Earth, but also how lucky these people were to have such a beautiful gem to live on, it truly would make sense to call it a New Heaven.

The survey ship is guided by the drones on an approach vector to a large empty hangar with lots of room to land. The two flanking the ship begin to peel off and the fighter leading will also peel off as the ship approaches 0.5km.

Zeus platform then says, “Hyginian ship, maintain your vector, landing within 0.5km.”

The ship slows down as it approaches the hangar opening and begins to extend the landing gear.

“Preparing for landing.” With a last spurring of its engines the ship lands creating an audible ‘thunk’, the ship settles on its landing gear as the hangar door closes.

Once the oxygen starts flowing back into the room the Hyginian vessel opens a ramp on its back, three fully suited people get out, their hands are empty but they carry pistols on their hips.

Exiting their vessel they were met with three representatives from New Haven flanked by automated security bots. The sound of boots and metal stomping on the clean hangar floor reverberated around the empty hangar. The three drone fighters that escorted them earlier came in and docked on the Hangar roof and were taken by some unseen mechanical system, perhaps to refuel or rearm.

The first representative began to speak, “Welcome to the Zeus Defense platform. This section of the station is to receive foreign representatives. My name is Julia Wolver, diplomatic representative of New Haven stationed here in Zeus.”

The second representative followed, “My name is Evan Langley, expert in economy and trade. I will be serving as an assistant as to whether or not we can negotiate trade.”

Finally the third, “I am Lieutenant Rowan Kingsly, military representative and tech specialist. Relay to me any desire to form some military alliance.”

Julia then begins to explain, “Usually, the lead director himself would meet you, but on such short notice the Lead Director is unable to do so. He is currently at Earth overseeing the finalizing construction of the New Haven section in the Meeting Place. A neutral space for all nations. For the time being we will stand in for them.”

The hyginians move awkwardly in their environmental suits and form up with a man in front of the other two.
”Pleasure to meet all of you, I’m the diplomat from the Hyginian Federation, you can call me Ortiz.” saying this he can’t stop thinking how he only just became diplomat, the higher-ups probably only considered them disposable and didn’t expect them to do much diplomacy if at all.

”This is a first contact mission, I’m sure we can agree on some accord, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, first things first, would it be safe to remove this helmet?” Ortiz asks while tapping his bulky helmet.

Julia adjusts her glasses, “It is good of you to ask. There’s oxygen in this hangar, as you can see we do not have suits. However, our experience in our early days says that you should first be screened for unknown pathogens. A decontamination room is adjacent to this one.” Julia then points towards the door at the end of the hangar.

“If you’d follow me, we will go through decontamination and you will also be asked to take a nanite injection in order to kill any unknown pathogens we may not be immune to.” Julia says.

[color=006400]”Alright then, after you.”[color=006400] Ortiz motions to the others behind to remain on the ship before following Julia, the weight of his suit making itself heard with each step. The rest of the crew remain on the ship or closeby, leaving the lone diplomat on his own.

Ortiz and the other personnel move into the decontamination area. It was a white clean room with sprays of decontaminants. A dispenser then presents four nanite injections. The three New Havenists took their shots and without a second thought injected themselves.

Julia then turns to Ortiz and hands him a datapad. “Please sign your name here, this is a document for nanite injection treatment. It’s to make sure that you consent to such. If not, then we’ll have to conduct our business here.”

”This is alright.” Ortiz says imagining how many medical tests he will need to go through at home after injecting himself with an unknown substance.

Ortiz removes his gloves, making a sound when the air inside the suit and the air in the room mix, rolling up his sleeve he finally injects himself with the nanites and feels the effects soon after, it’s a weird feeling for him. When he feels the effect from the nanites has finished he takes off his helmet and the bulky centerpiece of his suit, revealing his stunningly short mane of black hair.

Julia adjusts her glasses again and leads him out of the cleanroom. As they entered the station proper they moved through a hallway busy with marines, drones, and non-combatants moving to and from bringing documents to different offices. “As you can see the station is busying itself with self-defense and communicating with other foreign nations about transits through the gates. We pride ourselves in working efficiently and effectively.”

Rowan, the lieutenant, interjects, “... We also pride ourselves in security. There are several systems in place that allow us to monitor all activities happening within the station. Additionally, there are military personnel patrolling in close intervals to ensure maximum security.”

”It’s good to see your people be so diligent and hardworking, even our military officers would be impressed and trust me when I say they have high standards.”

Evan then looks to Ortiz, “I’m sure trade and economic growth is within your best interests. This station sees the transit of several cargo vessels every rotation and it never stops. Communication and smooth transit is key to ensuring that the flow of resources is uninterrupted and goes without incident.”

On their walk Ortiz tried to keep count of just how many people were passing through the hallway until eventually, defeated, he gives up with a sigh, this place sure is busy.

They then come to an overlook of another hangar that’s busy with departures and arrivals. Several transports come and go without incident and smooth operations being conducted at all times. The overlook also passed one of the hangar comms control. There were several people looking over panels and screens, all of them talking and directing ships and drones at the same time and guiding them to the hangar.

One man turned around and said, “Ah, Julia, new arrivals?”

“Yes indeed.” She then turned to Ortiz, “Meet the man that guided your ship in. People in the station just call him Garry.”

”Very nice to meet you, Inmust thank you for guiding us here.” Ortiz looks at Garry, the man seems the jovial type, he also doesn’t seems as busy as basically everyone else in this corridor, perhaps his shift has ended?

Garry takes his sunglasses and places it on top of his cap. He takes off his headphones and says, “Ah don’t worry about it. You actually gave me something to do. I handle surprise arrivals and departures. Basically stuff that’s handed to us at the last minute.”

“Despite our tight schedules there are always going to be a few unscheduled arrivals and departures. Garry is one of many flight controllers that handle those few situations.” Julia explains.

”Where exactly do all these ships come from? How many systems are you connected to?” Ortiz asks, puzzled by how could a space station be busier than a train station back in Hyginus.

“Well it’s not just our system. Six months have connected us to several systems and that has led to the neutral space known as the Meeting Place in the Sol system. We also have several planets in our system that travel to and from places. The Zeus platform is also a repair station and a military installation so it’s busier than it looks because it has multiple functions.” Rowan pointed out towards the hangar, “Look there, that’s a ship that came from deeper in our system here in New Haven, it’s dropping off maintenance supplies.”

Observing the hangar, Ortiz gets the impression the station is somehow larger than it looked on the outside, the large hangar seemingly empty apart from the newly arrived ship and a couple more parked.

”Your gate has been in operation for six months? How did it activate? We have no idea how it works and don’t know who did it.” Ortiz wonders if their gate has been open for six months does it mean there are gates that have been open for far longer? Perhaps these people are relatively newcomers in a decades, maybe century old galactic community.

Julia and the other diplomats looked at eachother, “Your gate has only recently opened…?” Julia asked, “All the information we’ve gathered from other nations is that theirs have been online for about the same amount of time. We don’t have any idea why they opened either.”

Ortiz remained speechless, all these gates had opened at the same time? Moreover it only happened six months ago, of course they wouldn’t know what caused a galactic event of this magnitude. Ortiz recomposed himself.

”That is correct, our gate has only just opened and our mission was to explore other systems and conduct first contact diplomacy.” gauging the New Heavians reactions, new gates opening are rare occurrences, at least as far as they know.
”So exactly how many known gates have reactivated?”

Julia then says, “From the top of my head around fifteen from our official count. Sixteen now including your gate. Out of the sixteen, yours is the only one yet to have opened after the six month mass activation.”

Garry then interjects, “Actually, you could’ve head straight to the Sol system and met all the other nations. We’ve been doing construction there for a while.”

Then there was a ping on Garry’s terminal. “Oop! Gotta get back to work.” He puts on his headphones and sits down by the terminal, “Zeus Platform to Sunsurfer, you’re clear on dock 11. Escorts coming to you…”

“Sunsurfer?” Julia mumbled before turning to Ortiz, “... It seems the lead director heard of your arrival and expedited his return. We should meet him at Dock 11.”

”Alright.” Ortiz followed Julia on the way to dock 11, his thoughts still on the previous discussion, fifteen open gates? mass activation? not to speak of the Sol system being used for diplomacy, is there a Terran empire and these people are their vassals? did they already defeat the demons of Terra or maybe they all killed themselves already? Maybe he’ll get some answers from the lead director.

----------

Lead Director Hubert returned from the Meeting Place with his diplomatic transport, Sunsurfer. He disembarked and saw Julia and the others approaching him.

“As I live and breathe, if it isn’t the beautifully fabulous Julia Wolver!” he threw his hands out and walked towards her as if to hug her.

Julia pushed a hand out and held the Lead Director back as she adjusted her glasses, “Sir, I’m glad that you’ve returned from your trip.”

“Glad to be back! I hear there’s been some interesting developments here!” Hubert says.

Dick, the Director for civil development and psychology, emerged from behind Hubert and said, “It’s good to see that you’re handling yourself well Julia, both in diplomatic duties and keeping the Lead Director professional.”

Hubert then stepped back and fixed his suit, “I’m always professional Dick! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be in this position. Anyways, who’s the astronaut?” he pointed towards Ortiz.

“This would be Ortiz, the representative for the Hyginian Federation.” Julia replies.

Hubert then goes over to Ortiz, takes one hand and shakes it profusely while asking multiple questions, “NICE! ANOTHER NATION! Tell me… What’s your place like? Do you like our place? Are you war-like or peaceful? Do you have contact with xenos? What’s your tech like?”

Meanwhile, Dick then pinches the bridge of his nose then looks at Julia and whispers, “Can you stay with us, I think I’ll have an aneurysm if I continue to accompany Hubert alone on these diplomatic functions.”

“Sure… If you take me out to dinner Director Wazzinski.” Julia winked.

Dick couldn’t help but gulp audibly, he nodded, “Professional duties first Julia”

“Just like in the academy Dick.” Julia said before turning to Hubert, “Sir?”

Hubert turned to Julia, “Ah yes? Jules?”

“Maybe you should give him some space to answer sir.” she continued.

“Ah right…” Hubert took a step back and said, “... Well, introductions first I suppose. I’m Lead Director Hubert Seymour. I would be what you would call the leader of all of New Haven. Nice to meet you.”

While initially taken aback, Ortiz felt somewhat glad this Director was so warm and alive, unlike basically any high-ranking officer back home.

”The pleasure is mine Mr. Seymour, I’m a diplomat from the Hyginian Federation, me and my crew just arrived in this system to check for other life and well, here we are!”

Ortiz looked around the hangar,

”Should we proceed with the meeting here?”

Hubert smiled from ear to ear, “I don’t see why not! Come let’s do some diplomacy! Ask anything, go anywhere… Well almost anywhere… And let us have some jolly cooperation!”

”Sounds good, I think we could start us off by trying to understand each other’s nation and our priorities, just so we’re on the same page.” Ortiz said, trying to gauge the reaction of his interlocutor.

“Well, I’m an open book!” Hubert says, “What do you want to know? We’re a science oriented nation with superb medical technology. We’re no slouch militarily speaking either. Anything you’d want to know about these subjects?”

Science oriented Ortiz thought about it for a second, back in Hyginus they had seen minimal technological advancements in the span of three whole centuries.

”What level of medical technology? You see, our home is very industrious and many people work hard jobs with risk to their health, advanced medicine would be a great benefit for the workers.”
and it would also benefit the tyrants at the top Ortiz thought but made sure not to say it.

Hubert then said, “Well, since you’re here you’ve already received a Nano shot right? Nifty things. Programmable little machines that enter your body and get passed out of it over time harmlessly! All the while getting rid of any filthy things in your body. That’s pretty much the pinnacle of it.”

“... We also have enhanced prosthetics. You may not know it but the lieutenant’s right arm here is actually mechanical. However, we’ve made it so that it is as close to a human arm as we can get it. So much so that some people opt to become fully machine.” Julia follows up.

”That is truly amazing, how did you manage it? How long do these nanomachines keep their effect? I imagine it’s not indefinite.” Ortiz looked at the mechanical arm that until now he hadn’t realized was mechanical at all.

”Perhaps we could arrange a trade deal for prosthetics and such, sure it would take some time but I’m curious to know what you might need in return.”

“Well I’m sure we can arrange something, we’d need to go through official channels and work it out with your higher ups. But there are other things we’d need such as non-aggression treaties and such. It might be good to inform you of things happening on the other side of the gates. Seems like there’s talk of war after all.”

”It might be a bit early for us to jump into a war already, anyway I’m afraid I’ll have to go back to ensure stuff gets through those official channels but I’m glad to have met you, we’ll make sure to send someone over to that meeting place in Sol. Who knows, maybe that’s where we’ll meet again.”

While there were a few more exchanges of pleasantries the discussion was practically over.
Flying away the ship’s crew wondered how lucky they had been but also how many things could be hiding away further from their home system.

----------

Collab with
@Liotrent

GATEWAYS: THE NEXT GENERATION [NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!]

For it lived cold and alone, its heart became cold and alone.
Hyginian bedtime story

Seventh Warden Ship ‘Custodian’

Cutting through the immense nothingness a small vessel maintained its usual route, an uneventful sequence of inspectional tasks while circling the dead ruins of an equally dead civilisation, ever watchful.

Inside the floating tin-can a private was running around the halls to deliver a message.
“Lieutenant-Commander, the Captain has called for you on the bridge.”
Great thought Ortiz, wondering what the Captain might want during what was little more than a regular exercise. Ensuring each team was doing its job, or to be more accurate ensuring they were not creating any trouble, was for Ortiz more important than watching the sensors fail to pick up anything new, but his opinion didn’t matter right now so he hurried to the bridge.

”Lieutenant Ortiz, ready and on duty sir!”
The command bridge looked as usual, monitor lights flickering as they hit the cold grey walls and as the doors closed the roaring of the engines became silent, while it can usually be heard from everywhere else in the ship. But something was off, everyone in the room, from the common privates relaying information to the captain himself, was unnaturally attentive and seemed almost worried.

”Lieutenant you’re here, you might want to take a look at this.” Bringing himself to the main desk Ortiz realised what was going on.
”Wha… did you check the secondary spectrometer? Perhaps the primary is malfunctioning.” He asked hoping for a second whatever was happening wasn’t actually happening.
”Afraid that’s not the case, take a look.” The Captain flipped over his personal terminal showing the main camera feed.

Under normal circumstances, sharing classified information in such a casual way would lead to the court martial and possibly imprisonment, even for a ship captain. But these were extraordinary circumstances and the context of the images was plain for all to see, the Gate had opened.

----------

Senatorial Assembly

Thousands of high-ranking officers had arrived at the assembly, admirals from their massive motherships, generals returning from putting down rebellious colonies and governor-commanders from the bustling underground metropolis. Everyone had docked at the orbital station, passed by one of the only four green gardens in the whole system and finally arrived at the large, blocky building that comprises the Senate, on top of it is inscripted Only United we are Free.

The assembly halls had not seen this many people since at least a whole century, and still the Second Star Admiral was nowhere to be seen.
”Did Avetien answer yet?”
“Sorry ma’am, we received no further communications from the Second Star Admiral after he arrived at the possible rebel hideout.” The assistant responded.
It was typical of him so Reecka was not at all surprised, after all very rarely had a Second Star Admiral been more important than the First and Avetien probably took it that he shouldn’t get in her way, even if his absence was a hassle in these situations.

Looking at the mass of people in front of her Reecka knew she couldn’t freely speak her mind, when it comes to speeches there was a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it and even one of the two Star Admirals would be made mincemeat for suggesting the wrong thing to the wrong people.

”Fellow Hyginians, a third light appeared in our skies, one less comforting and much more abnormal.” She spoke, finally addressing the crowd.
”The Gate was made by the same wretched people that destroyed Earth as we barely managed to escape. We don’t know if the terran demons are behind that portal or whether they all died in their filth, we also don’t know if anyone else survived the collapse.” Some officers cheered while others clapped their hands, most of the crowd seemed exultant of the new state of affairs. Perhaps they wanted to get back at the earthborn demons the old stories warned about, but it was much more likely they only wanted a diversion from the internal issues that permeate the politics of Hyginus, using the possibility of war as deflection for their corruption, Disgusting.

”We’re preparing defenses for the Gate, nuclear weapons are already pointed at the entrance and more projects are being devised to boost the defenses. To everyone, Hyginus must prepare, for war is not a possibility anymore, it is certainty.” Applause erupted once again.

”But it is still too dangerous to check back on Sol, for the moment two ships have been sent to survey two different systems and determine the extent of our possible enemy.” The few that might disagree with this exact course of action were overwhelmed with the still ongoing wave of applause and cheering, also the plan was sound so it would not have been a problem regardless.
As the speech was over Reecka realised why she had a minister of speeches.

----------

First Survey Ship

The small ship sailed closer to the Gate, now bright after centuries of silence.
“Approaching target, requesting permission to jump.”
“You’re in the clear, remember to send the encoded signal before jumping back or you will be met with a couple nukes.”

The ship was nothing more than a repurposed Warden ship with few modifications for long-range exploration and limited diplomacy. A radio message had already been sent at least an hour before the ship arrived.
“Hopefully we’re not going to get blown to pieces by whatever is on that side. Jump target, RADX System.”
“Good luck and remember, for Hyginus we live.”
In an instant the ship passess the event horizon of the gate, in a blink it was gone.
In less than five minutes a similar ship would go through the same procedure, their destination the Elysium System.

Message sent to the RADX and Elysium Systems

“To all entities that receive this message, we are explorers from the Hyginian Federation. We don’t desire to instigate conflict, only to explore and establish diplomatic relations. Please receive this warning, DO NOT enter the system we arrived from, our system is defended and unauthorized vessels will be destroyed.”