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"And why is this? Our place in the galaxy is far removed from the more crowded areas near the galactic bulge. Seeing your species technological advancement, I'm sure there is little we could offer you. Also, as you've already been informed, the Var Republic . . ."
Princeps Luzica waves her hand, displaying a stellar map of the cluster with colored circles surrounding some of the stars marking territorial holdings.
" . . . Holds a considerable amount of the 'top' of our cluster. While they have become more open to outside influencers like other alien races, they remain squeamish about contact with powerful alien nations."
(Given that the opening post I put up last night wasn’t edited from the original at all, I don’t mind. Now that I’ve lost the original document to the ether, of course, that’s going to change from here on out.)
In the cockpit of the Dancer, Representative Peloponnisou gazed in slight trepidation at the warship that had come alongside the relatively-small pleasure yacht that served as her diplomatic vehicle. Reports from Representative Anatolias had indicated that not all Sakoorans were entirely pleased with the status quo in the Verma Cluster, and both the imposing escort vessel and the stated reason for its necessity did nothing to reassure her about the situation. Nonetheless, the representative responded diplomatically: “I appreciate the Imperium’s concern for our safety, Captain Larunda. I most certainly hope that this concern is not based on any active threat against the Imperium or its foreign guests, of course.” Glancing over at the yacht’s pilot, who nodded in acknowledgment, Peloponnisou added, “We are prepared to follow your vessel to this Prodromos Station at your convenience, Captain.”
“Indeed,” Representative Anatolias said, “Governors Aliciac and Merkel explained the dangers of attempting to contact the Var Republic when I indicated that I desired to do so. However, as I mentioned, the political state of affairs on this galactic arm concerns my Anassa greatly, and she will inevitably make the attempt one way or another.
“My Anassa’s concern stems from a declaration of intent by a long-established nation at the base of the galactic arm, the Ka’lu’umil, to colonize and control this arm in its entirety. The Achaian League resides close by to this arm, and my Anassa has made it her business to refute this unreasonable claim of control in order to avoid the inevitable arrival of Lygian warships defending colonies on the fringes of our own space. For that reason, my Anassa continues to seek out civilizations on or near the galactic arm in the path of potential Lygian expansion, in the hopes of aggravating these expansion plans that have such worrisome potential for all of us. And there is no harm in establishing firm friendships wherever we can,” the representative added, “no matter how distant our nations are from one another, if we are already in the area in search of interstellar civilizations for another reason entirely.”
"So, you are looking for a wall. These Ka’lu’umil seek to expand towards our cluster, and you hope an alliance will keep them contained. It's funny, our alliance with the Sakoor does much of the same with the Var Republic, preventing them from expanding into the core systems of the Cluster." Princeps Luzica said "You mentioned that you where in search of civilizations for another reason. What would that be?" she asked.
Anatolias withheld his immediate reaction to the Princeps’s assumption that the Achaian League was looking for true allies in the area, and focused on answering her question before correcting her misunderstanding. “In addition to political and military concerns, Achaian explorers do their business in the name of trade,” he said. “Economic ties are among the most important links between the nations of the Erviadus Galaxy. Newly-discovered civilizations rise to respectable heights in the eyes of the established nations of the galaxy through their trade. Moreover, commerce among the nations encourages stability, both domestically within each nation taking part and internationally in the relationships among them. It is important to my Anassa that the Vermelly people are given the opportunity to take part in this stabilizing network of commerce, and the Achaian League would be pleased to become Vermell’s first link to the rest of the galaxy in this manner.”
Western Expansion
(Not a starter. Just a territorial claim)
With the Kal-Xoris driven out of the Core and Outer Worlds, the Padishah Imperium has been safeguarded. However, feeling he'd lost the trust of the Sakooran Imperium, Imperator Jörmungandr III has stepped down from the throne, the first to do so since the Imperium's foundation. Following his departure, the throne went down to Imperator Bassam Al-Khalifa IV. Al-Khalifa is the first Imperator to not be born on New Sakoor (he was raised on Dranzuly) and the first Faithless Imperator.
Following Al-Khalifa's ascension, two new systems have been added to the Empire With the Technocracy of vermell expanding to the South and Eastern reaches of the cluster, and the Var Republic to the North, the Imperium has focused its efforts to the west, securing the Barnen Coalsack as Imperial Territory. The two newest systems are both frontier stars, Barnen-227 (Alma) and Barnen-467 (Esperito). Both systems were explored by Professor Alma Al-Fulani, an award winning Research who was praised for her ambition. After Alma passed away in her home last evening, Al-Khalifa had 227 renamed in her honor.
467 on the other hand, was renamed after a famed Sakooran Navigator, Esperito, who guided Arkship Sakoor to Belaros many years ago and perished in the War of the Messiahs. Esperito has some strange developments on its fourth planet, a desert world in the goldilocks zone, which may contain a sapient species within their Machine Age. First contact, if any, has yet to be decided by the Imperator or Imperial High Council.
For now, both systems have been claimed as official systems of the Empire, outpost stations have been set up in both systems, and colonization of both systems is a possibility in the near future. The Twilight Hammer has also considered setting up Watch Fortresses in both systems to ward off Kal-Xoris remnants that may be hiding in the Frontier Systems. The colonies in the Barchia and Lilia Systems are also being expanded and developed.
"What type of commerce would be done if we are to agree to such an offer? What could our race offer you? We still have very little experience when it comes to mastering the stars and our reach is limited." Princeps Luzica said, hoping to get a reassuring answer.
“Perhaps initially it would be difficult for the goods of Vermell to find eager buyers abroad,” Representative Anatolias admitted. “However, the reverse is not likely true, and the merchants of the galaxy would be eager to find new buyers in a newly-discovered civilization. Even if trade in material goods is slow at first, there are no doubt services that the Vermelly can provide that others either can or will not do. Moreover, with Vermell’s continued development in the best interests of both the Vermelly and the international companies seeking to do business with them, it is almost certain that Vermell will receive offers from abroad to invest in developing Vermelly industries to a standard that will allow your nation to trade, and to compete, with the rest of the galaxy on an equal footing.
“And I wish to emphasize that Achaians will not be alone in helping Vermell establish itself in this way,” Anatolias added. “As soon as Vermell is known to the rest of the galaxy, you can expect interest from plenty of other parties also. Such interest will come to Vermell especially quickly if your nation expresses interest in joining the trading bloc operating in this region of space, the Mid-North Economic Alliance—that is, ‘MiNEA.’ The Achaian League is an active member nation of MiNEA, and we highly encourage those nations that we encounter in the stars to take an interest in MiNEA from the beginning, as it is intended to be a stabilizing influence for its members in the galactic north. Existing members must agree by vote to bring new members into the organization, which means that you would do well to make Vermell known to other MiNEA member nations if you desire for Vermell to join the organization. For our part, the Achaian League has sponsored the induction of newly-discovered nations into MiNEA in the past, and we would be pleased to do so for Vermell as long as our own relationship remains strong.”
"This is certainly a tempting offer. As you said It would be necessary to have our species to be known more widely if we hope to get into this trade bloc of yours. It would require an-" she was cut off by an old Vermelly man entering the door at the side of the room. "A trip beyond the cluster." the man said
The man wore a large black robe, not quite touching the ground, open in the front. Around his neck hung a white sash with the symbol of the Technocracy on it. This man was none other than Prime-Princeps Adric Yella, leader of the Technocracy.
"Representative Anatolias," the Prime gave a small bow "please excuse my tardiness. I was surveying the new shipyards on the moon of Hella when you arrived in the system. "
"Of course. We're transmitting coordinates to Prodromos. Once you're there, you'll be allowed to send in a shuttle." And with that, the Queen of Spades began to make her burn towards Prodromos Station, leading the Dancer through the Nova Seruti System.
Just within view of Altons, the furthest planet in the system, lay Prodromos Station, a Kitan-class Station lying amongst the stars. Originally a mere refinery, Prodromos was now used as a diplomatic station. People were already hyped and eager for Peloponnisou's arrival. After all, this would be first contact for many of the station's personnel, as true first contact with the Vermell happened years before any of them were in the service. As soon as the Spades and Dancer came into range, the excited communication's officer regained his composure as he sat down and hailed the ship. "Ambassador Peloponnisou. W-welcome to Prodromos Station. You're cleared to send a shuttle for Landing Pad A-12 inside the sphere."
The representative smiled politely and returned the other man’s bow, assuming that the newcomer was an important Vermelly personage. Internally, though, Anatolias grimaced as he was confronted with yet another official personage—he had to assume—that had failed to state his name or position in favor of simply beginning a conversation. ‘One was bad enough,’ the representative thought to himself. ‘Which one of these people is actually in charge, anyway?’
Outwardly, the Achaian simply continued his part of the conversation. “That is completely understandable,” Anatolias said in response to the newcomer’s apologies. “And yes, international trade between Vermell and the rest of the Erviadus Galaxy does imply that Vermelly merchants would seek their profit beyond the confines of this star cluster,” he added. “It is not impossible to restrict your own people’s travel while still trading with others, however, if you desire instead that international merchants come to you without reciprocating. Known civilizations in the galaxy are capable of faster-than-light communications that do not require physical travel.” Anatolias motioned toward the dock areas, where his shuttle was berthed. “Most Achaian vessels, and certainly Achaian vessels in my Anassa’s direct service, are equipped with quantum entanglement communication technology. As part of my duties as a representative of my Anassa abroad, I bear one such device that will allow the government of Vermell to communicate directly with the Achaian League. The League’s own collection of QEC devices from across the galaxy can pass on your government’s messages to any other nation that communicates with the League. Should you intend to message a nation that is not among those communication partners, your message can still be passed to another nation that communicates with both the League and your intended recipient; it is almost assured that every nation known to the wider galaxy can be reached with no more than two extraneous links in the communication chain. Most nations in the galaxy, the Achaian League included, ensure that at least one QEC device is active on every settled world to facilitate immediate communications among our own people across the stars. Whether or not each individual planet should be given access to international ‘extranet’ communications is up to you.”
(Sorry, It's been a while since I did an FC)
"The Vermelly People would be much appreciative of such offerings. As the leader of the Technocracy, I can say with confidence that such a wide-reaching pact would do wonders for our nation." Realising he had yet to introduce himself, Adric clenched his teeth feeling angry at himself. Ah, please, excuse my rudeness! My name is Prime Princeps Adric Yella, 4th leader of the Technocracy since ints inception and high commander of all military forces in the nation." he said. " To address your offer, my people have been working on improving our own version of quantum communication systems, but only a few exist as large nodes of communication between systems under our control. They are still experimental at best."
"Certainly my Prime, " Princeps Luzica said "Our outer colonies and ships could be brought closer together by such technology."
"Yes," Adric replied "But I would have to converse it with the High Council first, and a diplomatic mission would be needed to meet the leaders of your bloc," he motioned towards Anatolias "before such a thing could be done. How much time would it take a ship to make the journey?"
“Acknowledged, Prodromos Station. Thank you for your welcome. My shuttle will depart momentarily.”
Representative Peloponnisou turned to the Dancer’s pilot as she rose from the seat she had claimed in the cockpit beside him. “Maintain your position here unless you are ordered to move by local authorities. My shuttle will contact the ship as soon as I’m ready to return.”
“Very good, madam,” the pilot replied, as Peloponnisou departed the cockpit and made her way to the shuttle hangar.
Within ten Peloponnesian minutes, the hangar doors were opened to release the passenger shuttle—which, like its mothership, had originally been intended for the use of very high personages indeed, with amenities to match—and the Achaian representative watched from her comfortable seat as the image of the Sakooran station grew larger in the passenger cabin’s viewscreen. Soon enough, the shuttle passed into the station, and Representative Peloponnisou took a calming breath as her craft at length settled down onto the landing pad that awaited its arrival. The representative got to her feet and made her way to the airlock; moments later, the disembarkation ramp descended, and Peloponnisou got her first in-person look at Prodromos Station.
Anatolias gave a slight shrug. “Unfortunately, there is no specific answer to that question,” he said. “If you seek to negotiate with the member nations of MiNEA in the hopes of admittance, you would likely want to speak with them prior to a MiNEA meeting called on Vermell’s behalf. MiNEA member states normally send representatives to the Haban Conchordate whenever such a meeting is called, as it was the Conchordate that organized MiNEA in the first place and hosted its first gathering; your journey to such a meeting would take three to four standard weeks from the Verma Cluster at the best speed. But prior to that meeting, your government would be best served by communicating with individual members to request their support and ease Vermell’s path into the organization. You seek Saevia, Kholinar, Celtanis, the Techno-Union, Aterius, the United Frontier Worlds, Axalias, Klendathu, and—of course—the Haban Conchordate. I will be sure to locate these nations on a galactic map for your use, Prime Princeps, as well as the location of Propylon Station, the Achaian League’s center for international relations in both economic and diplomatic matters. For all of these nations, your representatives will spend several standard weeks—perhaps as much as a standard month, depending on the speed of your warp drives—in transit before their arrival.”
(Kholinar, Axalias, and Two-Oh-Two, who RP’d the Ventillians of Klendathu, no longer RP in the region. I name them here only because they’re still on the map, but realistically don’t bother asking for a diplomatic RP with them.)
Her ship was landed on the inside of the sphere of Prodromos. Deep within, numerous Sakooran civilian vessels were going about their business, docking and undocking. Nearby, on the platform, a group of Imperial marine Troopers walked up on the platform, along with an officer. The officer lacked a helmet, which gave the Achaian a good look at the Sakooran people. They looked almost exactly like normal humans: same skin and eye colors, as well as body builds. However, one noticeable difference was that the Sakoorans were all between 6 to 8 feet tall, average height for their kind. They also had slightly pointed ears, hinting at their half-elf heritage from Eleris. The Officer speaks up in a low professional tone. "Representative Peloponnisou, it's an honor to meet you. My men and I will escort you to the conference chamber. Is there anything you wish to note before we proceed?"
"The Technocracy would see grateful for such an opportunity. If you could send us the location of the Conchordate and Propylon Station would be much appreciated. However, as Prime Princeps, I am held back by the powers of the Council when it comes to establishing relations with Alien nations. It may take some time for them to make a decision on who to send, when, and if to make further contact at all." Aric explained "You are welcome to stay on Vermell until such time a decision is made, or you may leave. The decision is up to you. Just know that the Council is, well, 'slow' at these types of things. If the Council gives the go-ahead to make contact with more nations of MiNEA, then I'm sure we could use quantum communication to contact you later."
Representative Peloponnisou focused on the approaching Sakooran officer and shook her head in the negative. “Thank you for your welcome,” she began. “Please, lead on to this conference chamber. The sooner I can speak with the leaders of the Imperium, the sooner that my mission here will be complete.”
Anatolias blinked in surprise, before frowning as he considered what he had just been told. “I must ask for clarification, Prime Princeps,” he began. “Do you speak of a possible delay in reaching out to other nations of MiNEA alone, or do you mean to say that there will be such a delay even in establishing a relationship with the Achaian League itself?” Anatolias certainly hoped that he had misunderstood Prime Princeps Yella’s explanation, but as far as the representative could determine from his host’s statement, his journey to the Vermelly homeworld—on which Anatolias had only just arrived, after all—was a complete waste of time, and the High Council with which the representative had hoped to speak would instead take so long to make a decision on whether or not to even communicate with the Achaian League that the Council’s own leader had just advised Anatolias to return home in the meantime! Certainly Governors Aliciac and Merkel had never mentioned that their Achaian guest was asking too much when he expressed his intention to speak with the Vermelly High Council, but now Anatolias was made to wonder if he had just wasted his time.
Hoping that he could reignite the negotiations before they simply stalled, Anatolias added, “I wish to make it clear that my primary purpose in coming to Vermell is to establish a diplomatic relationship between the Technocracy and the Achaian League, and to suggest the exchange of embassies between our nations to formalize that relationship. While we value MiNEA as an organization and encourage our diplomatic partners to investigate the possibility of their own membership, I do not want to mislead you into believing that such economic concerns are my primary reason for coming here, Prime Princeps. I am here, speaking with my Anassa’s voice, to establish a friendship between the Vermelly and the Achaian people, and between the Technocracy and the League. I hope that the High Council understands the true nature of my arrival here, and does not ask me to depart or wait indefinitely for a response to this query.”
"Of course." The marines began to escort her through the dark halls of the station. They arrived at the conference room. Unlike other rooms of the station, this one seemed a bit more antique, almost reminiscent of a Cathedral's interior. At the center of a room, on the other side of a long table stood 7 beings, 6 honor guards and a man with a long hood and cape. The man turns around and lowers his hood, revealing his fair skin, shaved face, and long brown hair tied in a low pony tail. The marine commander and the other marines escorting Peloponnisou all take a knee. The man smiles and eyes the Achaian. "Welcome to Sakoor, Peloponnisou. I am Padishah Imperator Bassam Al-Khalifa, leader of the Sakooran Dominion. It's an honor to have you here."
"Do not be afraid representative. Diplomatic relations will be established with the Achaian League now, and an embassy can be set up in a short time here on Vermell, but as for other nations in MiNEA besides your own, It will take time for the Council to make a decision. While we are glad that you came to us first as it speeds up our process of diplomacy, the Council can be reluctant when engaging in contact of its own. In fact, I'm sure that Princeps Luzica could get her Ministry to begin the process of creating a relationship and official communications between out two nations. "
(Sorry for grammar, posted from phone.)
Representative Peloponnisou nodded respectfully to her host, hiding her surprise that the soldiers who were intended to keep watch over the unknown foreigner in their midst would purposely divert their attention from her in order to pay respects to their ruler, in whose presence the aforementioned ‘unknown foreigner’ was now standing. It was the Sakoorans’ good fortune that Anassa Omonoia desired an honest friendship with their state in the Verma Cluster. Peloponnisou didn’t dare to imagine how these people would have fared in a diplomatic meeting with an Aartisian representative.
“In the name of Omonoia II, supreme commander of the Void Fleets and Anassa of the Achaian people, I thank you for your welcome, Padishah Imperator, and for the generosity of the Sakooran people,” Peloponnisou said. “From our diplomatic discussions with the Vermelly, my Anassa has acquired a favorable impression of your Imperium, and she truly desires to establish a friendship between Sakoor and the Achaian League to facilitate easy diplomacy and increased economic traffic between our two nations. While the Verma Cluster is not especially close to the Achaian League, there is sufficient proximity between our nations that our relationship is considered an Achaian priority in the short term.” The representative smiled at Khalifa and added, “I have no doubt that both our nations can be enriched through our interaction, Padishah Imperator.”
Representative Anatolias subsided in response to the Prime Princeps’s assurances. “I certainly understand a delay in opening new lines of communication to others that are not already clamoring to speak with your representatives,” Anatolias said. “And on behalf of my Anassa, I certainly appreciate knowing that my presence here will not be simply brushed aside. I look forward to hearing from Princeps Luzica with details about the construction of an Achaian embassy on Vermell. With your government’s permission, my Anassa intends that I act as her official ambassador upon the completion of that embassy. Is that acceptable to the Technocracy?”
"Indeed. The Technocracy has spoken well of you, too. I do hope we can build good relations between our peoples as well." He claps his hands and a waiter comes over with two glasses of Champaign. Khalifa smiles. "Ah, yes, White Mountain Champaign, some of the richest alcohol in the Cluster as a whole!" He takes his glass and sips, letting its mixture of sweet and sour flavor hit his taste buds. He sighs of relief. "Care for a glass, Representative?" he asks politely as the waiter makes his way with the remaining glass, offering it to her.
Representative Peloponnisou eyed the wine glass speculatively. “I would be happy to sample it,” she said, nodding to the waiter and taking the glass in her hand. Raising it to the Imperator in a toast, Peloponnisou took a sip and closed her eyes to evaluate the flavor on her tongue. It was unlike most Achaian wines, and the representative eventually decided that it was not entirely to her taste; however, she had a feeling that not every Achaian would agree with her, while at the same time there would certainly be Sakoorans who desired a sample of Achaian fare in return. “It is very good,” she said, opening her eyes again and turning her full attention to the Sakooran ruler in front of her. “Leisure beverages are among the Achaian League’s primary exports, and so I can say with authority that your vintners and ours will almost certainly meet one another on a regular basis as they sell their wares across the galaxy. There is little that unites the Erviadus Galaxy more closely than a fondness for intoxication, and almost every known species can agree that drink is best imbibed among friends.”
Even as she spoke, however, Peloponnisou put the glass down beside her and pushed it aside for the moment. The diplomatic discussion had only just started, after all, and the Achaian representative, acting as an example of the whole Achaian people, was not about to lose her wits to excess drinking before the negotiations had truly begun.
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