OOC: I thought I would establish a diplomatic summit of sorts where existing nations could discuss current matters and new nations could announce themselves within the context of the meeting in order to facilitate greater macro level cohesion. So, if you already have a nation feel free to resolve whatever issues are currently vexing you regarding other nations (or cause new problems). If you do not have a nation in the larger RP, however, this sort of thread is a great place to introduce them in a way that gets noticed.

IC: The Hub, a neutral planet of some significant standing among traders and analogous peddlers alike was home to many a facility, ranging from the venerable Cantina to a sizeable starport and even the infamous Club Inferno. Many called the place home, and perhaps many more derived their livelihood from the very nature of its inherent seediness and general malevolence of its environs. Nevertheless, throngs of businesses rose and fall on this place, their buildings either reconstituted into the sprawl or occupied by those unfortunate enough to reside in the urban areas of the planet. The touch of nations was a stranger to this place, but those days may soon be at an end.

The Hall, as it was called in the earlier days of the planet, was still maintained in a minimal fashion by the nominal government of the planet, though in the last few decades it was home to more inter-corporate meetings than a place of civilized discussion among nation states. However, in a sudden change of heart from said government (most likely spurred by fears of colonial expansion towards the Hub’s sphere of commerce) as well as a generous nudge from anonymous sources, the first meeting of nations was to be held in this exact location. It was fitting, in a way, for a place of so much trade to now be established as one of the rare truly neutral areas of the world where nations could discuss pressing matters with one another with little worry of dishonorable power moves of less scrupulous nations.

As it happened, Eudemonia and the Selekusion Commonwealth was sponsoring this particular meeting due to their renewed interest in foreign affairs following contact with both Trantor and the Red Technocracy, as well as the considerable gains the Allies of Selekus managed to accrue over the last several decades, cementing their position in the region. As such, the grand halls and immense rooms of the once opulent building were muted with tones of Selekusion aesthetic virtue, the Eudemonian staff doing the best they could to obscure as much of the extravagance from view, utilizing clever drapings and large temporary fixtures as their weapons against such travesties. Gold was replaced with humble earth tones, marble carvings of heathen gods replaced with neutral gray furnishings with carvings of the Ardren Enlightened Path. Murals, too, covered the walls and ceilings of the place, though temporary as they were. Tripolitanian military victories over the lesser peoples of Selekus contrasted with Eudemonian philosophical ideas embodied as a variety of Gods, Vredfir the Trakion among them clad in traditional (though anachronistic) hardsuit.

A variety of automated servants patrolled the first stirrings of activity, given no proper Selekusion would ever bow down to that sort of work. Indeed, nearly everything aside from artisan duties, supervision, and other intellectual activities were strangely lacking human involvement, the Selekusions appearing to have brought their own brand of automation with them. Tables were set within the main chamber, and equipment readied for the guest nations, the Eudemonian equipment itself seeming to eagerly anticipate the intriguing activities that will soon take place.

It had been a very interesting message, the call for a diplomatic meeting by the Eudemonian Federation. These aliens had just made contact with the Red Technocracy, and they were now wanting to establish diplomatic relations. It was a wise move, seeing as the military might of the Technocracy was overbearing and quite advanced, and the Technocracy found it better to have allies than enemies. In a display of gratitude and peace, the Premier himself had decided to attend this conference, instead of sending a minor diplomat, as was the normal policy for relations with potentaily hostile powers that interested the Technocracy.

In his quarters aboard the battleship "Antongrad", the Premier of the Red Technocracy, Anton Medevev, whom the ship was named after, was eating lunch. He was at his desk, reading a guide to the diplomatic relations with unknown races, as compiled by his staff. His lunch was the usual fare for the Premier, a plate of Pelmeni with Okroshka soup on the side, washed down by a cold glass of Prostokvasha. His quarters were sparse in a spatial sense, gilded and lined with paintings, but severely lacking in furniture, and keeping the same metal flooring the rest of the ship possessed.

He was taking a swig of Prostokvasha, a chiming noise split through the cabin, implying that someone on the bridge would like to open a comm-link with him. He nodded, and set down the papers and his drink.

Yes?

The harsh voice coming over the Comm-Link was that of Captain Andrey Knyazev, an old and distinguished man who Anton had picked to lead the fleet accompanying this diplomatic mission.

Premier, we are ready for transport to the "Hub", Diplomatic visas have been procured, and we have instructions on where to land.

Anton was pleased, quickly he tidied up his desk, grabbed his Military Cap, and was off down the hallway to the Transmat Room, where the operator hopefully would not send him into wall instead of the ground.

Anton stepped on to the transmat pad, flanked by a ground of his advisers, and a squad of Marines carrying Bolt-Action rifles and wearing their finest parade uniforms. He felt that sensation of being ripped apart Atom-by-Atom, and then he felt a whole new wave of sensations as a larger portion of his matter was transferred from one point in space to the other. His landing location was cold, even colder than the ship, and seemed to be a place that against all odds, had been scaled down for the occasion.

The great dreamer stirred in the shadow haunted chambers. The world named Hub was to host a gathering of empires; this both excited and disturbed the sleeping queen. Had not one of her Aeryn interacted with the beings of this world? Why had an invitation not been given to the Xindhi? Perhaps these creatures believed they were not worthy to attend their meeting. The queen roared in her dreams, a roar that echoed through the dream threads of all the Xindhi and they shuddered in their slumber.

In the grand hall one form stirred among the elongated shadows that stretched across the dusty marble floor. Rising from the elaborate sarcophagus raised a heavily armored figure, the black plate veined with crimson. As the armored form peered around the gloom, there was a brief crackle of energy that echoed through the silent halls.

With a purpose the figure stepped lightly on the marble, as she did so the eye sockets blazed with a crimson fury, the miasma of energy swirled around the face and drifted upward to dissipate a scant few feet above her head. Facing the large elaborate sarcophagus, the woman took a knee, the harsh clack of the metal knee upon the marble echoed loudly in the grand hall.

“My Queen I rise and serve…” rasped the voice as the crimson energies focused on the vast stone structure that dominated the hall. The great dreaming queen smiled as the voice reached her, “Lady Drake, I wish to have the Xindhi represented at this meeting. I can think of no emissary better to represent me than the Frostfire Knights.”

Lady Drake bowed her head again, the energies incandesced and cast a brilliant halo of light onto the floor, the queen was summoning the Frostfire Knights from their slumber. With a subtle thrumming of the resonance, Lady Drake reached out and caressed the knights who resided in their encampment outside the city gates. Slowly from the mists that swirled and flowed across the surface of the planet, the Frostfire Knights slowly began to rise. Their plate armor composed of the deepest onyx laced with deep crimson veins, the standard bears summoning from the prana the standards of crimson displaying a coiled black dragon.

Rising Lady Drake tapped her amulet and began tracing the vibration pattern towards the Hub, following the trail that Jessi the Aeryn had laid out for them. As the clack of her ghastly skeletal drake’s claws touched the marble tiles, slowly the mist of shadows roiled away and before her waited the great black drake, Dagwanoenyent, the shadow dragon. Any who would have looked upon the skeletal visage bathed in a crimson glow would have sworn that the Xindhi lady was smiling.

Mounting the great skeletal beast, Lady Drake wheeled around and urged the dragon towards the great slumbering gates, as she closed in upon the massive portal, the thunder of the Frostfire Knights as they rode forward, falling in step behind their leader, five-thousand strong. Once she was before the great horned one who kept eternal watch upon the dreaming gates, Lady Drake raised an armored fist, her voice echoed across the suddenly deathly silence that began to rush into the void left by the shod hooves.

“I shall bring my guard and my guard only. The rest of you shall wait for my word.” Rasped her voice, and even before the last syllable was uttered, ten riders broke ranks and formed a wall on either side of the Lady. The standard carried by one seemed to shift as if by some wind, and then fell stiff as the rider ceased movement. The crimson energies flared then shrunk to pinpoints of light, again the impression of a smile settled upon Lady Drake’s visage.

With an almost imperceptible nod the entourage moved forward, and through the great slumbering gates, following the thrum of the resonance laid out by the Aeryn Jessi. Slowly crossing the vast distances, passing holons and worlds as a thundering shadow, a sudden and swift storm across the land, the Xindhi rode with a purpose. Children tossed and turned in their sleep, for a brief moment nightmares flooded their fragile psyche. Adults shuddered as they felt the shadow cross their perception; a cold chill rode along their spines causing the hair on their arms and nape to stand erect.

The Hub was before them now, the envoy and her companions felt the pull, the thrum was strong and vibrant, there was much to learn here, and they would partake in the understanding of this holon. Slowly the membrane of the holon puckered and stretched, a shimmering water-like portal appeared as the troupe broke through and touched the surface of the world, they touched reality once more. Before them rose the edifice known as the Hall.

The Xindhi rode forward; the chill winds whipped the banner violently before settling down thanks to the standard bearer manipulating the wind with darshan, creating a void space around the standard where the tempest held no sway over the honored device.

((So, can we just jump into this and start swimming in the pool of Galactic Diplomacy?))

OOC: Yeah, everyone is welcome, even people who don't necessarily own nations but either have in interest in stuff like this or represent entities like guilds and whatnot.

Trantor's small escort fleet, arrived, sending out the various representatives of the State. As a young man, with long, flowing golden hair, stood out, the young man the chief diplomat, along with a Dragon, standing as one of his Guards. He had several armored men following him, with the diplomatic team in tow, followed by several custom robotic shells, the division here to settle the status of the Galaxy. Most experts were predicting trans Galactic War, and it was rumored that Trantor was building a network of gates, as well as using Trans Dimensional Barriers and Gate Jammers to jam all methods of FTL, trickery or not. It seemed as if all over, companies mobilizing defensive Mobile Armors, insurance purchases through the roof, War was coming ,with small sectors threatened to be sucked into the Galactic Conflict.

Yuuno was here to prevent that, the young man hoping for peace. Chrono, however seemed jaded, with the return of several ships that were broken, and the deaths of 100 men out in space, a tragedy. With 20 ships built to replace the last, and more being rushed every day, It was a bad day to be an Admiral. His own ship had taken point, but the Hub was a place of peace, and not war. He waited as he entered the Great Hall, for diplomatic discussions to begin. A news broadcast station from Terra mentioned Terror again, and so called "Trantor Enforcers", in the area. "Odd. Terrorism..." Yuuno began, as he went to speak with the Red Technocray represntaive.

Lady Drake stood in the grand hall, her onyx armor veined in crimson, as were the ten warriors with her. The ancient blades and round shields seemed out of place compared to the races with technology. It seemed as if the people at this meeting had an aversion to speaking to the skeletal beings known as the Xindhi.

Every once in a while the Xindhi emissary would catch glimpses of people staring at her small group. When she detected that she would turn her head and allow her crimson energy whorls to flare and flash, creating a dull crimson glow that seemed to light up an area about three feet in front of her.

It seemed from the bits and pieces of chatter she was able to pick up, in the deeps of space a conflict had emerged between several empires. Lady Drake had listened and even amplified the sound vibrations to hear clearly the conversation that had occurred regarding some empire called Trantor and the Red Technocracy. It appeared that this Red Technocracy was subject of much conversation as several of its marines had landed at a cantina trying to establish law.

Turning towards her general, Lady Drake said in a voice that seemed to carry from a deep and forgotten well, “Perhaps we should judge these empires. Gather memories and allow the great sleeper to form an opinion as to which we should approach for forging an alliance. If any.”

General Dalran’s amber energy whorls shrunk to mere points of light in the vast empty sockets, his voice equally distant carried softly, “Indeed Lady, we shall keep thrumming the resonance of this meeting. Perhaps one of these technological empires will seek an ally with our unique skills?”

Lady Drake cocked her head slightly, her jaw parted slightly allowing the teeth to separate slightly, and it seemed as if she were smiling. “Perhaps my dear general, perhaps, although as we have seen before, those who live with technology believe that their way is the only way and that things such as the Xindhi should not exist.” Turing her attention back to the room, she nodded to some minor diplomat who flashed a nervous smile at her and her escorts.

Anton turned from his huddled circle of advisers as the Trantor Diplomat approached, flanked by what looked to be a small military landing team. This was just like Trantor, bringing quite large forces to rather peaceful meetings between nations.

He looked at the diplomat, who seemed far too young to be doing his job, and then spoke.

He saluted as he said his hellos, a sign of respect and general peacefulness in the Technocracy when talking with another diplomat or government official.

So you're the Trantor forces diplomat, it's nice to meet a member of your nation in person. See what you're really like...

"I'm sorry for the attack," the blonde man begun, as the AI representatives looked ownwards, each one saluting the diplomat, as the Armored men also held their guns for a moment. the notice of the Eudemonian is war not lost to them. "I am Yuuno Scrya, of the Magi-Tech division of Trantor." His introduction was short, and to the point.

"Our own forces had an internal issue. As of now, the Trantor Post, a free and independently owned paper, is publishing reports that lean to the... what do you call it, 'right wing..' The man seemed to struggle with the word, as if it were an unknown tounge.. "We have arrested the Admiral responsible, and he is currently being held at a secure location. We are willing to offer reparations for the men lost, and ships with equal or greater value to replace your lost military assets. The commander himself would be sent over to your people for trial, and we would exchange an indemently for your pain and suffering." Yuuno's prose was long, and two the point, as his guards looked onwards, the mysterious extra-dimensional beings another subject of discussion.

"Shall we," a diplomat said, his eyes on the energy-like beings that stood before him, "Well, they are at least willing to speak if they are here," the second said, his tone in plan English. "Hello fellow peoples. We are from the Trantor, and we would wish to discuss trade, and issues of friendship. I am Duston F Seiei, and this is my partner Lockan Rightshot. We are humbled to be in your presence." The two bowed, waiting for the mysterious being's response.

Lady Drake observed the two creatures, Trantor ambassadors who stood before her and her entourage; her voice echoed and carried, “Indeed? I am Lady Drake of the Xindhi; I am the emissary of the grand sleeping queen.” Even as she said the words, the energies in her eye sockets flared and blazed, as did the multicolored energies of the other Xindhi around her.

Having seen other diplomats extend a hand, the leader of the Frostfire knights did the same, she extended a gauntleted hand forward, the great crimson and black cloak fell loosely around the arm as she lifted it. The diplomats were able to see clearly that the crimson veins in the armor shimmered and flowed, as if they carried some energy within.

Even as she extended the hand the Xindhi framed and recorded the event in time, placed it in the prana and memory of this holon, froze every minuet detail in the space of resonance so that all Xindhi could see and understand the events as they transpired, so the great queen and her council would comprehend the events of diplomacy that was beginning.

“An offer of trade and friendship you say? I believe we may have avenues to explore then my young friends, as do the Xindhi with all nations here.” Lady Drake said, her gravelly voice seemed to intone a conspiracy as she leaned in closer, the energies whorled and shrank to mere points of light, giving her skeletal visage a more horrific appearance as the burning embers gave rise to the image of a classic undead being with glowing red eyes, “However I feel that with the advent of conflict on several fronts brewing the idea of peaceful trade may be delayed as war is raising it’s hoary head once more.”

Pulling away in a smooth and fluid motion Lady Drake bowed slightly, “However we are intrigued by the ideals of friendship. Will not our appearance, our very nature, cause some distrust among your peoples? It is not often one deals with…monsters from nightmares?” Lady Drake had heard the term being applied to the Xindhi coalition as they had made their way around, trying to get a feeling and understanding for the races and nations that had shown up prior to the Trantor contingent.

The large ship quickly approached the planet, much resembling a mix of a Chinese Junk and a Arabian Dhow for space travel loomed in. The ship docked on the planet, disgorging the emisarry that lay within to proceed to the meeting chamber, accompanied only by a scribe. He was wroght with fury which burned inside of him like a raging inferno, but his hate against the infedels could wait, for there are some who would rather see peace, the true way of life, than war, as these others...

He eventually made it to the main chamber, and was stunned by all the races that were assembled.

iAnton nodded, and them smiled as the Trantorian diplomat talked, this going much better than planned, and maybe they were not a xenophobic and imperialistic as first thought.

But the Premier's reply was cut short as the scene moved on the mysterious creature that was also in the room, something that seemed to be fueled by magic, and rotting.

He saluted the creature, and said his hellos.

I am Anton Medevev, the Premier of the Red Technocracy.

It would be nice to have your acquaintance.

Amidst the representatives for the slew of diverse peoples entered an individual on indescribable oddity. Dressed in some kind of robe made of stiff synthetic fibers, wires were jutting out every which way from the “cloth”, seeming to terminate somewhere around what passed for his skull, which was really now more some oblong metallic case barely holding a face together, nests of wires giving the impression of hair. The being, flanked by two suits of black Pezhetairoi armor, shambled down the steps to his station, in which it remained still for several seconds before a low hum emanated from the being, followed by a sudden jerking of what seems to be it’s entire body. It then abruptly stilled, the diplomat achieving a link with the Philosophers themselves.

Having achieved one mind with the great leaders of Eudemonia, the being made a sweeping gesture across the room, stopping short of where the Trantorian were seated. It’s voice, a melodious and soothing tone fit for singing Homeric ballads betrayed his appearance, adding an eeriness appealing to the Eudemonians but perhaps alien to many others

We greet the friends of Selekus, stranger and brother alike, to our great chamber of peace and flourishing…

Said the being, being gracefully turning it’s sweeping gesture into an elegant finger, pointed straight out and towards the Trantorian representative as if in an accusing manner

We too greet those who plot our destruction, sending knives in the dark at our throats while we sleep.

The being then quickly retracted its finger and arm from its position, allowing it to gracefully lay atop his lap. Letting out a very low hum as it tuned into the Philosophers once more, it became increasingly evident that some other force was speaking through the being

We, and I, the Philosophers and the sequence of diplomatic affairs hold congress in these halls to cement the ties of peace among those nations who follow the path if Truth and Progress, and punish those who scream blasphemies from the dark, sending slaves to do what they have not the courage to accomplish themselves. As it is, never shall it be again, Progress flowing through the cracks like truth through lies.

Zheng-shi looked around the great chamber, trying to spot the Eudemonian Diplomat, which he suceeded at. After shuffling through many other groups of people at a steady pace and, poorly suited to the poor scribe's, Sumbhajee, physical condtion, they finally arrived near his speaking area. The Eudemonian Diplomat was a strange and un-nerving creature, but none the less, Zheng had orders from the Sultan himself, (Even signed by Him! Truly an heirloom for the family!) to dicuss a possible alliance with these people, for they would need assistance in the coming Jihad. He then asked in a heavily Chinese-accented voice,

"Excuse me, sir, but but you are the Eudemonian Diplomat, yes?"

((I'm assuming, that if you've ever played it, this Diplomat is like the Ordos Speaker from Emperor: Battle for Dune?))

Lady Drake bowed slightly to the Red Technocrat diplomat; his manners seemed very refined and dignified. Her voice rasped and carried in an oddly and disturbing way, “Hello Anton Medevev, Premier of the Red Technocracy. I am Lady Drake emissary of the great sleeping queen and representative of the Xindhi. Truly the Xindhi are honored that such an esteemed dignitary as you would grant us acknowledgement.”

As the Edumonian diplomat spoke, the Xindhi contingent turned to listen to the man speak. At the conclusion of his speech General Dalran leaned close to the dark lady and whispered, “Perhaps he is speaking of us, yet we have attacked no race with in this room.”

Lady Drake drew herself to her full height; the dusky cloak fell silently to the ground, the edge brushing the immaculate floor with a soft whisper. She had framed the speech in time, framed it in resonance so the great queen would be able to experience and understand it.

The crimson energies flared and cascaded in front of the Xindhi emissary, the miasma spun wildly in front of her face, hiding much of it as the intense light poured forth, her voice cold, “Perhaps dear Dalran, perhaps. But I believe he is discussing other issues, such as the unprovoked attack upon the Red Technocracy by the Trantor fleet. However if the Edumonians have issue with the Xindhi I shall listen to them and what ever perceived problems they believe may exist.”

Whirling around the cape carrying and billowing before settling down again, the onyx armor was glowing dully from the crimson veins that etched it, her voice seemed strained as she peered at the Premier, “Forgive me Anton Medevev, I am sure we can speak freely after introductions are made and the issues of sovereignty and offenses have been addressed by this council.”

Anton noted that the creature was quite nice for it's appearance, and gave a small bow in return as it bowed. He watched with interest as the creature seemed to create magical radiation a whim, framing the moment in time and space. (Not that he knew that, he just felt the presence of magic.) Returning to the Eudemonian's speech and the matter of the approaching NTS Diplomat, he hastily said to the Xindi, "We should take more later, I have many more things to attend to than I intended, Sorry."

He gave the Xindi another rigid salute before turning his gave away from her, and to the Eudomian on stage. The 'creature', as Anton would have called, had a calming voice, almost in perfect opposition to it's strange and rather grotesque features. He silently agreed with the sentiment of the diplomat as 'it' talked, thinking of how that would have a certain new meaning to the Trantorian Delegation.

As the Eudemonian Diplomat finished his speech, Anton turned his attention to the Tripolitanian Delegate, and saluted another rigid salute to his approaching, power armored form before beginning in conversation. "Hello, It's nice to meet our NTS friends in person." he said, blurting the words out as they came. He thought to himself, Damn, I should have said something else. His statement was partially true, as he was very much looking forward to meeting a member, any member, of the NTS is person.

Anton took note of the NTS Diplomat's escort, and thought to himself musingly, It looks like I'm the only one here who isn't packing heat. Now, back to reality, he lowered his hand from the rigid salute, and extended it in a friendly handshake.

OOC: Something like that, yeah, as I have a certain affection for House Ordos

IC: The diplomat gave a small, jerky nod towards the Buddislamic diplomat, the jerking motion returning back towards the rest of the representatives. Alliances would indeed be discussed, though the diplomat had something else in mind. As the head jerked once more in an upward motion, several data streams entered the diplomat’s mind through the Philosopher’s Archive and into the terminal before the diplomat, the screens installed in the upper areas of the hall coming to life with apparently peaceful footage of the initial interaction between the Selekusions and Trantorians

No, representative of…

With a slight pause the diplomat applied several contextual filters on the recorded communications up to this point, identifying the person addressing him as hailing from Xindhi

Xindhi, we have no qualm with you, though the same can not be said of some of our audience on this day.

He remarked while simultaneously selecting pieces of footage and communication records from the initial Trantorian contact

As you can see, good people of this hall, the initial contact with Trantor was indeed peaceful and in keeping with both Selekusion and general law among nations. Good Tripolitania aided the People and Council of Eudemonia in addressing the vistors to our territory, of which the honorable Red Technocracy was among those new to our people. While tense, as expected of first contact, the interactions were in keeping with civilized discourse among nations. That was, until Trantor first stated their obvious ruse, lying through their smiles as they cleverly laid out a “disabled” ship for the well intentioned Tripolitanians to aid.

With another slight jerk from the diplomat, the footage changed to actual footage taken by the Tripolitanian fleet action in their attempt to aid the failing “Enterprise V”, complete with impartial camera detecting a far larger force than what was expected

Instead of a stranded vessel, however, an ENTIRE FLEET, obviously amassing for an attack against our peaceful nations and awaiting reinforcements, greeted our friends. We thank Thebva the goddess idol of victory for our allies diligence in spotting the deceit and destroying the fleet before they could relay their position for gather more of their vile host. No doubt the skill at arms of the Tripolitanians struck fear into the heart of the Trantorian beast, giving them second thoughts about their imperialistic ambitions and thus spurring them to play humble in the presence of equals. BUT DO NOT BE FOOLED, Trantor’s kindness at the feast is matched only by their poisoned dagger at your throat while you drink to good health. Indeed, look at the victimization perpetuated by Trantor on the gentle Red Technocracy, destroying their peaceful fleet when simply defending themselves from Trantor’s allies of black soul, partners in villainy and deceit.

Let it be known that actions ring far truer than words, and poems of spiced honey seem less sweet when uttered by your murderer…

Anton simply watched this new speech silently, ignoring the attempts by his advisers to talk to him. His eyes were transfixed on the news of Trantorian atrocities, ones that made their unprovoked attack by a Xenophobic captain pale in comparison.

Once he it was over, he clapped wildly, shouting, "Bravo! Bravo!"

He turned to his advisers, and muttered, "Trantor sure will enjoy this..."

And then he looked back at the NTS Diplomat, who had also paused to listen to the speach.