Avantia Kumara's Story

Stryfe sat in her office, Nina standing near her desk, pen moving swiftly along her paper. The letter she wrote was urgent, one that could potentially change the future of Terra. She only hoped those she sent the letter to would be receptive to the ideas presented.

She wrote, 'Hello, captain, officer, prime minister, ambassador, colonel, general, director, president, senator, or congressman, whomever you may be. My name is Fatin Alfarsi, you may, or may not, know me, but I am one of two heads of the organization known as The Invictus. I write you this letter because I, like you, currently live on Terra. I am invested in it's well-being and the well-being of it's people, their freedom from threats such as the Aschen, the Taiyou, Belkans and any others who would rather keep us from being who we want to be, from being individuals.

I ask for a meeting to earn your support in a full reform of the Terran government and how it perceives official, and unofficial, sovereign entities and organizations who would like representation on the planet and it's affairs.

We have to join together because we are on this planet, if the planet is lost, we lose as a collective. I, for one, do not plan to allow any more lives to be taken by those who would rather do harm to our people. Our brethren.

If you allow me an audience, I will go into more detail. If this interests you so far contact in any way you wish. Phone, letter, e-mail, or a personal visit to my office at The Palace located on Main Street in Wing City.

Personal Phone: 213-489-2732.
E-mail: BigKahuna@various.
Address: The Palace @ 9001 Main Street, Wing City.

Finishing the letter, Stryfe handed the letter to her assistant, Nina. "Make sure this gets to Camma." Stryfe told the woman, "Make several copies first. I'll have the Veritas give her the addresses she needs." Stryfe said to the woman, "Aye aye." Nina said, turning to leave Stryfe's office.

Avantia Kumara sat at the head of an empty table within the great hall hall of the royal palace of Volary. It wasn't often these days that her station served as little more than a formality, but with tidings from the midlands of Terra it would seem that change was on the horizon. She re-read over the letter in her hand once more before placing it down to take a sip of wine from a silver cup. As she returned the cup to the table a young attendant approached to refill the glass but Avantia waved the lad away.

The boy wasn't more than about ten years old, a nephew of Avantia's, but he was a diligent enough attendant and eager to run errands for his Aunt.

"That's enough wine for now," Avantia said. "Go and find Shanthi, tell her I wish to speak with her."

Sliding a piece of parchment over in front of her, she began to intently scribe her own response while the lad scurried off.

Avantia's arrival in the capital city of Narita had been marked with little fanfare. Only a small company of escorts had arrived with her, and only two accompanied her up the steps of the Shogunate palace. The relatively small escort served as a sign perhaps of the relative peace maintained within Shintenchi at the moment.

Though peace or not, it was a peculiar thing for Avantia to have come to Narita in favor of sending an emissary to speak on her behalf. It had been eight years since she had last left Volary, and six years since she had last spoken with Sato of the Shintenchi Shogunate.

When Avantia had last been to Narita, she had been only twenty years of age and acting as an emissary between her mother, the late Matriarch, and Sato's father. It was then that Avantia had first met Sato, and again two years later within Volary.

Word would no doubt have reached Sato by now that Avantia had arrived in person, and as the Volarian matriarch swept up the steps of the palace, she and her pair of escorts were admitted entrance into the reception hall.

Sato silently sat upon her throne as her men prepared her to hold discussions, a lavish meal placed before them, and everything made to perfection while they discussed. "She's here." An Adjutant said, bowing before the Shogun. Sato nodded. "Send her up." She said, gesturing for Avantia to be allowed passage to the inner halls of the Shogunate Palace, which was a traditional styled building among a massive modern city.

Once Avantia arrived to Sato's chamber, the Shogun would incline her head. "Welcome to my Palace." She said, nodding while two Rocket Angels stood behind the Shogun.

"I am glad you were able to come on such short notice, we have much to discuss, afterall."

Avantia returned the nod with one of her own as she joined Sato.

"I assure you there wasn't much pressing keeping me in Volary," Avantia replied, choosing to address Sato in the Taiyou tongue. Her grasp over Taiyou was stronger than basic, and conversation came more fluidly with the former.

"They would have me sitting in an ivory tower watching the sunsets if they had their way," she remarked with an off hand wave of her hand.

"Shanthi spoke of your concerns," she added. "I thought it best if I came in person to discuss this matter with you. Its been what, five? six years? You look well. My condolences on the passing of your father."

Sato inclined her head. "He passed honorably." She said, shifting as a pair of servants offered Avantia a plate of traditional sashimi.

"His ashes were returned to Niihama, and scattered in his birthplace." She explained, stepping up from her throne.

"I don't trust these new Invictus, and I fear they will force me down a course of action that will ultimately lead to war." Sato said, the two Rocket Angels following her, until they were promptly waved down.

"The Invictus have been clear in their desire to deport us, and anyone else not native to this planet."

"The Invictus are only one of many," Avantia replied. "If they are genuine in their desire for Terra then they will not have the authority to make such a move. The voices of others will hold weight over theirs."

The servant was politely waved off for now as Avantia passed on the offer of food in favor of the discussion for the time being.

"I worry more for the future of Terra. It is still my belief that to thrive as a people, rather than simply survive, we need to stand united. Volary has been long secluded from the rest of the world, and we grew complacent in our aeries. We have suffered for that decision. The arrival of your people to Shintenchi has brought about a new age for mine, a direction I intend to maintain as Matriarch. It is my worry though that this new proposed regime for a reformed Terra is frayed before it has even begun, and I fear that it will as you say ultimately lead to civil war."

"If Civil war is inevitable, than surely Civil war will transpire." The Taiyou Shogun said, moving to look out the window at the sprawling city. "We're not alone, I have friends in the Nagama Shogunate, and the Taiyou Empire as a whole. We should meet the other Terran factions individually, and draw support away from the Invictus' line of thinking."

"If the situation is volatile as my advisers have reported to me," Avantia replied. "Then these efforts may be met with opposition, even hostility."

She folded her hands in her lap as she watched Sato move across the room to the window.

"It is not my wish to pursue a course that will ultimately end in civil war, but if we must then we would be unwise not to prepare ourselves in the event that war comes."

She looked to the pair of rocket angels that stood diligently within the room.

"The advancements your people have brought to this region have been vast, but our military technology is not sufficient. We are not a cowardly people though. If you outfit my soldiers with mechanized armor, they will be ready and capable should war come to Shintenchi."

Sato nodded, running a hand across her chin in thought. "I'll see what I can do, Perhaps I could outfit your warriors with a variation of Rocket Angel armor. It's not much but it's a start." She said, turning to face Avantia. "I'll pursue negotiations with the others before we decide on a course for war. But I will be sure to brief my staff on the situation. If we do have to fight a war, we won't fight it alone. I will try to find us some allies."

Sato moved to sit back down, staring out at the city. "We shall see." She said.

"In the meantime.. perhaps I will organize a Military parade, and we will see if this display of force can give pause to the others. We all share this planet, and should make the most of everything."

Sato rose back to her feet and she turned to Avantia. "Come, this way." She said, starting towards the exit.

Avantia rose to her feet inclining her head in thanks.

"Why don't we invite the other Terran factions to partake in the festivities of the parade," she recommended as she followed Sato from the room.

"A display of strength is best appreciated where it can be seen, and we can use the opportunity to discuss the future of Terra among them. It will be a good chance to learn more of these other factions and of their intentions."

Sato nodded. "That is a good idea, If you could, send messengers out to deliver the word. I would send my own messengers, but I fear they would be confused for Imperial Taiyou forces, and attacked."

Sato nodded. "But I will have letters dictated and mailed out in the morning."

"I understand," Avantia replied. "I will send emissaries in the morning."

"Did you wish to show me something?" she asked in response to Sato escorting them out of the chambers.

The pair of avorians that had accompanied her into the palace trailed a short distance behind Sato and Avantia.

Word reached Volary well ahead of the small infantry group that was making its way across the countryside. Tanks and armed men the reports spoke of, but not of Taiyou make or design. It was cause for alarm within the Capital, but their high walls and spires had long kept their people safe and this matter though a point of uncertainty was handled with relative calm.
'
"The last reports put ten men and two tanks just outside of Westmill," Kamil explained to Avantia.

The Avorian Monarch frowned from the window of the central spire that overlooked the city as Kamil continued to brief her on the reports.

"Take twenty of your men out to intercept them," she answered finally. "Regardless of their intents, we can't have them terrorizing the country side." She paused. "And take six of the rocket angels with you."

"As you command," Kamil replied with a bow of his head to the Matriarch.

The Captain swiftly departed the room to leave the Matriarch to her concerns in private. She and Sato had discussed the possibility of war coming to Shintenchi, but something didn't seem right about this. If this were hostile action from the mainland of Aslund, why so few?

Cameras were set up in Stryfe's office, a small crew to operate them standing by as they waited for the Invictus leader. Stryfe read over a few papers given to her by Sonia, giving the woman a slight nod. "I'll take it into consideration." Stryfe told Sonia, "No, don't just take it into consideration, implement it." Sonia retorted.

"We can do more with good science than we can do with developing or building weapons, new armor, tanks, ships." Sonia told Stryfe, "Think of all the people we can help defend themselves against people like the Aschen." Stryfe responded.

"The Aschen aren't the Soviet Union, Fatin. The Soviet Union was officially an atheist state, the Aschen are a theocracy. Do you really think a few new weapons to give you or someone the advantage will stop them?" Sonia asked, "Please, don't tell me you're this naive."

"Ready to roll, Kahuna." A crew member told Stryfe, "We're not done." Sonia said, moving to leave Stryfe's office as Stryfe herself headed to her desk to get in front of the camera.

Stryfe sat down at her desk, clearing her throat. "Okay, we're going live in ten." The director said to Stryfe, giving the woman time to make sure her black pantsuit was fitting perfectly.

"Rolling in three... two..."

Stryfe saw the red light come on, taking up a serious demeanor for the broadcast. "Good evening, people of Terra and anyone watching from abroad. It's been awhile since I have spoken to you, I've been a bit busy. But, I'm on your TV screens, your laptops and your tablets to assure that in the coming weeks things will change."

"For those unaware of who I am due to my reclusive nature, I am Fatin Alfarsi. I am one of two leaders of the Invixtus along with Mary Munroe. Mary is currently apprehending terrorist and murderer Jacob Haley, she'll be back soon." Stryfe said, leaning forward on her desk.

"Firstly, all of those who I have reached out to and those who have reached out to me. I ask that you come see me here at The Palace as soon as possible. We have much to discuss and I'd rather do it in person." Stryfe said, "I look forward to seeing you, I can't wait." She added.

"Secondly, for you people of Terra, I'm not a citizen. I've avoided becoming a citizen over the years, my position now as your de facto president has been stressful, controversial due to the fact that I am not a Terran. But, like you I have endured the pain caused by evil men and their evil weapons. The Aschen, the Taiyou." The Invictus leader explained, "I've fought with you, my friends and family have died with you." She said to the camera.

"I want you, whoever you are, to step up and endure again if we must. With the organization of the military and polices forces showing some promise, I think it's time we start to focus on government and social issues. I'd also like to extend an offer to you all to join the Invictus and aid from here in whatever way you can if you don't like too many restrictions on you."

The Invictus leader cleared her throat, "As for those government issues, I want those with experience and ideas, past and current politicians as well, to come see me and talk to me personally on the level. I'll listen and I'll do more than everything I can to help you." Stryfe promised, "If there are any social issues you wish to be taken care or paid attention to let me know as well. We can't have intolerance being spread, attacks on someone because of who, or what they are. We have a message to send."

"Everyone from Terra is Terran no matter their skin, or presence of fangs, or wings, height, or weight. A unified, equal opportunity Terra is what I want to leave behind my grandchildren if I ever get to around to having children to make me grandchildren." Stryfe said with a chuckle.

"Those who come to me to join the Invictus, I want to let you know that we are not just a military organization. We have a place for many skill sets, for people to learn things. If your interest is military, we can help you. If you'd rather support us and the people through the culinary arts, we can have you." Stryfe said, "Especially with Taco's cooking."

Stryfe was understating Taco's cooking. Nuke a can of spam and then cook it, you had Taco's spaghetti.

"I just want more people to step up and do what they can. We need you, we've always needed you. We need you now more than ever." Stryfe said, "I plead to you, aid this planet and restore it to greatness. Thank you and goodnight. Stay strong, Terra."

With those words the live broadcast ended, the footage probably going to go into syndication and clips reused by news channels.

General Allen had been sitting in his command vehicle on the outskirts of the city with a few other Joe Vehicles as they had been deciding wether on not to reenter the city to assist in the crisis when he saw the Invictus broadcast on one of his screens. "Scramble a chopper Captain Rudder is incharge of operations until I return and Lt. Jackson your going as my security." Allen said over the comms as he exited the vehicle. Nearby a chopper landed and the General and Lt. Jackson Boarded.

A few moments later the chopper was flying over the city toward the palace. "Palace this is Joe Chopper 34 requesting permission to land, We have General Allen on Board responding to your request for a meeting with your supporters." The pilot chirped over the comm link.
Allen unholstered his pistol and placed it in a storage box he knew that would most likely be taken for security measures. He turned to Will and spoke, "Lieutenant Stay with the Chopper and If I don't return you'll know this was some form of trap though I highly doubt the chances of that." He said chuckling, "It's time we cemented some new allies, allies who share our feelings about our enemies." He said with an emotionless face.

"Your compliments are well recieved," Shanthi replied with a knowing smile. Austin wasn't the first, nor the last visitor to Volaria to be stunned by its architectural beauty. "Though between you and me, it is far less spectacular when you have lived here your whole life."

"Come, the Matriarch is waiting for you," she added as she gestured for him to join her.

Shanthi flushed lightly at Austin's attentions as she ushered him on his way.

"It is not that I do not find it beautiful," she replied. "But it is not like your cities. Where you come from everything is so much more -" she paused and waved a hand as she tried to find the word she wanted. "The buildings and even the people are not the same. Each one is different."

She led them towards a set of double doors at the back of the hall where a pair of male avorians adorned in the loosely fitted white and gold piped uniforms of the Volarian Royal Guard stood ready to open them for Shanthi and Austin. The doors like the rest of the building were carefully sculpted with elegantly curved piped masonry interlaced together in an array of artistic designs.

The chambers that lay beyond were seemingly bare of furniture or decor, save for a large white table that had been set out to dine at with two low-backed chairs situated at either end. For all the spectacle of the city itself, it would seem the Matriarch herself wasn't much for theatrics. The only guards present appeared to be those that remained at the door.

"The Matriarch Avantia Kumara," Shanthi announced to Austin before bowing her head and taking a step back to leave Austin to approach.

Avantia herself rose from the table, gesturing for Austin to join her.

"Come, sit. Eat if you would." Her accent was thicker than Shanthi's, and her grasp over the common tongue of Aslund seemingly not quite as strong as the younger woman's had been.

The spread was woefully devoid of much in the way of protein save for a few selections of nuts, but it held a wide array of local fruit and vegetables that accounted perhaps for the seemingly culturally wide lithe statures of the avorians.

"Your majesty," Austin bowed at the waist as Avantia was announced, walking forward to the table and inspecting the various food on display. He would have been lying if he said that he wasn't hungry. Austin's citofacin disorder seriously accelerated his metabolism. The poor agent had never been 'full' in his life... only mildly contented. Still, he wasn't about to pig out in front of the world-leader of the collective Avorian people. He needed to stay classy if he hoped to represent the TNG well.

"I'm honored to be received so graciously," Austin smiled, resting a hand on the nearby chair, "and equally honored to finally meet you, Matriarch. This meeting has been long-delayed indeed. The Terran National Government extends its deepest apologies for having not reached out to you and your nation sooner." He would assume his seat, propping his elbows up on the table for a few seconds... before frowning and bringing them back down to his lap. Easy, Marshall, easy. You're playing with fire.

"I must say, your majesty," Austin continued, reaching out delicately towards the food, "flying in for the first time... seeing Volary with a bird's eye view as the sun was just beginning to set..." He popped a small date into his mouth, chewing twice, swallowing and smiling. "...breathtaking. Really." He laughed, an amusing thought suddenly flitting into his head. "Isweartogod, I felt like Dorothy looking out at Oz for the first time as she got out of that poppy field-" He paused in mid-speech, his brows furrowing. Citofacin had gotten the best of him. "...wait, do you get that reference?" He turned in his seat, looking to Shanthi briefly. "...is there a 'Wizard of Oz' equivalent in Shintechi? Maybe like, 'The Magistrate of Narita' or something like that..."

At Austin's back Shanthi listened quietly, seizing pauses in his words to offer translations for Avantia who listened attentively. If his extended rambling troubled her, she showed no sign of it save for the slightest raising of her brow in curiosity.

When she spoke again, it was in her native tongue. She occasionally punctuated her words with vague hand gestures, while Shanthi translated for Austin.

"The Matriarch thanks you for your words of compliment," Shanthi translated for Austin. "but says that such titles are not necessary. She also extends grievances for the lack of communication in the past. The Volarian people have long cloistered in their aviaries and the fault is not with you. She thanks you for your time in traveling to Shintenchi, and expresses hope that you come with more favorable words for our neighbors and allies than the one before you."