Al-Hazred (A New Era Location)

Al-Hazred, a large blue-green world orbiting a yellow-white star in a far part of the galaxy, a planet that has been a trade world for the Xindhi for over 10,000 years when an explorer found it.

Since then, the Xindhi have built one of their massive stepped pyramid castles as a center for their power. Slowly the Xindhi interacted with the native Hoop-kah people, teaching them civilization. In exchange for this, the Xindhi gained the experiences of the people; the great queen flowed and wove herself through the dreams of the Hoop-kah, understanding and expanding her knowledge, which she transferred to the eternally sleeping Xindhi.

Gradually over time, as the Hoop-kah advanced in technology, they learned to master space flight, expanding through their solar system, establishing small colonies on the habitable moons that orbited the larger planets. Before long, others, traders from other worlds encountered the Hoop-kah, and their skeletal protectors.

Today Al-Hazred is a bustling trade planet, with hundreds of species mingling on the world, trading with one another and with the Xindhi. The skeletal beings with archaic weapons are as common in the streets as the native blue-skinned Hoop-kah, to the point that many new to the world often assume that the Xindhi are native to this world as their history goes back as far as the Hoop-kahs.

The Hoop-kah themselves are not a war like people, they leave that to the Xindhi, who have protected them ever since the two races encountered one another. The Frostfire Knights can be found in the spaceports and on the smaller colony worlds of the Hoop-Kah, maintaining order.

The capitol city is Dun Caitsith the shining jewel among the Hoop-kah cities, a city on the crossroads of the multiverse, a city where anything that is, was, or will be has happened.

Dun Caitsith is a city in conflict with itself. With it's massive temples spanning acres of pristine land, parks, and gardens. Yet for all the exquisite landscape, the other half of the city is compose of gaudy and imposing towers. During the night, the towers of the cities technological districts glow brightly with neon that gives the city its multi-colored rainbow hues. However, at street level things are drastically different, the multitude of kiosks and street vendors harkens back to a medieval bazaar.

These contradictions are not limited to buildings and temples though, the attitudes of the Hoop-kah towards the life blood of their city, magic and technology, is anything but devout. It is divided evenly, and it is this division that has caused the most problems amongst the 30 million citizens. Among the mag-lev high speed trains and the massive space ports are wooden homes and villas reminiscent of a far simpler time.

Dun Caitsith city is spread over a dozen districts and the influence of either magic or technology is vying for power in all of them. The strength of magic still lies mostly on the outer wards of the great city, with the massive technology influences in the inner wards. However, the grand pyramid that houses the seat of government for the great city-state lies squarely in the center of the technology district. While the appearance of harmonious existence appears on the surface, the truth of the matter is that both magic and technological factions are striving to posses the city.

It is this desire that has led both factions to seek assistance from supporters and other civilizations, be it super-technological or hoary wizardry. In the last few months, the gathering storm of war has begun blowing softly. Forces of arms to the great city are slowly gathering in hidden places. From the envoys of the powerful battle fleets that lay in far-flung orbit in the outer system, to the number of companies of fantastic races that have begun appearing at the various "Gates" that are in the temple lands. This gathering of polar opposites has not always been amicable.

The Districts:

1) The Grand Pyramid- Dun Caitsith- Seat of Government, seated on 450 acres of land divided into four districts of bureaucracy.

2) The Eastern Temple Gardens, 1000 acres of pristine forested lands. These lands are sacred and a source of magical power to all who use mystical elemental energies.

3) The Umbral Shrine, a massive area of black basalt towers that stick out of the ground to dizzying heights of 1,000 meters. The technological factions because of the large amounts of massive mineral deposits that can be found here seek after these towers. The Hoop-kah has several mining operations here that have helped to set Al-Hazred apart as a much sought after mineral trade world.

4) Penumbra Station, the largest of the six-space ports that are in the city proper. Penumbra station is the only spaceport that can handle massive and super massive ships that have atmospheric capabilities. Because of this unique feature it is the busiest of the space ports in terms of tonnage of trade per day. The link to the Umbra orbiting station has more tonnage shipped everyday than the five other ports combined.

There are dozens of bars and taverns that line the sprawling spaceport for thirsty sailors to refresh themselves, as well as a slew of other businesses that cater to new comers to the world. One of the favorite space bars is the Gravity Well.

5) Zhan-Zhou District, the financial center of the city. The largest shops and markets are found here, dealing in everything from magical apparatus to technological wonders, and everything in between.

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Dun Caitsith, Throne Room:

Lady Drake frowned as the small bulbously mass quivered before her, the brilliant crimson energies roiled and flowed from her eye sockets. Seated as she was upon the large ornately carved obsidian throne, the skeletal Xindhi looked very much like a ghoulish queen, the heavy plate armor she wore, and the large two-handed sword completed the image.

"Are you sure?" rasped the figure, the voice ancient and hoary, the energies swirled and flared angrily.

"Yes Mi'lady, I have run the numbers several times and I am positive, we have recently had an influx of citizens from different planets and the population of the city has grown almost eight percent over the last quarter." Has'ja, the census director for the senate said quietly.

Lady Drake leaned back against her seat, her gauntleted fingers connected creating a pyramid with the digits, the energies flared and swirled in a dizzying display, as she appeared to sigh, "Has'ja, what do you think the senate will want me to do? I have offered to summon another legion of Xindhi to help keep the peace. But as usual that has been politely declined."

"Yes Lady Drake, I know…however the fact that there are more off-worlders now, and some of them armed, I think you maybe able to convince the senate." The quivering blue creature said, its large eyes focused intently on the figure seated.

Standing the tall, skeletal figure waved towards a small group of other Xindhi that milled about a short distance away, the armored figures moved with purpose towards the throne, Has'ja knew each of them, General Dalran, his aide Synjyn and the Aeryn, Jessi. The sight of them was frightening up close, something he never completely gotten used, but something he had to adjust to once he was appointed to the position of Census Director.

Peering down at the small, round Hoop-kah, Lady Drake bowed majestically, "Thank you Census Director, I need to confer with my council. I shall think upon what you have suggested.

Knowing the ancient and time-honored ritual, Has'ja bowed and said "Thank you Lady, may the dreaming Queen continue to seek understanding through me." Bowing he removed himself from the throne room, as he exited a large exhalation of breath escaped, he was shaking. He always had such a reaction when he encountered the dark lady alone, with out his assistants. There were more beings now than ever before, and it worried Has'ja that not all are peaceful.

Red Technocracy Embassy : Zhan-Zhou District

The embassy was open for business.

It was located on embassy row, between the defunct Eudemonian Embassy on the right, which currently stored administrative overflow from the technocracy, and the Trantorian Embassy on the right, a favorite target for NSD agents.

From the street, the Embassy was nothing more than a monolithic gray wall, with an equally monolithic gate, and a sign written in Common and Interlang, with Cyrillic undertexts. The gate was not at ground level, but instead led to a raised platform, which led to the ground via stairs. Two guards, clad in gray powered armor, stood to either side of it.

Dun Caitsith : Grand Pyramid

The outside of Dun Caithsith was an impressive sight in its own right. The gargantuan pyramid was coated in marble and golden gilt edges, one material transmuted from limestone, and the other easily transmuted from lead, a feat to some, but surely a commonplace practice for the Xinhdi. Despite its function as a head of government, and a place for people to work, it was surprising absent of windows and openings. Several colonnades led to the outside on each step, and four iron doors a hundred feet tall graced each exit, but that was it. There were no casual windows, or miscellaneous exits, or emergency exists, or any of the armatures commonplace to more... modern architecture. (If you don't mind, Skal)

Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov, a diplomat of the Red Technocracy, stood with his hands nestled inside the pockets of his gray trenchcoat. He was standing in front of the northern iron portal, on a raised platform sporting railings hung with strange, incredibly wiry vines. Two Xindhi guards stood at either side of the iron portal, dressed in iron platemail and holding menacing poleaxes with heads of a iridescent blue material. The diplomat nodded to the left side guard, who duly nodded back as a sign of 'yes, I'm alive' recognition.

"Cold morning, eh?"

The guard heard Timosha's comment, but remained motionless. 'It's all protocol' thought Timosha. He sneered at the guard. The guard was taken aback. His facial expression changed from complete nothingness, to an annoyed

The diplomat sighed, and strode over to one railing. He leaned against the wrought iron lattice, and stared up at the gray sky.

Timosha took a lighter and a pack of cigarettes from the inside of his jacket. He flicked open the pack, a crimson rectangle with a line of Cyrillic writing across its front, and gently slid a cigarette out with his thumb and middle. With a quick flick of his thumb, he closed the pack, and placed it back into his pocket. He flicked open the cap of his lighter, and pressed down on the ignition trigger, sending an inch-long flame into the air. He brought his cigarette to the flame, lit it, released the ignition, and placed the lighter back in his pocket.

He took a long drag from the cigarette, and then exhaled a cloud of smoke into the frigid air. The appointment he sought after was scheduled soon, and he hated the monotony of waiting outside in the winter weather. Hurry up, Xinhdi, hurry up. Timosha craned his neck skywards and stared at the very pinnacle of the stepped pyramid, and his mind wandered into absent speculation.

Lady Drake looked at her Escort General and her Lord Counsel; her voice rasped as she stared at them for a moment, "We have to make an effort to push forth the idea of another army to be garrisoned here."

General Dalran lowered his head, his fingers tapping on the dual war swords he carried, the brilliant blue energies that flowed in his eye sockets flared as he said slowly, "Lady, another army is what is needed; however there are elements in the Senate that will not allow us to do so. Already they feel the power of technology and feel they can protect themselves."

With a guttural growl the dark lady spun and slapped the heavy throne with a hand, as she did so, the sharp crack of plate armor against the basalt echoed in the vast chamber. "Do not remind me General, I am well aware that some of the Hoop-kah Senate feels they have achieved an empire through manifest destiny." The crimson energies flared and lit up the area, her anger was evident.

Synjyn rasied his hands and said softly, "We all are aware of the rumors that have passed through much of the technocratic faction; however I think we can add forces here without employing another army…per se." Seeing he had the attention of the others, Synjyn continued, "We can add with the Dreaming Queens consent elements of her own guard, the Aeryn and Cughtagh. Surely their presence will not upset the Senate, after all they are often seen in Caitsith, and none take notice."

Jessi cocked her head, the amber energies swirled as she spoke, "It is true. Cughtagh and Aeryn are passing through often to ride back to new worlds with the trading ships. However when you say elements, I assume you are talking a force equal to a cavalry wing?"

General Dalran spun and sputtered quickly, "A wing? A wing will give us what, perhaps another…"

"Enough!" Roared Lady Drake, "I will push to have another entire legion granted by the Senate. Until then I would ask that Jessi you seek permission from the Sleeping Queen for some of her guard. Yes, a wing is perfectly fine…for now."

"Mi'lady? I beg your leave; I have a meeting with a Diplomat from the Red Technocracy." Synjyn said softly, after all he was not chief diplomat for any reason, there were always alliances to pursue. Backing away slowly he bowed as the crimson energies pushed darshan over him, he knew she was resonating him, studying him.

"Very well, I shall need to speak to you after wards, I want to know how best to broach this subject with the Senate." The Dark Lady hissed as she waved a hand dismissively towards him.

Outer Walkway of Caitsith:

Outside, the door swung open, Synjyn, chief diplomat exited, the pale energies that swirled in the eye sockets illuminate the iron doors with a greenish glow. The plate armor clacked as the plates moved with each step. The man Synjyn was to meet leaned against a railing. Unleashing darshan resonace, the Xindhi allowed the energies to extend from his being so he could frame and focus on the man.

"Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov?" rasped an ancient voice as Synjyn approached him. "I am Lord Counsel Synjyn Drake, I apologize for having you wait here. Come shall we retire to my office and we can discuss your reason for this meeting?"

Without waiting for a reply, the Xindhi spun on his heel and began walking down the walkway towards another door that recessed into the wall, a door that had no guard, but a thin glowing film. As he approached, Synjyn dismissed the lock with a flicker of darshan energy. Upon reaching the door he opened it and waited patiently for his guest to enter.

That's me. Apology accepted.

Timosha flicked out his cigarette, and strode over the Xindhi representative; he was expecting someone more... modern, but his extensive diplomatic training would keep him from commenting based on person opinion, at least while the situation was formal. He extended a taunt hand to the Xindhi, the universal gesture for shake -- but the Xindhi turned on his heel and began along a walkway leading away from the iron doors.

Impressive building you have here-

What rudeness! What indifference! Timosha simply folded his hands in front ofo him, and followed the Xindhi. He, with the aid of his optical implant, took note of every fluctuation in energy, the structural detail of the structure, and anything else of noteworthiness. The darshan energy radiating from the Xindhi diplomat was instantly detected by his optical implant, and due to the ambient mazhinger radiation of the structure, categorized and separated into its own grouping. The colors, blue and green and orange and red, of the magical radiation blended into a kaleidoscopic image, which was just too damn annoying. Timosha sent a mental command to his optical implant, and it turned form mazhinger-scanning, to enhanced optical.

He followed the Xindhi inside the arcane shielding room, and found himself inside a basalt hallway. Almost immediately, his direct RF transceiver link with the embassy cut out, leaving only his ARCNET ansible systems to relay information. And even if the magics of this blocked FTL travel, he could simply shift his acquired data onto one of the many solid-state drives embedded within his cybernetic body.

To your office, I assume?

Timosha smiled courtly as the Xindhi diplomat, and waited his reply. So far, the Xindhi had come as rude, but now they just seemed indifferent, perhaps due to the their multitude of encounters with other races.

*ARCNET - A military channel of the UNINET, a technocratic Ansible communications network that spans the entire multiverse.

Once inside, Synjyn faced the man, it would be hard to tell if he was smiling, but the impression was given that he was. "Indeed Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov, this leads to my office."

Indicating with a nonchalant wave of his hand that they walk forward, Lord Counsel said, "Tell me Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov, how do you like the planet of Al-Hazred? I understand that your embassy is located near the now deserted Eudemonian building. I have not been to the embassy row for a while now; it is rare that ambassadors wish to deal with us directly. When they do they ask us to their sanctum." The Lord Counsel let that linger in the air a few moments as they continued their walk.

He was curious of course, the Red Technocracy had little if anything to do with the Xindhi, they had been courteous at political functions, but had never really seemed inclined to have dealings with the dreaming race. But then few of the delegations had any desire to have dealings with the Xindhi.

As they proceeded down the gloomy corridor, towards his office, Synjyn walked with a measured pace, the shifting of plate armor over the chain and leather gambeson echoed along with the metallic foot falls. The swirling energies cast an eerie glow along the walls, making odd shadows dance with every movement forward.

Nearing an intersecting corridor, there were three sarcophagi, within each lay a knight, the skeletal forms wrapped in the black and crimson armor of the Frostfire knights, their weapons lay with them. The darshan that roiled from the knights washed over both of them, it lasted a moment as the guards placed the Red Technocrat diplomat into the holon memory of the pyramid.

Reaching a heavy stone doorway, Synjyn motioned with his hand, silently the heavy stone door rose revealing a surprisingly large but sparse room. Light appeared to illuminate as a pale pinkish hue flowed along the dark walls. The image was surreal. There were several large obsidian chairs, high backed and a basalt table. Shedding the royal cloak and tossing it around the back of one of the chairs, the Lord Counsel turned to face the man, as he did so he removed his war swords and laid them against the wall.

Against one wall was a holographic map of the city and its various districts. Floating above it another map of the space platforms, and what seemed the far distant colony planets of the Hoop-kah.

Again the eerie feeling of a smile came from the skeletal visage, as Synjyn seated himself in one of the chairs, "Come let us talk freely, Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov, why have the Red Technocracy come to see the Xindhi?" There was a subtle change in the inflection from the raspy voice, once indifferent now there was genuine curiosity. The energies flared slightly as the swirling miasma in the eye sockets focused on the man.

Zhan-Zhou District, 0945 hrs, Earth Time

Jumut skulked through the streets, his prey a nearby Xindhi Police Officer. He had only recently pledged himself to Ansar, after living on Al-Hazred for as long as he had, he had never realized how the Xindhi had stolen it from his people, its rightful owners, the ones who had created civilization itself! He couldn't believe how ignorant he was before this, he thought the Xindhi were actually benign! Only now did he realize his ignorance, and only now did he realize his purpose in the eyes of Budd-Allah, to kill as many Xindhi, and these Hoop-kahs as possible, so that the Caliphate could retake this world, so that we could have another of our holy planets back from the infidels! For over 10,000 years it has endured under the infidels reign, for thousands more was it a holy site to the Budd-Islamic peoples! So he stalked his quarry, waiting for the moment in which he could strike in the bustling street, without the chance of hitting anyone else, and his chance came. From under his robes he drew his PP-2000, and archaic weapon, but it still can kill, and let loose the fury of Budd-Allah, the small rounds ripping into the creature, he fired until his magazine was empty, and as the officer was falling over, Jumut fled the scene, thinking he had done his daily duty...

---

Caliphate Embassy, Zhan-Zhou District, 0945 hrs, Earth Time

Leu-Irabet was awoken from his dozing by the sound of gunfire, he sat up from his less than honorable position on his desk, alert, before he realized the reason why the sound of the gunfire was muffled was due to it being outside... again. The guards were on alert, but Leu was back to the tedious task of reading over the reports and complaint files of Budd-Islamic Terror Attacks. Ansar did what it did for the good of the Caliphate, yes, but Leu would be much more happy if they did it on another planet, saving him so much trouble. Leu himself was a new assignment, his predecessor resigning after having to deal with the attacks and their repercussions. As if talking to a corpse without showing any sort of anxiety was bad, but now he had to explain to their provincial leader these terror attacks... His day was not going well. There would soon probably be another complaint coming in concerning the most recent attack, and along with it, another Xindhi official... He order a pot of Coffee, and with it, a very generous portion of Shisha Tobacco...

Timosha nodded to the Xindhi's comment, and followed along quietly. Beneath the silence, he was cataloging the entirely of the Great Pyramid, and compiling a hybrid map/technological manifest of the Xindhi. In seconds, the information gathered by his optical implant was processed through his cybernetic body and transferred to the ARCNET, where more advanced analytical programs made sense of it.

"Counsel, I've had a good time during my stay here. Your people have done a magnificent job of shepherding this world." Timosha was taken aback at the Xindhi's question, and hesitated, like there was something on the tip of his tongue. "Umm... I've got no explanation for you. I'm simply the Senior Diplomat, and I negotiate, not schedule."

Timosha seated himself in a chair opposite Synjyn, and folded his hands on the table. He leaned forward, and locked eyes with the Xindhi.

"If you really must know, my Xindhi friend, it's because the multiverse is coming down around our ears. You were at the conference, I recall, and you should know about the fall of Selekus. When Selekus fell, our allies went with them... like dominoes. The TSA, another magical race, just disappeared, and the Caldari imperialists, a nation we never liked, fell at the same time."

"In other words, we are looking for new allies." The diplomat sighed, and continued on with air of apprehension. "Normally, we would never ally with a magical race, as a manner of policy. But we find the Xindhi to be something unique."

---

UNINET Communication wrote:To : Caliphate Embassy, 1472 Embassy Row, Zhan-Zhou District, Dun Caitsith
From : Red Technocracy Embassy, 1032 Embassy Row, Zhan-Zhou District, Dun Caitsith
Subject : Xindhi Killings; Possible Suspects

Dear Buddislamic Caliphate,

We have taken note of the recent terrorist attacks on the Xindhi 'peacekeeping' agencies, and as such, are interested in collaborating with your government in order to prevent further attacks of this type.

The following document has been declassified for transference to foreign security agencies by the NSD,

Code: Select all

a) Disgruntled Hoop-Kah, or any local nationalist organization, who are intent on replacing the Xindhi government. As of yet, the NSD has reliable data on these organizations, and no proof of their existence.

b) Terrorists factions related to the Red Technocracy, intending to provoke a Xindhi response against us.

c) Terrorist factions within the Buddislamic nation itself, bent on reclaiming 'holy lands', and feel that the Xindhi have encroached on their territory.

d) Imperialist factions within the Trantorian nation, intent on driving the Red Technocracy from this planet, and oppressing the Hoop-Kah into economic slavery.

We hope, that with your full cooperation, we can reach the root cause of these terrorist attacks, and prevent any further from occurring.

Signed,

Senior Diplomat Arnold Putzkanner

Zhan-Zhou District


A nice quiet day, or how ever they'd call it. He was still jet-lagged from the bumpy, rapid Slipstream jump from god-knows-where.
"You want anything else, guy?" The bartender asked, Shea looked straight up into the inhuman species that questioned him. For some strange reason the language barrier wasn't much of a curse here.
"Yeah, I'll take anything. Make sure it don't kill me, please." He responded, his sagging eyes gliding back down to stare at the counter top while he swatted away a fly or two from the small plate of -- what appeared to be -- cashews. Popping the small alien vegetable into his mouth, he chewed quietly with closed eyes, taking several sniffs from the stuffy tavern air.
"Here ya' go, guy." The bartender returned, sliding a small glass across the counter and toward Shea. He ran a single finger against the weeks-worth of stubble along his jawline, while wrapping his tanned fingers about the glass and bringing it to his mouth, a small tap landed on the man's shoulder.
"Finish your drink? Tekkies want a word."




Zhan-Zhou District, Red Technocracy Embassy

"These fucks weren't joking when they said they had places everywhere!" Obannon smiled, closing the door to the old junker they had rented from a humanoid several days ago. The car creaked as the two other men exited the vehicle, one dusting his fine suit off while the other simply stared directly toward the building.
"Looks ... fancy" Rahm said, his chunky hands pulling the sunglasses from his eyes while Obannon and the other man started toward the Embassy.
"Come on, Rahm. We've got an appointment." Damon barked, the towering figure quickly followed the two as the group entered the Embassy.

Dun Caitsith- Office of the Lord Counsel.

Lord Counsel listened to Timosha Abramtsov Lukano, as he did so he felt a tug along the prana.

"Pardon me Timosha Abramtsov Lukano, one moment please." Before Synjyn had finished he was standing by the map, as he touched it swung and expanded until he was looking down on a street. The people all seemed to be moving and reacting as if they were alive, and indeed, they were for it was a real-time map composed of prana and darshan.

Turning back to the Red Technocrat emissary, Synjyn shook his head, "My dear Timosha Abramtsov Lukano. We are well aware of the disappearance of those races. It is why the Dreaming Queen is debating if we should as well retreat to our dreaming state and merely allow our presence to be known through the Cughtagh and Aeryn as it has always been."

The energies flared slightly, "We were brought to an awakened state by the threat of war that may have infringed upon the Great Sleeper, which was something we could not allow. Now that the potential of that occurring has diminished, the reasons to have so many of us awakened at one time have also lessened."

Pointing to the map, Lord Counsel Synjyn Drake, said, "Yet another attack on the foot soldiers who support the Knights. It is this constant attack we have faced that has made the Great Queen contemplate a withdrawal from this world."

Turning and throwing his sword belt around his armored hips, the Lord Counsel bowed politely, "Come Timosha Abramtsov Lukano, walk with me to Embassy Row, I seek to understand the scene in person."

With that the armored diplomat extended a hand towards the door which had slide upward silently. The blue energies swirled and flared a moment before settling into pin pricks of light, focused on the Red Technocrat.

Timosha listened attentively, making small mental notes about the status of his mark, and his subsequent nation, as Synjyn talked on.

“If you don't mind, my Xindhi friend, I'll like to use your map for a moment.”

The view of embassy row was too good to pass up. Not only would it give him an update on events back home, it would allow him to judge the ability of the Xindhi to watch this planet. He strode over to the map, centered the map upon his embassy with a clumsy hand motion, and zoomed using a drawing inwards motion of his extended middle and index fingers on both hands.

The scene of Damon and Obannon, exiting from one of the innumerable Junkers that clunked and sputtered along the streets, was visible to Timosha in the flickering blue display. His optical implant recorded the image, processed it, and spent the data out with a thought. The thought and image traveled along the ARCNET, was routed into his sector, and then was routed again to the Technocratic embassy. All in all, the action of centering and map, gathering data, and transmitting said data took roughly a second.

There was no need to inform the Xindhi on matters beyond what was supposed to be known – Timosha gave the map a spin with his index finger, and then faced the Xindhi. Even if he was watching, there would be no indication of information gathering. He would give the semblance of playing with the device, with a curiosity inherent to mankind.

“Ingenious. How does it operate-”

Timosha was cut short by the Xindhi’s comment on visiting embassy row. He curtly smiled at the man, thing, whatever, and walked towards the now open door.

“Lets.”

As they entered the hall, the diplomat scooted close to Synjyn, and lowered his voice by several decibles.

“The war had a similar effect upon us- but, not so much in causing a military buildup- believe me, our peacetime military is powerful enough. It entrenched out security establishment.”

Timosha paused for a moment, taking that time to deactivate the ansible transceiver implanted into him.

“Thankfully, that entrenched security apparatus has worked wonders for our criminal problems. Right now, we have several dossiers on your ‘problem’. Do the Xindhi have any means of electronic communications? Or perhaps, some means of converting them to material formats?”

---

The menacing gates of the embassy slid open without a sound…A guard gestured for Damon and Obannon to come in. Inside, there was a faux-marble colonnade, with myriad doors leading to other parts of the embassy. Guards stood at attention along the walls, and men in military and civie’ dress strode on their merry way.

As Synjyn and Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov walked, the young diplomat was speak about the security of his people,

“Thankfully, that entrenched security apparatus has worked wonders for our criminal problems. Right now, we have several dossiers on your ‘problem’. Do the Xindhi have any means of electronic communications? Or perhaps, some means of converting them to material formats?”

With a slight flaring of his energies, the Lord Counsel turned his head slightly, the pale light washed over the man, "My dear Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov if your surveillance of my office and the interior of our pyramid haven't divulged some of our capabilities, I suppose I should answer your question." Even as the Lord Counsel was speaking the information that had been resonated through the holon by the Cughtagh Skallagrim reached him.

Stopping Synjyn seemed frozen, the energies that swirled and flowed from his eye sockets increased in intensity, giving off a noticeable amount of heat. The light was so dazzling and brilliant that it nearly concealed the skeletal visage.

"Shu'fasa…" rasped the Lord Counsel, his fist clenched and instinctively grasped the hilts of his weapons. Ahead several of the foot soldiers carrying pole arms and what appeared to be musket type weapons slung on their back trotted by, followed shortly by two dozen black and red clad knights, their billowing cloaks added to their grim visage.

Turning towards the diplomat, Synjyn said rather forcefully, "Forgive me, I must ask you to leave, we have an incident that must be attended to. Come I shall lead you to an exit, you understand of course the protocol of security. Perhaps we can resume this conversation at a later date, Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov?"

Quickening his pace, the Lord Counsel led the man through a suddenly large gathering of Xindhi; the diplomat would have been able to easily denote the various types of armor that seemed to differentiate the various forces. The chain mail in a neutral gray color seemed to be normal foot soldiers; the intricate black and red plate armor seen on the Frost Fire Knights and was the armor that the Lord Counsel wore. There were a few Xindhi wearing dusky black armor with heavy black and lavender cloaks. These seemed to be what in modern military terms would be elite or Special Forces types.

Passing through a heavily manned sally port, the Lord Counsel waved to the troops there having the four-foot thick doors opened, turning he faced the human again, "Forgive the intrusion of our discussion."

Grinum arrived in the weird world in a big market district. "Well i guess im here time to look for my two prey." Grinum said this to himself while walking to a nearby fruit stand.

"Hey where am I?" Grinum stood there looking at the weird blue alien as he looked out of breath. "Oh your amazed at my entrance." The alien nodded to him yes. Grinum then looked around to see some of the people also looking at him.

"*sigh* Looks like i made a scene already." Grinum turned back around "So where am I? What planet I mean." The man slowly told him he was on Al-Hazred. "Thanks."

Grinum looked at the hologram again and saw he was in the Zhan-Zhou District. "Time to search." Grinum walked through the market looking at all the blue aliens and in some places skeletal gaurds with midevil like weapons. They all looked at him in a weird way too. "Soon Ill find Synjyn and Timosha and i can get out of this weird place." Grinum said to himself under his breath.

Grinum decided to sit down at a restaruant nearby at an outside table. "What can i get you... mister?" Said a blue woman as she approched him. "Ill have a drink of... How do you pronounce this? What ever Ill just have water." Grinum sat in await while looking around trying to find his bounty.

"Here you go sir." Said the blue woman "Thanks." Said Grinum as he was preoccupied in his search.

Dun Caitsith

"Perhaps we could!" exclaimed Timosha as he flattened himself against the wall to make way for hurried Xindhi warriors. He straightened up, dusting off his greatcoat out of habit.

The diplomat smacked his chest with a rigid left palm and said, "I look forward to meeting you again," before being escorted out by a miraculously appeared aide to the Lord Counsel.

"Bye!" Timosha smiled and waved politely to the Xindhi aide, who hastily closed the great obsidian door as Timosha left. The greatcoated diplomat slipped into the streets, and while working his way into the crowds, he cocked his pinkie finger and intoned into his throat mic, "Something big just happened at the Xindhi Embassy. Lock down until we get more details, over."

Technocracy Embassy

Immediately after passing through the twelve-foot metal gates the separated the embassy from the street, the Coalition's fifty-twos would find themselves in a small courtyard. It measured twelve feet to a side with three feet of elevated garden to the left and right. A stairway, flanked by walls that gently curved inwards, led to the embassy proper. There was a blond haired woman in military day wear, standing at the top of the steps with folded hands.

"Come on in. We've been expecting you," announced Lyska, gesturing specifically towards a hemispherical outcropping in the embassy facade. A cylinder, inlaid with a tile mosaic depicting industrial workers and framed by striped caution lines, seemed to sit inside the outcropping.

Their host bounded up the stairway from the courtyard and slid open a small metal panel next to the outcropping. A gruff voiced echoed through, asking, "Are they-", only to be cut off by Lyska, "Yes, open up,"

The outcropping grumbled and rotated, revealing itself to be a cylinder of metal with a third of its area removed. Lyska stepped into the cramped security door, taking care to not stumble on the stubby, elevated guide tracks. The Coalition mooks presumably followed, squishing in beside the gorgeous Technocratic diplomat. The massive cylinder's guiding servomotors grumbled and it began to turn. "Oh don't worry, it's much more spacious inside," Lyska commented and laughed reassuringly.

"Code Three Lockdown Initiated," blared speakers across the compound, just as the door was halfway done rotating.

"Just a second, you came at a... really bad time," echoed a tinny voice across their confined space. The servomotors grumbled again, pushing the door to complete its rotation. Lyska stepped out, gesturing for the men to follow. They were at the beginning a long hallway that ended for the lenght of the compound. Clear glass doors, stamped with names like Visa Office, Immigration, and Consul, lined the extent of the corridor; several of these doors were covered by steel blasters. At the end of the hallway was a set of metal double doors. Interns and military personnel and crisply dressed embassy staff shuffled to and fro from office to office, carrying papers and coffee and expressions of urgency.

"So, do you three want something to eat beforehand?" questioned Lyska, motioned towards the door stamped with cafe. It reflected a harsh glare under the geometrically arranged florescent lighting. "Or I could just take you to the Counsel's office."

((Just a note Victim130 since you don’t know about the Xindhi, they don’t serve food, they are called the Eternal Dreamers for a reason, unless they are awoken by the Dreaming Queen they slumber. They also wear archaic armor and carry medieval weapons.))

Dun Caitsith:

Lord Counsel Drake stepped quickly towards the grand chambers, the energy swirling wildly as he entered.

In the throne room, a swirling chaos of energies flared as several Xindhi discussed the note, seated above them in the massive basalt throne; Lady Drake thumped her skeletal fingers on the arm of the throne.

“Well?” She rasped as the noise seemed to die down enough for her to interject. “What of this Castle Cadremus?” Several of the Xindhi turned towards her, the energies in their eye sockets flared then coalesced to pin pricks, “We are not sure lady, we believe it to be a magical nexus, by the wording it is not technological as we reckon it.”

The dark lady stood swiftly, the plate armor flashed in the multicolored glow as she stepped rapidly down the steps and among her advisors. “Tell me, the Dreaming Queen, will she savor this experience? Will it allow her greater understanding of the multiverse?” Several of the counselors nodded, then an arch-druid spoke up, "Indeed milady but whom shall go to experience it?" Another nodded, "Yes it would have to be an envoy and not an Cughtagh or Aeryn, it must be one of the counsel." Lady Drake lowered her head, it was true, this was an offer of diplomacy, and as such only who had that authority could represent the Dreaming Queen. "I cannot go..." rasped the Dark Lady.

“I can go milady, I can be the great queen’s envoy to judge this Castle Cadremus.” As Lady Drake whirled to see who spoke, the others who stood around her parted slightly as Synjyn stepped from the gloom. Lady Drake peered at Lord Counsel Synjyn Drake, the crimson energies in her eyes swirled chaotically as she drew her self upright, “Of course Lord Counsel, I would expect nothing less than such a gesture. You shall have a Cughtagh and Aeryn to escort you.” The Lord Counsel bowed and raised a hand, “My Lady, I would be honored to have such along with me.”

Lady Drake turned and moved slowly back to her throne, as she sat down the other counsels moved to their smaller high-back chairs, taking seats as the Lord Counsel stood before them all. “I believe I am entitled to my own personal escort am I not?” Casting the brilliant crimson energies towards him, the glow increasing until it bathed the Lord Counsel, “Of course you are I suspect that the added power of a Cughtagh and Aeryn would augment your guards.”

Nodding then bowing low, Lord Counsel said, “Indeed they would, I accept and if you have no further need of me milady, I bid you my leave that I and my retinue may leave.” With a dismissive wave the Dark Lady returned to slumber as she framed the event in the holon for the Dreaming Queen to experience and understand.
Lord Counsel left the chambers as he did so he comprised a message and dispatched a messenger to Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov:

“My friend I have been dispatched to represent the Dreaming Queen at Castle Cadermus, however I look forward to our next meeting. I think I shall break protocol and let you know, an ancient enemy of ours has reemerged from the deeps of space. The Shu’fasa, I would warn your fleets to be wary of any vessels they may encounter in space.”

After the missive was completed, it was sent by an official Xindhi runner to the Red Technocracy Embassy.

Technocracy Embassy



The courtyard was, extravagant to say the less. A deep sigh came from Rahm as he took in the expanse of the embassy. Damon cackled to himself lightly as he passed in behind the Oriyak.
"Ain't never seen pretty things like this, huh, Rahm?" He joked, a grin spreading across his face before he looked up to the woman speaking.
""Come on in. We've been expecting you" Damon heard, his mouth gaping down lightly as he watch the pretty little girl in big boy clothes scale the stairway. Obannon moved forward and began to follow her, patting the star-struck Damon on the shoulder.
"Calm down, boy." He smirked widely. Rahm followed behind, his hulking shoulders tensing as he giggled to himself.
"Silly Azrik."
Jared Obannon, Keligiere Rahm, and Marcos Damon all began to scale the staircase behind the Tek. Obannon looked around the facade of the Technocratic Embassy, Rahm simply stared off into the sunlight while Damon fixed his eyes on the sweet little girl leading them around.
"Hey, Obannon, I'm likin' the little Tekkie over there -- " Damon was cut off as he grabbed hold of Obannon's shoulder and whispered into his ear.
"I don't want the Tek girl, Damon. You sure Rahm doesn't want a pretty little girl?" He mocked, looking back towards Rahm who was staring into the sky as they walked.
"Dude, the guy's got about as much brain function as a rock." Damon grunted angrily, but smiled at his victory. The trio met up with the Technocrat, who may or may not have heard the three mens debate, and quickly began to fidget with a small panel.
"Are they -- "
"Yes, open up." The woman responded as the small panel gave way to a cylindrical entrance. The three Scatterans looked to one another, and then to the opening. Haphazardly, the three men stepped forward. Rahm first, followed by Obannon, and finally Damon, who found himself beside Lyska. The woman turned to the side as the servomotors began to churn, missing Damon folding his hands across his chest and staring upwards, as if to thank a higher power for his placement. When the small space stopped working, however, and the alert was sounded, Damon cringed lightly.


"Oh don't worry, it's much more spacious inside," The Technocrat laughed lightly as she reassured, Damon rolled his shoulders lightly, brushing against the smaller woman as he flashed a slight grin to the girl.
"I'm fine with sitting in here with you ... Tight spaces are fun." He grinned widely, Obannon met the statement with a quick swat. The Azrican leaned to the side and smacked Damon up the chin as he grunted.
"Bad Damon." He pointed. The man holding his chin and looking to the other like a struck puppy.
"I'm sorry, he just likes his girls." Obannon reassured, smiling lightly. The small tourniquet activated once again to reveal a large office floor. Damon sighed as he followed behind slowly as Obannon and Rahm fought against each other to move forward.
"Rahm, this isn't going to work, you're a fucking tank." Obannon argued, while Rahm groaned lightly and stepped back to allow Obannon out.

"So, do you three want something to eat beforehand?" Damon nearly jumped at the statement, leaning forward with one hand offered to the Technocrat as he spoke.
"Coffee? With you? That sounds like a great -- " Damon was cut off by Obannon as he stepped forward, brushing Damon to the side.
"We'll ... just go to the Counsel's Office." Obannon returned, before shooting a grim scowl toward Damon. "Let them now it's Jared. Jared Obannon."

Grinum drank his water and sat the glass down. Grinum then pulled out his hologram and looked at the city again. "Hm if only i had an idea of where they are. Hey waitress!" Grinum yelled at the blue alien woman that was serving him. "Yes sir?" "Who's the Red Technocracy?"

The woman pointed towards down the road and said "That building is there embassy." Grinum got up and made his way to the building in a slow walk making sure there wasn't going to be a fight that might break out just by him showing up.

Grinum arrived at the gate to the embassy. "Um hey could i come in to see the man who goes by the name Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov?!" Grinum waited for an answer.

A cavalcade of thunderous hooves filled the air along Embassy row as people and vehicles scrambled to move out of the way of the on coming rider. As the sounds approached the Technocracy Embassy they seemed to intensify then slowly fade to nothingness only to be replaced by a jingling of metal and a padded sound of boots.

“How fortuitous…” rasped a voice near the one called Grinum as a wash of brilliant magenta light cast eerie shadows near him, “I have come to see Timosha Abramtsov Lukanov as well. I bear a missive from the Lord Counsel to him,” said the Xindhi as he came to rest near the human who had just asked for the diplomat before continuing onward in his task, the whole while framing and locking the image of the man in the holon for future reference by the dreamers.

Meanwhile across the city, Skallagrim was in pursuit of the suspected Shu’fasa assassin, making his way towards the great spaceport, the energies around him thrumming, seeking an ages old enemy.

Deep inside Dun Caitsith Lord Counsel Drake and his escorts were assembling for their journey to this Castle Cadremus, a journey that would bring new experiences for the dreaming queen to feast. Even as he planned for the diplomatic meeting, all around the Frostfire Knights were preparing for war, the Shu’fasa had once again emerged from the dark, had once again reared their hideous strength for a battle against the dreamers.

Technocratic Embassy

Grinum's voice activated a carefully disguised holographic projector. What appeared was the Vitruvian man's spitting images sans genitalia, standing with its hands folded behind it. The hologram moved its jaw soundlessly, while the tinny simulacra of a masculine human voice resonated from around the platform, "Please state your reason for contacting the Senior Diplomat."

No matter what response Grinum gave, he would receive the same holographic recording of Timosha. The three-d image stood with holds folded and said, "Hello, I'm not around right now. Please leave your message, name, and contact information. I'll try and get back to you." It paused, waiting for the assassin's response. It would then turn to the Xindhi and restate Timosha's message.



The sound of clanking boots could be heard in the distance. It intensified, reaching a crescendo as several Technocratic soldiers , clad in black cloth and sporting maroon berets, made their up a twisting spiral stairway set into the middle of the lobby. They hastily exited from the stairway, clearing the lobby and barreling through the double doors leading to the interior of the compound.

Lyska made a fleeting glance at cadre and then turned her attention back to the boorish men. "If you insist; right this way," she said, waving his open palm towards the door marked General Counsel Gerichal Linakov. Her metal soled boots clanked on the floor as she walked; they were something far from seductive high heels.

As the three stepped into the Counsel's office, Lyska absently remarked, "And just so you know, I'm married."

"I have urgent information i must share with you in secret. As for my name it is Grinum. If you wish to contact me I will stay at the inn, Hence's Tavern just to the right from here. Grinum was only looking around to a find an inn as he had no time before now to look for a place to stay.

Grinum walked away with his sword still tied to his side and his two guns hiden within his light brown robe. His sword was almost 3 feet long.

Grinum made his way to the tavern he had spotted before. "How much for a room?" Grinum continued to walk to the counter in await of his answer. "It lookes like your not from this planet and a room here is 10 ruble." the man started to laugh at Grinum as if he was poor.

"Alright how about I throw in 500 universal credits instead, and food of course." Said Grinum. "Sure, heres your key. Ill start your food now. What do you want?" Said the owner "Whatever you think is good, Ill eat it no matter what. Grinum headed up to his room. He looked at his key and saw the number three. Once he got inside he hid his guns under the bed and put his sword on the bed next to him as he laid there in await for his food and Timosha.

OOC: Hopefully this works.

The mark strode right past his assassin. Timosha passed Grinum as he was recording his message, turned, and then nonchalantly said, "Oh, you wanted to speak to me?'

The same went for the Xindhi, to which he jovially laughed. "Well, I've got a crowd after me today. Just a second man, I've got to take this down." He blinked, triggering neural impulses that would activate a solid-state storage device in his cranium. "My friend I have been dispatched to represent the Dreaming Queen at Castle Cadermus, however I look forward to our next meeting. I think I shall break protocol and let you know, an ancient enemy of ours has reemerged from the deeps of space. The Shu’fasa, I would warn your fleets to be wary of any vessels they may encounter in space."

"Thank you, friend of the Technocracy." Turning back to Grinum, he said, "So what did you want?"