Éclaire Hanley's Story

---

Golith drummed his fingers across the arm of his throne as several other officials mulled about he floor away from his position. Taking note of several lights that popped up and gave warning. They would approach panels on the floor, that beamed a holographic pedestal in front of them. Interacting with this projection, they could affect and adjust things from their perspective and Golith just watched from his seat as they did so. While they spoke among one another and discussed, proper lines of action.

The strange creature had returned to his side once more and was now holding a small silver tray with scattered treats set on its surface. Golith would reach forward and take one, eating in with nary a word between him and the strangely laprinial creature. Though from time to time, he would caress the top of her head and she would swoon as she did before.

The creature was barely the size of a normal human and clad in strange clothes. Thick leather bindings that encased a majority of her head and chest. As well as heavy silver bangles that wrapped both forearms and thighs, causing the dim light to reflect at awkward angles from time to time. Her feet were digigrade, boasting a separate section of lower leg, adding too her look of appearing nearly rabbit like in nature. A single thin strip of cloth covered her sex, shielding what little modesty there could be had in that kind of outfit. As well as a thin buckled collar that held snug around the neck. Both, appearing to be the same color as Golith's own robes.

As he smiled with a small sense of delight at the treat he was offered, several small lights glint across his face and he recognizes this as the navigators dial to contact him. "Yes Navigator, what is it?" The same familiar voice chimes in quickly.

"Master, I am detecting several ships relocating towards our general position. Intercepted subspace contact reveals them to be ships drawn a detection of our gating procedure. Golith smile widened as he heard those words and responded. "Well, its good to see that they have at least advanced that far. What do you have on those ships?" He returns as he shits to lean towards the front of his seat.

Several small chirping beeps of an overhead light, no longer in length then a second pass by and the Navigator returns. "It appears to be two separate fleets master, registered in their archives as both the Inner Knowledge and Righteous Vigilance. Both containing nearly seven thousand ships together, with a mixing of grades from within their sphere of technology." Golith pays attention too his Navigator for long enough, that his strange pet is berating herself of his hand. Mewling as she brushes against it, like a placated cat. "Nothing salvaged from us I take it?"

"No master, I appears they may be at the cusp of seeing us, but not grasping. The only vessel that poses some threat, if any, would be Gaia's child." Golith rolls his eyes for a moment as he wrestles his hand from the grasp of his pet, shushing her as she gives a plaintive reach for it in return. "Prepare for a full sweep of the entire system, search every nook and cranny.. leave nothing unseen, from without and within the void. The Navigator complies, charging up the Obelisk pulse array as it now prepares to fire off a vast, mapping pulse of multi-wave energy.

One official makes his way towards Golith's platform and speaks. "The ships will be rounding the crest of the moon soon, making it possible for them to see us. That is, if one of them is happening to be looking out a port hole at the time." Some of them start to laugh at the thought and another official chimes in. "Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if their ships still run on a fossil fuel, or coal for that matter." The laughter builds for a moment before Golith waves a hand to dismiss their banter and they all shut their mouths collectively.

He sits back in his seat and speaks "Navigator, on my mark. Fire the pulse... and.. Mark." No reply from the Navigator was needed, triggering the ships pulse was called and delivered. From outside, the whole of the ships hull shined a vibrant yellow before the light burst outward. The resulting force was enough to permanently mark the moons surface with a crater, growing several thousand miles in diameter and pushing a wave of debris across its surface.

The wave visually vanished after several kilometers, but its effects could still be felt and the approaching ships inertia dampeners were jostled with a stiff kick. The now visual absent wave carried out through the vast reaches of space, filling and mapping every section of every fiber it touched. Even advanced systems, were jostled for a moment, when their receptors were hit by the pulse in turn and it quickly rummaged through their systems. Grabbing up information like a ravenous fire, set in the midst of a forest of dried kindling.

Golith looked at a holographic console that extended from the arm of his throne and looked as banks of information spilled onto its screen. Diagrams of ships, their names, their crew counts and their crew names all became listed. Even more private data became available on closer inspection as blood type, brain chemistry and physical health were all cataloged. The listing carried over too the planets as well, mapping just as much detailed information as possible and growing as the wave continued.

A pair of ethereal eyes watched Kyrian closely, though whoever was watching could not be perceived, the planeswalker was being studied intently. Aside from the feeling of being watched, nothing else seemed to occur.

----

The defense that the Data world exhibited would have performed admirably against the Singularity Cannon if the weapon had ever actually fired. However there was a charge time between when the charge was initialized and when the weapon would be fired. Hanley had also given Kyrian Vox a ten minute warning to vacate their star system.

In reality she was biding her time, waiting for the elements of the Fleet of Inner Knowledge, and the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance to filter in system before the FTL Inhibition array was initialized. This would prevent the Dataworld from leaving the third dimension, and make it vulnerable to the Aschen when they did decide to open fire.

The final elements of the two new fleets jumped in system, flickers of spatial energy signalling their arrival one by one, Aschen forces nearly fifteen thousand ships strong between the fleets of the Imperial Defense Force, the Fleet of Inner Knowledge, and the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance.

Hanley checked the clock, before the shipboard AI spoke up.

"Unidentified energy surge coming from behind the moon, additionally, the Underlundians have evacuated the Xenos."

The Admiral made a face, before she once again opened a transmission towards the Data World.

"I don't care about the refugees, I care that someone decided to waltz some giant battlestation into Imperial Space. I have to consider the defense of the Aschen People above your wants and needs. I have no desire to board your ship, nor do I have a desire to interact further unless you can get off your high horse and interact with us in a meaningful manner. As of now however, you have demonstrated yourself to be a threat to the Empire. It is my job to ensure that threats to the safety of the Empire are neutralized." Hanley spat before she terminated the communications.

At this moment the Imperial Defense fleet maintained combat readiness, weapons locked onto Arkvaes and poised to fire. However the Aschen fleet did not fire a single shot, at least they won't yet unless Kyrian continues to provoke them further.

---

As the obelisk like vessel fired off it's pulse array, it's crew would find that the wave washed harmlessly over the shields of the approaching Aschen fleet, and as a consequence would be unable to attain information within the shield itself, or intrude on any of the shipboard systems.

Each individual Imperial Aschen ship was protected by a vast swathe of electronic countermeasures, sophisticated AI systems, and skillful defensive coding. Even if the strange pulse somehow managed to get through the shields and interface with the ship's systems, the Obelisk would get minimal information from the Imperial vessels, publicly available information such as ship names, service histories, crew counts, basic schematics and capabilities, command staff, port of origin, and some rudimentary information on the Aschen Empire itself.

Information that revealed the Aschen Empire as powerful, advanced, and extremely ruthless, but diplomatically approachable if a few protocols were followed.

However classified and private information remained obscured from this deep scan by careful AI Protection, Golith was able to see only what the Aschen allowed him to see.

The Tria was a different matter entirely. Reality itself lensed as the wave approached it, and washed harmlessly around the strange ship. Golith would recieve nothing with his scan from this mystery ship. Only visuals could discern roughly what it was, and perhaps lend to who built it.

The energy wave was hardly felt by those on-board, but registered by the shipboard AI's of each vessel. Whom subsequently informed the ship commanders, and the approaching Aschen fleet began to go into combat readiness.

At that moment, 50,000 kilometers away from the strange Obelisk vessel, a ship unlike any of the Aschen vessels flickered in out of nothingness. It's angular, ancient construction contrasting with the sleek, bulbous design of the Reverences, and the robust, intimidating designs of the Iconoclast ships, and other newer ships of the line.

This vessel was the Tria, an Alteran ship constructed nearly a million years ago, and having withstood the test of time to be one of the Aschen Empire's most valuable assets.

Orlin McGregor, seated in the control chair of the Tria along with his crew let his mind consider this vessel before him, before a neural link opened up a communications channel.

"Unidentified vessel, this is Rear Admiral Orlin McGregor of the Tria, I see you attempted to scan our fleet. Please identify yourselves and state your intentions immediately. Orlin stated, as the Tria began it's own scans on the alien vessel before it. Deep penetrating scans that were designed to look for life signs, analyze the power source and drive systems. In addition to comparing it to the vast database the Alterans had kept.

While this was underway, Orlin's mind formulated a tactical scenario, and the ship eagerly began to respond, it's powerful shields raised as it approached the alien vessel at combat speeds. While this was underway, Orlin allowed his mind to wander, as his highly advanced mind considered the very nature of the universe, and reality itself became pliant to his will. Amplified by the Tria's neural systems, the ship appeared to distort the fabric of reality around it.

The remaining two Aschen fleets held back around the moon, their systems locking on the Obelisk one by one. Orlin however had transmitted specific instructions, to hang back and allow the McGregor to attempt to make peaceful contact.

Hanley's fleet continued to monitor the situation, with Claire refusing to answer the transmission from Kyrian, as her shipboard AI was addressing the newer threat on the other side of Blackrock.

The crew of the CIC of the Esteem were still tensely watching DRADIS Scans of the Data-World, while some were watching linked scans from the Tria, and the other two Imperial fleets.

The Planck field was also erected by the Watchtower, which meant that all forms of Dimensional Shifting, Teleportation, and FTL travel would be impossible within the influence of the field, and it would be required to escape at sub-light speeds before teleporting out.

Hanley on the other hand was still quite stressed, the shipboard AI was providing readouts of the large sphere's defense systems, and with the capability it demonstrated to phase in and out dealt with by the Planck packs, perhaps Kyrian would be willing to listen to reasoning.

Kyrian Vox

When the mysterious ship sent out it's scan across space, Kyrian was astonished. It was so similar to the Data Worlds own scanning technology that it was probably alike the rest of the world as well, and could get past the shields. Kyrian didn't mind however, and even unlocked all of the data storage units for recorded data. Inside the data banks of Arkvaes was a near endless supply of information gathered about the entire multiverse, and other dimensions even. The eons of information went back further than most people realized, having existed since before the multiverse was even a figment of some gods imagination. The extreme multitude of information could only be stored even in a ship the size of a small planet through extra-dimensional Dyson-ring storage. Not only was this Data Worlds information stored here, but a quantum connection to the other remaining Data Worlds allows even more information to be accessed.

When the scan hit Arkvaes all this information flooded the ships computer systems all at once. Even if they too had a quantum storage unit to hold all the information there was almost no way they could open up enough bandwidth to take it all in at once. Along with the information was also a section on dormant super-viruses of history and by downloading the file the viruses would be released into the systems at one time. There was even a small chance that the mysterious ship, know having all this information would "grow" it's own consciousness, like Arkvaes itself.

Kyrian however was interrupted by the Aschen sending him a rather rash ultimatum. Kyrian's temper broke and he turned to the transmission, cutting the commander off mid-sentence. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to? How dare you call Arkvaes a "battleship". This is the greatest library in existence, older than this entire dimension! You should be ashamed to have even pondered about shooting at it. Do you even know what would happen if this ship was destroyed? You ignorant humans even called in the entire Aschen Fleet didn't you? And now you are being watched, your nation is defenseless against it."

Be "it" he was of course referring to the mysterious ship which had just scanned them. Kyrian shut down the computer banks so the Aschen scan of his ship wouldn't pick up the same thing that the mysterious ship had from his systems. That is, if the Aschen scan could even get through his ship's consciousness. Their scan of the Spark within Arkvaes would read like a strong living being. Their scan of Kyrian himself would yield his genetic structure was almost human, yet he was immortal and had a strong aura of will around him. They would also note his nerves were degrading from the consumption of large amounts of caffeine.

It was about now that Kyrian felt another magic user entire the area. He entered from another dimension if Kyrian could feel him correctly, and immediately Kyrian wished to meet him. It was rare another planeswalker, artificial or natural, come into contact.

---

The great hall of Golith's ship lit up as they were accosted by the arriving vessel and he looked on with trepidation as its form was displayed in a clear visual view. Only for a small smile to grace his face again as the outline of the ship evoked memories long thought gone. "Navigator, is that what I think it is?" He asked with a measure of expectation in his voice.

"I must apologize, but no."

"The vessel may appear somewhat familiar, but I suspect that is just a by product of what they did to make it their own. However the pulses sweep is relaying the ships imprint and void shift as well. It does indeed contain technology ablative to our own, however the jumble of both hardware and software are somewhat puzzling." Golith motioned towards his pet with a slow gesture and she ducked away into the shadows as he stood to walk towards the visual display. "Who knows, they could have gutted the original ship and poured more then enough trash in their to ruin every inch of its credibility." Before finishing his sentence, the strange creature had returned with another large glass of wine. An act that seemed near comical, with how the glass appeared in size compared to her form.

As the navigator handles all the information sent and received by the pulse, she comes across the data feed coming from Vox's ship. Only to have a chuckle slightly break out over the hall as it escapes her. Golith raises an eyebrow as he questions "Something found to be funny?" There is a slight droning sound in the distance as she decides to respond. "Nothing actually, more trivial then bothersome.. The data cores archive is open to us and some interesting, albeit slight information was found. Information on specific planes-walkers and some details to fill in gaps we had on the farther flung dimensional breaches. Also, a virus was found in the data.." Golith cocks his eyebrow as that information reaches him. Knowing full well that was not usual for the kind of beings entrusted with such a ship, that or Gaia's choice in pilots was slipping.

"It was meant to.. unlock me, at least that is what is written into its code. The AI in charge of running the ships subroutines is lacking, or at least suspected of being faulty." Golith nods at the handling of this information and takes a sip of his wine. Only for an official to turn and speak "A transmission sir, its directed towards us. Emanating from the ship that recently arrived." He nods back at the official as a sign for him to play whatever message it is and he is rewarded with the message being played across the great hall.

"Unidentified vessel, this is Rear Admiral Orlin McGregor of the Tria, I see you attempted to scan our fleet. Please identify yourselves and state your intentions immediately"

A smirk grew on his face as Golith listened and kept an eye on his pet, her head jutting from side to side as the voice played on. Each ear bouncing along with each inflection of the admirals voice. He returned his eyes back to the officials in front of him and smiled broadly " Well, at least he said please.. we should give him the benefit of the doubt in that case. Nothing beats a good chat at least."

"Navigator, audio feed only"
No response from her is necessary, while the officials talk between one another and debate. Golith seats himself once more after walking back to his throne, only for a small tone to be played across the hall. His indicator that a communications link was now open with the Tria.

Golith thinks for a moment as he tries to recall how to speak to outside sources, an act he has not done in nearly a thousand years. "Well, Admiral McGregor."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"I am Master Shadowsun of The Obelisk of Sorrow, we are here on a retrieval mission.. nothing more. Just some lost travelers, picking up some old.. lost.. trinkets."

A soft breeze blew across the desolate space, whipping sand particles against the former Ordan Guardian's face. He felt the grains on his skin, but remained nonreactive to their slight sting. Looking back, he noticed how quickly the footsteps he'd made not a few seconds ago were carried away within the gusts. No matter, he decided. There was always a Plan B.

The further he walked on, the more boring and intricate the landscape appeared to him. The same dull colored sand. The same slightly colored rocks. A scrap of metal here and there wasn't enough to catch his attention as he figured it to be a lost technology from ages ago, the remnants buried in the sand while the legacy it propelled carried on in newer generations. The sad part was all advanced species, no matter how complex in nature, tended to forget where they came from as they enthralled their livelihood in visions of the future. More often than not, it led to their downfall.

There were others who thought differently, who focused too much in the past and keeping the traditions that brought them to their current point. Yet, they have no direction to move afterwards, leading them to fall into a cyclic pattern of routine, never to advance from their current state. It was just as important to forget the past as it was to remember it.

It still amazed Lance how often he kept balance in his life. He'd grown a lot since the day he'd met Rachel, but the one thing that remained constant was his perspective on how the Multiverse should be considered and treated...delicately. It was not a life form's place to change the current condition of the world they lived in for the sake of changing the condition. It always led to something bad. He thought of the destroyed world of Kaos, the conquered world of Earth, the Ordan way of life spreading across the dimensions like a plague disguised in perfume. And it sickened him to have ever associated himself with them. But at the same time, he felt blessed to have ever been in their presence, for he would not be the person he was without them.

Lance looked up for the first time...and cursed himself inwardly at not thinking of doing this sooner while he stared in awe on the outside at the congregating fleets miles above him, presumably in space. Not moving or daring to look away, he brought the Transicom to his mouth.

"Burkton, do you still have that soundwave magnifying device?"

"Well, I haven't worked out all the bugs and stuff. But I have made it to where you can pinpoint where you want to hear the sound from. You still can't hear radio transmission sounds however. They still come through as static. And you will get a very broad base of sound. if you're trying to hear into a bar or something, you're better off just walking into it yourself. In all honesty, it would work the best in space."

"Perfect, I think that's what I need. Can you Transicom it to me?"

There was a pause on the other line. "Are you sure? I mean I won't be able to Transicom you anything for a while after that. And you have no idea what you're up against. What if you need a weapon or tool or something?"

"I'll be fine," Lance reassured. "There's nothing happening here where I'm at. It's all above me. And you know how I use these Haven Swords."

"Alright. I'm just warning you."

"Appreciate the concern, mate. Just take care of everyone on Ryon."

Suddenly, a blue beam shot out of the Transicom and stopped two feet from Lance's face. A ball of static showed in electric blue in front of him. The artificial figured began to take a shape, the discombobulated entity slowly lifting it's veil to reveal...a bluetooth-like device. Lance pushed a button on the Transicom and the bluetooth device popped into reality, using the atoms of the planet to form itself. Lance popped the thing into his ear, turning the three knobs in the bluetooth to triangulate the position of the audio to be heard.

"...Obelisk of Sorrow, we.....................mission...nothing more. Just some lost ................"

Lance was having a hard time trying to get a perfect pinpoint of the conversation to be had, but at last, he could hear everything crystal clear.

---

Golith stays there for a moment, leaned back in his throne with that relaxed look on his face and an expectant rise in the corner of his eye. Wondering why the ship had yet to respond and why the ridiculousness of this situation is continuing.

He leans on one side and speaks above himself, directing his attention too his Navigator. "Are you sure they got the message? Or did they butcher that beauty too much when they salvaged it?" Several slides of images pass the viewer in front of him as he looks on. "I have no inclination at this point, I believe they may be debating among themselves at this point. Or entirely occupied with how much is transpiring off from the planets atmosphere."

He raises his glass once more as the apathy gets too him and he leans on the other side, reaching down to pet his small friend and she keens right into his palm, like always. The console lights up and the Navigator chimes back in "As for the cache, I am ready to retrieve it. All is required are six drones and I can gate the whole section into the hold." Golith checks as he slides past several screens on his console and nods as she speaks. Looking towards several of the officials in front of him and they quickly respond by freeing up the drones for departure. Which the ship dispensed in quick succession as they were launched from the port side. The six, dark, crystalline, orbs proceeded to fling themselves off into the darkness. Careening around the edge of the moon, bypassing the other ships and slipping around their shields perimeters.

The drones, flew off towards Blackrock at a fantastic cruising speed.

((Apologies for taking so long, work has been kicking my ass; and killing my muse))


Orlin elected to allow Admirals Hanley, and Nash to handle the incursion with the large Data-sphere while he decided that he himself would handle these newcomers.

The Alteran vessel floated silently, as Orlin took a moment to consider his reply. He was searching the vast Alteran data-banks for records pertaining to both the alien vessel in front of him, and the alien vessel facing off with the fleets on the other side of the planet.

Finally Orlin's mind keyed up a reply, directed to the The Obelisk of Sorrow before him.

"Be advised, that this is the Sovereign space of the United Aschen Empire, as a diplomatic courtesy to a new species, we have opted to take a diplomatic approach to this situation; the alien vessel on the other side of this moon has not been as cordial, and will not receive the same courtesy." Orlin replied, his voice carrying on the wide band transmissions.

"To that end, i politely request permission to come aboard, to make your acquaintance personally, initiate further first contact, and inspect your vessel. It is standard procedure for the Aschen Empire for new vessels entering our space. As ugly as this sounds It would be prudent to secure our cooperation if you're here to retrieve anything." Orlin replied, hoping that further contact would enable the Empire to further understand this alien vessel.

----

The Data-world would likely not be so fortunate, the Imperial fleet began to consolidate their positions around the Data-world, weapons came online one by one, while shipboard AIs exchanged contacts.

Admiral Hanley considered her next move. The Tria was making diplomatic contact with the alien vessel, which was now known to the entire fleet through a live data-feed. it was considered in the hyper-threaded calculations of hundreds, thousands of individual shipboard AI Systems working in unison.

Kyrian's response drew an assorted bout of snickers from Hanley's CIC. The greatest library in existence? Older than all dimensions? Such a notion was impossible, and only seeked to further offend whatever strange entity was observing Kyrian.

Though it's presence was felt, because it allowed Kyrian to feel it's presence. It elected not to reveal itself, rather it observed the planeswalker's actions.

Hanley simply glanced up at the clock display, and replied.

"You have five minutes to vacate this system before we open fire."

Kyrian Vox

The Planeswalker was surrounded by too many beings to take in all the information at once, he felt the ships rather than saw them through the conscious beings aboard them. The situation was puzzling but he knew one thing he had to do, and that was get a one on one discussion going. The first step was to get rid of Data-World Arkvaes so it would be out of harms way, even though it could regenerate itself from almost any damage it would take a long time and Kyrian would have to have to deal with that. He pressed his hands to the surfaces of the ship below him and began to meditate, getting in sync with the ship's onboard "Spark" and began to chant in a sad, slow language. He had forgotten to close communication channels so the Aschen's could hear him.

As his chanting continued his emotions poured out, as only a sad person could channel the energy he wanted to use. A distressed heart that he let go, and his magic began to work. The ship vibrated in waves from Kyrian, the movement of the ship becoming higher and higher frequency and even started to eminate sounds of the vibration across the Dark Web. Slowly the ship started to glow and shine, getting brighter until it looked like a star, and then vanished entirely, it's frequency becoming higher than Light, and changing dimensions because of this. Kyrian floated in space for a moment after his ship disappeared and let himself cry the last of his tears, his breathing now shut off and his body protected by photon shielding automatically in place from a strap on his arm.

As Kyrian pulled his emotions together he honestly didn't know how to change this situation. The Aschen's were being difficult and fool hardy in their regulations and protocals, they knew nothing of negotiation. The planeswalker's emotions changed from sadness to pure anger at their ignorance, he wanted to destroy them all for being so young and naive, but that wouldn't help them. He calmed down quickly and sat there in space where the Data-World used to be, meditating and hardly even breathing as he sought a solution.

---

Golith wrings the edge of his chin as the information comes through and nods, as he can see the others in front of him sharing words. Ensuring that this could possibly be on the up and up for some reason. He snaps his fingers and within an instant his small pet is there to answer, as if his word was her's to hang on. He takes the bottom of her jaw in hand with the cusp of his palm and speaks. "I think we may be having guest this evening.." As if by response her flesh goes flush with a lightened pink color and even though her face was not visible, one could see the brim of a smile through her bindings. She bounds for a moment as Golith stands and moves from his seat, which she snap up into. As if she were a cat, perched on the place of her master. "Open a complete link for the admiral, I wish to give him the full picture."

He sets his glass on the arm of the throne before stepping away, as a small drone lifts from the console and centers on him as it begins to broadcast the image it sees. Letting the image piggy back its way on the signal they are feeding too Orlin's own vessel. An image of him standing a midst the center standard of his ship, several feet in front of his throne with the smaller creature lounged behind. "Outstanding.. I do understand your own standing in this matter, besides I think the problem with the child of Gaia is going to complete itself." He leans his head slightly as he is shown the data worlds presence shift out of phase, into another dimension. "I am willing to entertain guest at this time, though I will tell you here and now that neither you, nor your alliance can make such a claim too us. We are sovereign unto ourselves and have been for some time now. I am willing to bring you aboard anytime you wish, be it ship, or other means." He points, motioning for something to happen behind the scope of the video feed "You will be receiving a transmission for our docking procedures and a location for energy, matter transportation. Or if you wish, I could bring you aboard myself.. if that is satisfactory?"

Orlin nodded before the neural link carried out his next order. The coordinates were processed by the ship's computer system, and then relayed to Orlin via neural connection.

The Imperial Admiral didn't react to the alien sight before him, rather decided to transmit his own image so that the aliens before him could see what to expect. A rather unremarkable man in the dark grey Imperial uniform. The way he carried himself, and the way his eyes looked hinted at genetic engineering, or some kind of greater human evolution.

"I will transport myself aboard, standby." Orlin replied, before his mind triggered the command.

---

At the designated coordinates, there was a brilliant flash of light, and an audible pop before Orlin appeared. Matter-stream transportation technology was not widespread throughout the Empire, but the Tria had been modified with the technology to allow ease of transit for it's occupants.

The Admiral was also unarmed, save for the singular disruptor pistol holstered at his hip, and an odd earpiece that he wore around his left ear, It was some kind of mental amplification device. It served a double purpose however, and was put in place to shield the man's mind from prying telepaths or empaths.

Orlin let his hands smooth the creases of his uniform, the crisp dark greys contrasting with dark blues, and the glinting pins and medals of his station.

He awaited a welcome part.

---

Though the Imperial fleet dropped it's alert status when the Data-world disappeared, Hanley continued to remain vigilant.

The sensation that Kyrian was experiencing of being watched, vanished as soon as the Data-world disappeared.

---

A nod returned to Orlin as a small gesture was given to cut the transmission and continue.

Golith took a moment to straighten his robes and adjust himself for the strange diplomatic meeting that was about to take place. His little pet took her time as she knelt behind him and did as he did, straitening and pulling out the creases in the tail of his clothing. Only to step next to him and raise her head to him, ready to receive his small praise. Which she received as his hand graced the back of her head, causing her to stand on the balls of her feet and pressing deeper into his palm.

All of the other officials were quiet about what was transpiring, save for one. A familiar face stepped forward and spoke his mind, albeit out of turn. "Master this is highly inappropriate, allowing such a young race on the ship and openly conversing with them is not at all according to the laws of her majesty." He pulls his head back for a moment when Golith raises a hand to his face and cuts his eyes at him, in a fashion that looks as though it could cut him in half. "The next time you feel inclined to inform me of my own conduct, then I suggest you hold your tongue. Because if you do not, I will have you sent headlong into this systems main star.. Am I made perfectly clear?" The question at the end was less a question and more an observation of events to come. This makes the Draconian rear his head and give a stiff, scared expression, that is short lived. He chooses to swallow his pride, along with any other objections to what it was that Golith was doing.

Golith raises his voice lightly and speaks to his navigator. "Be ready to give our guest a direct shot to the temple and I will meet him there in a few moments." There was a very short pause as several of the consoles in the room flickered and she responded "It is done." Golith nodded as he focused himself and his eyes began to shine an ambient glow of sapphire light. The pet, eagerly clings closer onto Golith's side, as if a child hugging the side of their parents waist and within an instant, the pair flicker out of existence. Encompassed in a quick spinning orb of dark matter, that vanishes along with them.

Several moments was all it took for Golith and his small follower to appear in a large open room, though from the looks of it, it was more a place than a room. The make of this place was that of an older stone emplacement upon the edge of a terrace, forming a massive ring around a center obelisk. Flowers of multiple ranges sat on the edge of the ring and shined a brilliant array of colors, thanks to a source of light that hovered in the distance. The structure was crumbling at one point, but the roof had been removed and cleared away. Only leaving six pillars holding nothing aloft, left to frame the full measure of the ring. The obelisk in the center was formed of a glimmering ivory stone, its three sides covered with a measure of ancient writing. However, the writing did not cover its whole form and the bottom half of two sides remained blank.

Golith looked on as his pet danced around in the light of the false star and stretched herself out on the stone floor. He lifted his head as the light basked over him and his eyes adjusted slowly.

He looked on towards the other side of the ring as Orlin's form materialized in from his own ship and after he adjusted himself, Golith gave a slight bow. "Let me be the first to welcome you commander Orlin, to the temple of bonds." He raised his head as his pet began to approach Orlin, a noise akin to sniffing could be heard from behind the bindings that made her mask.

Golith approached slowly around the center obelisk and crossed an open hand over his chest, a form of greeting for him and his people. "I must properly introduce myself, I am Golith Du Urdon. Master of this vessel and its crew." The pet at his side proceeded him, dropping down to all fours and advancing slowly as she began to circle the commander. Golith took a moment and snapped his fingers, pointing to his side and she quickly returned. "And this is Pesha.. she is always cautious with newcomers."

From commander Orlin's ship, the can still read he is on board the Sorrow, however his position is puzzling to them. As if his person was occupying a space between decks.

---

The draconian probes settle above the atmosphere of Blackrock after their quick trip and begin to scan sections of the city below. Sending all of the information back about the cache below the surface of the planet and what means they could use to retrieve it. Their actions bathed the ground below in intense sessions of light as they scanned the ground from one corner to the next.

Orlin remained fairly calm, quieting as the figure before him raised his hand. Orlin offered a slight nod as he listened to the explanation that had been offered.

"Strange." Orlin thought to himself. "Sol System?" The Aschen Admiral asked, confused as he tilted his head slightly. "I beg your pardon, but we are not from the Sol System, we're not from Earth." Orlin corrected, gesturing to the screens depicting the planet earth.

"I'm familiar with this planet, but the Aschen do not hail from here." He said, handing his counterpart the flickering holocron that displayed the image of the galaxy, highlighting a star system that the Aschen called home. 10,000 light years in the Cygnus arm.

"We come originally from a planet called Kobol." He said. "I'm not sure if you call it something else, but we evolved there, and then settled earth for a time later. The Aschen people have not been to earth in some time; the planet is lost to us." Orlin explained.

When Pesha disappeared to fetch the wine. Orlin looked to a small holographic icon of his vessel, mounted on his wrist, before his mind interfaced with the vessel once more, trying to pull up information on Earth.

"Fortunately, Master Du Urdon, this world is not of very much value to the Empire. It's a desolate rock. I am certain we won't mind you recovering your technology, contact is more valuable anyway." He said, before he offered a frown.

"My vessel has informed me our unwanted guest is still harassing the Imperial Defense force, I am sure Admiral Hanley has it under control." He added.

"So you're one of the oldest races in the universe. Legend has it, a race called the Seraphs are the first evolution of Sapience. I could be wrong, however." Orlin admitted.

----

The Imperial Defense fleet remained stationary, as Kyrian made himself available for capture. Admiral Hanley didn't hesitate, and he was brought aboard the Esteem. Almost as soon as Kyrian was brought aboard, the feeling of being watched likely returned.

A Pair of Marines, surrounded by a trio of War Adepts moved to restrain Kyrian and take him prisoner. Inside the Hangar bay, while Admiral Hanley approached from Tram level two.

"You have caused quite a stir in our fleet." Hanley said flatly, as she gestured for the Marines to release Kyrian.

"What is it you want." She said flatly.

Kyrian Vox

---

Kyrian towered over the other humanoids, so he had to look down at them and and was starting to hurt his neck. He said nothing as they took him through the ship, giving him the opportunity to see what kind of technology they had. It seemed rather advanced, as far as modern tech went anyway. He preferred the ancient tech of his own dimension, but it would be a while before he got to see it again. Currently he was wearing simple black jeans and a matching long sleeve sweater, but curiously no shoes. His hair was just as dark and messy, long enough to reach his chin if it was straight down. Overall he was a handsome average man at first glance, but his silvery eyes showed his true age and worn out soul.

When he was taken in front of Hanley he bowed to her first and foremost before answering her question. "Well, you would know that already if you had paid attention to me at all. Now I really don't feel like telling you, but I guess lives are in the balance. That black ship you so eagerly wanted to make peace with is not to be trusted, that race has it's own agenda beyond what you mortals can comprehend. It would be useless explaining it to you, but if you don't want to trust me I won't blame you." He waited patiently for Hanley's response, almost tiredly with half hooded eyes that swirled like silver pools reflecting the light around them.

---

"Transfer authorized.."

Golith looked on as Orlin returned with the knowledge of his ancestry, though the response did not surprise him. It was not the first time he was wrong about something and it was most likely not the last time such an event would come to pass. He smiled though has the information came piling in, though his knowledge of the this world was somewhat lacking. He did know enough to see through too an apparent reason why the ships systems mistook him for a human of the planet earth.

"Well, it is good to see that I can still be wrong from time to time. If I were right all of the time, life would be supremely boring. Coincide this, would you please Navigator?" A stream of light swipes across the device on Orlin's arm, the beam being so intense that a buzzing feeling was evident on the appendage for several seconds after. The hologram is shifted from in front of him, to replace the display circling them and it becomes evident that the image is being overlapped with a massive display of the Draconian database, concerning that part of the universe. The process was filling small gaps in the historical information and though it only took around fifteen seconds, the display itself was informative. "Recorded and archived for further use Master, the biological structure of this race matches that found in the Sol System by a factor of 98.221%. The missing calculation is artificial in make, though it could allow for their survival on this secondary world." Golith leaned his head back with a slight wince in his features.

"You and your Uninvited Guest, may be closer in origin then you possibly realize. Though Gaia and plenty of the other creating races do what they wish with other species, I suspect you might just be another one of their damned experiments. Well.. this also explains how you gained possession of such a wonderful vessel, I am completely ecstatic about this whole event however. Despite what my, compatriots would have to say about this ordeal." A screen slides up on the display, showing the surface of Blackrock and the beacon that was the hidden cache of tech. Which quickly vanishes and disappears from the display. "The singularity is on board Master, destination for dead space has been set in and we may return when you command." Golith nods as he looks over several of the other screens.

Golith approaches Orlin slightly, not bypassing the boundary of the tray between the two of them.
"It has come to my attention, that my people have been absent from the galactic play for too long."

"Oh and yes the Seraph were an early sapient race, not long before us. However there were six more before them and another three before those as well. It was juts a matter of who could erase the other more quickly from universal memory, sadly only a few managed planetary travel before the fighting began." Golith reaches forward and takes up the darkest glass in his large hand, downing the contents in one swig. "Hmm, a little tart, but I do like the hint of berry."

"I suggest a small alliance for the time being, as my people will be diving back and forth through this section of the galaxy to retrieve the other beacons. However if you come across any other members of the Draconian race, I suggest you keep your distance. Several of the other Scions are rather touchy when it comes to other races, meddling with their duties."

On board the underlandian vessel, in the cargo hold, the party had stopped. The only movement was a few drunks, and a few scientists asking questions to the underlandian guards. Well whatever there called any way. Th UCN power troopers were mostly tinkering with there power armor out of boredom, along with there flintlock assult rifles. One of the techies started to work on the radio that gave the "we are safe party" its music earlier. The radio was switched to another frequency. Talking could have been heard through it.....and the radio was a two way. The techie grabbed the receaver, and cleared his voice. He spoke in a native Columbian accent (British) and said into the mic. "Hello? Is anyone there? We are the United Columbian Nation. I am Johnson Davison. Im a high ranking scientist of our government. Please respond at your leisure. We are safely aboard the....well, we dont rightly know....but they seam to be nonhostile. Were waiting for a resoponce from our president, Jacob Hothman...but thats not what this is about. We were wanting to kniw about your pasts...and your tech, if your willing to part with that info. " the scientist said hopefully. The soldiesrs glared at him. Had he just invited a possibly hostile race in? Or did this "neither space" block his signal? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile Jacob was waiting on a responce from this person before he gourged himself on highly expensive food. Better not to owe somebody something.

On board the underlandian vessel, in the cargo hold, the party had stopped. The only movement was a few drunks, and a few scientists asking questions to the underlandian guards. Well whatever there called any way. Th UCN power troopers were mostly tinkering with there power armor out of boredom, along with there flintlock assult rifles. One of the techies started to work on the radio that gave the "we are safe party" its music earlier. The radio was switched to another frequency. Talking could have been heard through it.....and the radio was a two way. The techie grabbed the receaver, and cleared his voice. He spoke in a native Columbian accent (British) and said into the mic. "Hello? Is anyone there? We are the United Columbian Nation. I am Johnson Davison. Im a high ranking scientist of our government. Please respond at your leisure. We are safely aboard the....well, we dont rightly know....but they seam to be nonhostile. Were waiting for a resoponce from our president, Jacob Hothman...but thats not what this is about. We were wanting to kniw about your pasts...and your tech, if your willing to part with that info. " the scientist said hopefully. The soldiesrs glared at him. Had he just invited a possibly hostile race in? Or did this "neither space" block his signal? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile Jacob was waiting on a responce from this person before he gourged himself on highly expensive food. Better not to owe somebody something.

The planeswalker got bored with the conversation quickly and decided to expand his mind to explore his immediate surroundings, but it was difficult with all the energy in his path throughout the ship. He only now became aware of the consciousness watching his every move, though it felt almost familiar to something or someone he had met before. With his age it was plausible that he could have met this soul in a past lifetime or if they were old enough possibly the current one. He had no clue as to the origin of the mind watching him but he left it to itself and only observed it from a distance like it was him.

In his physical body and around it, he was still experiencing the Aschen ship and their interrogation after capturing him. It was still boring however so Kyrian wished to end it. "Can I go now? I am looking forward to the free meals and private little cell I am sure is waiting for me in your prison hold while I await trial, unless your culture doesn't have those which would be interesting. In any case make haste with it, so I can be entertained whilst I learn."

The brightly lit CIC Of the Reverence II esteem was abound with activity, as Admiral Hanley poured herself a hot cup of coffee to begin the morning's patrols.

It was supposed to be routene, FTL From Tal'dor, to the Red Line, to Molecay, and then back to Langara, completing the trip by making the jump back to Tal'dor.

The Carrier Strike group had been assigned as well, as Hanley's eyes scanned the assignment manifest, she nodded and checked her approval, indicated by a swift hand swipe along a holographic projection.

"Lieutenant Oglesby, status of the primary and secondary FTL Drives?" Hanley asked, as she sipped her coffee, Oglesby nodded and gave the thumbs up.

"All's set, Admiral. Redline is locked into the computron." He said, entering a sequence of numbers into the navigational computer. However, in the complacency of a routene operation, the FTL Coordinates were off by one digit.

They would not be going to the Red Line.

Colonel Warren turned back towards Hanley, bringing a calloused hand to a stubbled chin. "FTL is spooled, AI is showing green." He said, and Hanley nodded.

"Sync jump times with the rest of the CSG, one half millicenton, Mark." Hanley said aloud.

The clock had been set, and one half Millicenton passed allowing the final preparations to be made. As the clock counted down, Hanley looked to the holographic display.

"Jump." She ordered.

The Reverence II 'Esteem' and it's Strike group then winked out one by one from high orbit over Tal'dor, off to carry out their duties.

Eterna - High Orbit

Space and time bent, and buckled with the arrival of the massive Reverence II Class planetary assault carrier. One digit was all it took for this massive, state of the art warship to reach this strange, undiscovered alien world.

With a brief but brilliant flash that skimmed from bow to stern, the Esteem winked into high orbit. There was no sign of the rest of the strike group, this vessel was alone, orbiting a strange alien world, and centered above what was the dark side of the planet, far enough to have the sun hit the underbelly of the carrier, to those below this massive vessel would take up a fair amount of space in the night sky, and the sunlight reflecting off it's armored hull cast the light that was brighter than that of a full moon.

---

"Sitrep." Hanley demanded as she set her coffee down in frustration, several alarms blaring as the AI Spoke. "No sign of the Strike Group, and our stellar charts do not match with the star patterns, this world is not in Imperial charts either." The AI reported, while Colonel Warren brought up several transparent star charts and laid them over the CIC backlit command table.


"No clue where we're at." He admitted, as Hanley growled.

"All hands set condition two, heightened alert status. If we have inbound I want to know about it." Hanley ordered, and the brightly lit CIC Shifted to an amber color, with an alarm blaring throughout the ship, readying the crew for possible hostilities.

The Admiral then manipulated a large hologram of the planet, with most of it shaded black to denote undiscovered and surveyed areas.

"Get a recon wing of Apollo fighters for a quick survey planetside, and gods damnit get Astrometrics to figure out where the frak we're at!" Hanley barked, her voice carrying over the confusion of her CIC.

The crisp clear night sky seemed to brighten suddenly, as a strange new object appeared high in the sky. It was large enough to where it could be made out by the naked eye, and even a set of binoculars. Brighter than the full moon, this strange object, with the sunlight bathing it's underside, lit up the night sky, and cast an almost twilight glow in the sky.