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#Post#: 44--------------------------------------------------
Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: February 23, 2015, 12:48 pm
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OOC: This thread will describe events in other colony-systems of
Trekylon, the capital city, Imperiopolis, and several of the
independent and nonaligned systems that are connected in some
way to the Civil War. Events depicted here could shift the
fortunes of the ongoing conflict one way or another, could
influence how the eventual peace talks evolve, and even affect
the future fortunes of both Trekylon and the rebels. Anything
can happen. Because of the uniqueness of the many plot twists
that can happen, this thread will be broken up into mini-threads
with brief backstories...and it will also be locked.
Chapter One: Interstellar Mercantile Republic of Mediterra
HTML http://s10.postimg.org/3q0stphs9/Mediterra_flag.png
St Mark's City, on the capital planet of Mediterra
The civil war raging in nearby Trekylon had proven to be a major
financial bust to the economy of the young republic. Stocks
crashed, sending prices soaring into the thousands. Even the
wealthy landowners of the machanti were soon feeling the strain
from the economic recession. In an emergency meeting of the
Senato, the legislative body of the Republic, the machanti and
pedestro, the respective middle- and lower-class of the republic
pressed the Doge, the ruler and executive of the nation, to make
a decision regarding Mediterra's future role in the civil war.
But even as the middle and lower class representatives pressed
the Doge for help, he and the tiny group of Concilios or
ministers of State, remained divided on the issue. It was then
that a middle-class duke with allies among the pedestro, named
Enrico Vandeo, rose to address the Senato. He was thirty-two
years old, with an impressive physique, bright clothing that
showcased his wealth, and a goatee that was articulately
trimmed. He made for a very impressive speaker from the planet
of Tauro, one of the outworlds of the Republic that linked it to
Trekylon.
Vandeo - "If I may address the Senato?"
Doge - "You may speak but make it brief."
Vandeo moved away from his seat, where he had risen to seek
permission to make his address. Law required that anyone wishing
to address the Senato had to rise from their seat and be called
upon by the Doge. No one was allowed to speak unless they had
risen from their seats, but even this did not silence the
murmured protestations and whispers among the delegates. Doge
Amadeo Razollo constantly fought the urge to have the Senato
Praetori, the special Guard that surrounds and protects the
Senato Palazzio, arrest the violators. But he knew that many had
such diverse and vast connections that to do so would provoke
demonstrations, boycotts, and in extreme cases, even riots. Thus
he held his tongue and growled mostly to himself. Vandeo
ascended the semicircular stage with grace and dignity, ignoring
the whispers from among his fellow delegates.
Vandeo - "My fellows in the Senato...this is an uncertain time
in our history, as our number one trading partner has fallen
into division. Trekylon's civil war has already impacted many of
the nonaligned systems, and yet we sit and do nothing. The
Traylax have lost 600 cargo ships and 17,000 crews...and yet we
do nothing. I know that our policy in regard to Trekylon has
been to keep them as trade partners only, but if this civil war
continues, how long will it be before our own space galleys come
under attack from their rebel elements?"
Razollo - "What do you propose we do, Signor Vandeo? Form a
military alliance with Trekylon and jeopardize our nonaligned
status?"
Vandeo - "Sooner or later, our status as a nonaligned power will
be threatened anyway. Tis it not better that we choose to end
our nonaligned status?"
Signor #2 - "I agree with Signor Vandeo. The sooner we align
with Trekylon's rightful government against the rebels, the
easier it will be to return to our nonaligned status later."
Signor #3 - "But what makes you think that once the Trekylon
Civil War is over, we will be able to wean ourselves of the
alliance with them? They may decide to expand on that alliance
by building military outposts on our worlds?"
Vandeo - "Because, my friend, we would hold out as a condition
for our temporary alignment the promise that no Trekylonian
military presence of any kind would be established within our
sovereignty unless by the expressed and united agreement of the
Doge and Senato."
Razollo - "If......IF....I consent to this course of action, be
aware, Signor Vandeo, that should it fail, you will have your
titles, lands, wealth seized. You will become
reietto...outcast."
Vandeo - "Since I have been presented with the costs of failure,
I shall be the one to assume responsibility for contacting the
Imperial government."
Signor #4 - "We need to cast a vote before committing to this
insanity."
Signor #5 - "I agree. Let us vote on the matter now!"
The calls for a vote grew in numbers and in volume. Vandeo said
nothing, still standing at the podium, but merely glared at the
Doge. Once again, the Doge was tempted to call in Senato
Praetori and break up this rabble, but once again restrained
himself. Finally, however, it became too much even for him to
bear. He rose from his regnal throne and threw his voice across
the whole of the Senato Palazzio
Razollo - "Enough! Call the vote already and get it over with!"
Vandeo - "All those in favor, raise your hands."
As both men watched, several dozen hands went up in the air. The
consternations began to build as those whose hands were raised
now fell victim to the scorn and ridicule of their peers. Vandeo
nodded, acknowledging the raised hands, which came down almost
simultaneously. Razollo, still standing, now called the next
vote.
Razollo - "All who are opposed to the Vandeo Plan rise from your
seats and be counted."
As before, several dozen signors rose from their seats and
received condemnation from their fellows. A few even flung
condemnations at Vandeo, who remained unaffected by the insults
thrown at him. Razollo motioned for the men to be seated, and
they did so, making a few more insults at Vandeo as they did so.
Razollo - "Be seated, Signor Vandeo."
Vandeo left the podium, descended from the platform, and
returned to his seat. A low murmur of insults and appraisals
followed in his wake. Vandeo simply straightened his robe and
resumed his seat. Razollo remained on his feet, looking down at
the assembly from his loft above the platform.
Razollo - "Signor Vandeo, you will depart from here at morning
sun tomorrow, aboard the galley Benevento. You have three days
to make your case before their government, after which..success
or failure..you will return here. If you are successful, you
will be given the title of Signore Ambassadore. If you fail, you
will not be welcome here again."
Vandeo - "I understand, My Doge."
Razollo - "This decision made, let us no longer speak of it
again. Call upon new business or adjourn."
Even as the other signores began squabbling over what new
business to bring to the table, and Razollo was forced to return
to his chair, Vandeo relaxed in his own seat, knowing that he
had an opportunity.
[hr]
Imperiopolis, the same day as the Senato meeting in Mediterra
A stormy Saturday afternoon greeted Imperial Chancellor Tora
Ziyal as she made her way to her private office. She had assumed
the day-to-day operations normally associated with the Imperial
Court ever since Drake I left for New Columbia. She was
scheduled to meet with the Gorn Imperator, the Cardassian
castellan, and the Kotei of the Greater Empire of Showa later in
the evening. She needed to review the latest tactical reports
from the frontiers of the empire so she could be ready for those
meetings. Lightning cracked the sky open and a cacophonous
thunder blasted the ground as she stepped inside the Parliament
Dome. She had an office in the Imperial Palace, as well as her
own, more modest palace in the heart of the city, near the area
called Diplomats Square. She chose the Parliament Dome simply
because it was the one place she was less likely to be
interrupted. She entered the main gallery and was relieved at
how much quieter the interior was compared to outside, where the
raging thunderstorm was about to pour its energies down upon the
city. Choosing to use the stairwell, Ziyal made her way to the
third floor, where her office was located. She entered the
Receptionist's Office, where her secretary, a 135-year-old
Vulcan woman named T'Sel raised her head and regarded her with a
raised eyebrow. T'Sel was a typical Vulcan in that she often
made obvious statements, but she also tended to act brazen about
her dismissive attitude toward anyone or anything remotely
related to the office of the Chancellory.
Ziyal - "T'Sel, I'll need you to set up the meeting with the
Gorn Imperator and Kotei of the Greater Showa Empire for later
this evening, and set the meeting up with the Cardassian
castellan tomorrow morning."
T'Sel - "Yes, Madam Chancellor, though you may want to set some
time aside for an impromptu meeting with the Mediterran emissary
Signor Enrico Vandeo."
Ziyal - "Impromptu?"
T'Sel gave her that
'I-don't-believe-you-never-heard-that-word-before' look by
lowering the spectacles on the bridge of her pointed nose. This
was one of her many perfected looks she would often deliver to
her boss, with cold intensity. Ziyal had learned to tolerate
that from her Vulcan secretary.
Ziyal - "When does he want to meet?"
T'Sel - "Apparently in 22 minutes. His transport landed an hour
ago at Great Michael's Airport."
Ziyal - "When were you going to tell me this?"
T'Sel - "I'm sorry, I thought I had just now?"
There were times when T'Sel's arrogant, snobbish remarks reached
their limit, and this was clearly one of them. Ziyal shot her a
look that would've made a Ferengi cower. T'Sel gave her the
eyebrow raise but wisely backed down and held her tongue. Ziyal
released a breath, knowing she had bested her Vulcan opponent
again, even if not by much.
Ziyal - "Have him brought straight into my office the moment he
arrives, I don't care if the Gorn has to wait an hour or two."
T'Sel - "The Gorn Imperator might try to eat him."
Ziyal - "Then we can deny knowledge of such an incident and let
their governments hash it out."
Ziyal ended the banter before the Vulcan could make a smarmy
retort by walking into her office and closing the doors behind
her. She could hear T'Sel muttering to herself about how
half-breed Bajorans could use the same lessons in logic Humans
desperately needed. On the one level, T'Sel did have a point.
The last few months had been hard on everyone thanks to the
Exodus and the resettlement of the population in a new galaxy
farther from the home galaxy, and now the civil war was raging,
making things more difficult. Ziyal wondered why she retained
the office of Chancellor when Drake I became emperor,
considering that he was trying to usher in a new age for the
empire by being the first emperor not of the noble classes. She
was a holdover from the Great Michael's earlier-and
first-government. Aside from Odan, who replaced Curzon Dax as
Foreign Minister due to Curzon's own wish to retire while he
could still enjoy his life, no changes were effected on the
ministeriate while at least three new proposals were made into
law which finally curtailed the military spending at the
terrible cost of the fracture of both the Parliament and empire
by the Imperialist Party senators-turned-rebels.
A buzz at her terminal alerted her to a bulletin from T'Sel. She
still had the smarmy streak to her voice, which prompted an
eyeroll from Ziyal.
T'Sel [voice] - "Signor Enrico Vandeo has arrived in the
building, surprisingly dry considering the driving rain
outside."
Ziyal - "Have the galley bring up some hot tea. I'm sure he
could still use something warm to drink. Allow Signor Vandeo to
enter my office."
T'Sel [voice] - "I'm glad I don't have to order a cake for him.
Out."
Ziyal brushed aside the remark and called on the files on
Mediterra. Minutes later, a waiter came in, carrying a tray with
two cups and a steaming teapot, a sugar bowl and a tiny pitcher
of cream. He set the tray down on the desk, then bowed to Ziyal
before making his way out of the office again. Ziyal watched the
steam rise from the spout of the teapot wondering when Vandeo
would come in. Her wait was rewarded when the double-doors
opened and Vandeo walked in briskly, his bright yellow, red, and
orange suit gave a slight headache to Ziyal as they were too
bright. He came to the chair directly in front of her desk, then
stood in front of it waiting for permission to sit.
Ziyal - "Have a seat, Signor. Would you like some Bajoran tea?"
Vandeo - "Thank you."
As he seated himself, Ziyal poured a cup of tea for him, then
another for herself. She pushed the tray with the sugar bowl and
creamer toward Vandeo.
Ziyal - "Feel free to add sugar and/or cream to your tea."
Vandeo shook his head.
Vandeo - "I'm willing to try tea without all that extra
flavoring."
Ziyal poured her tea, and reached for the creamer. Pouring it in
delicately, Ziyal kept her attention on Vandeo, who was bringing
the steaming cup to his lips. As she set the creamer back on the
tray, Vandeo sipped his Bajoran tea, then brightened and made a
sound of satisfaction before setting his teacup down.
Vandeo - "I would like to bring some samples of this tea back to
Mediterra. I believe there could be a market for it there."
Ziyal *smiling* - "Of course. I can have Vedek Rusten meet with
you to establish a trade agreement focused on our tea. But I
don't think the tea is the real reason you've come here today."
Vandeo - "Quite so. I am here because my government is growing
concerned with the attacks by your rebel elements. The Traylax
Incident has scared our merchant-class or machanti into mooring
their ships in port."
Ziyal - "I understand that. There is little we can do right now,
due to our fleet being spread thin. The Founder Races have
either sealed their borders or declared neutrality, so you won't
get help there either. Plus there's the rebuilding of Caledonia
II straining our resources."
Vandeo - "I understand, and I believe there is a solution that
would benefit both of us. I am proposing a realignment of
Mediterra with Trekylon."
Ziyal looked incredulous. Vandeo had just delivered a gift to
the empire by proposing an alliance. Mediterra had not been hit
by the rebels' pirate attacks, and as the closest nonaligned
power to Trekylon could offer bases for the defense of the
western region. But even as those thoughts rolled through her
mind, Vandeo's facial expression delivered a deathblow to that
idea.
Vandeo - "This alignment would be temporary and with a
condition. No Trekylonian military personnel, equipment,
starships or bases will be established in Mediterran territory
without the expressed agreement of both the Senato and Doge."
Ziyal felt as though she had been kicked in the gut. All her
expectations and hopes had been dashed in an instant.
Ziyal *visibly disappointed* - "How will this realignment help
us, if we can use some of your worlds to help bolster our
defenses in the western region?"
Vandeo - "You say Caledonia II is in need of infrastructure
restoration. I imagine Nihal II and Hellonde could also use some
material assistance. My government is willing to deliver
technicians and materials to aid in the rebuilding efforts."
Ziyal thought about this for a moment. She knew that Caledonia
II and Hellonde were especially in need of technicians, as those
who were on the planets had either been scattered by the rebels,
joined the Imperial Liberation Forces, or had been executed. She
also knew Drake I would welcome the assistance provided by
Mediterra.
Ziyal - "What can Trekylon provide you in exchange?"
Vandeo - "Three things. One, a trade agreement which will cover
certain fruits you grow that we need. Two, the establishment of
banking facilities in five of your star-systems. And three, the
establishment of a military exchange between our forces. Our
troops could learn how you drill and train, while select members
of your military could receive training in Mediterran combat
tactics."
Ziyal - "This will have to be discussed with the Council of
Ministers, but I believe we can come to an agreement. How long
can you stay on Gaia?"
Vandeo - "I have three days, including this one. Then, whether I
receive an answer or not, I must return."
Ziyal - "Very well. As we do not yet have an embassy with your
government, the best I can offer you is the Nations Hotel. Its
about four blocks from here, and I'd suggest having an
umbrella."
As if to underscore her words, a loud crash of thunder made the
teacups rattle on the tray. Vandeo looked as though he had been
shocked by the sound, and even Ziyal was rattled by the thunder.
Vandeo - "I think I will use the taxicar, but I will definitely
look into that hotel."
Ziyal - "I can have my secretary call ahead and make the
reservation for you, if you'd like."
Vandeo - "I am honored, Madam Chancellor."
Ziyal hit the buzzcom. When T'Sel answered with her usual
sarcasm and wit, Ziyal instructed her to call the hotel and
place the reservation. It took only seconds, during which time
Vandeo sipped his tea again.
T'Sel [voice] - "The room has been reserved, Madam Chancellor.
Does the emissary also require the key to the adult room for
private use?"
Vandeo's face reddened in embarassment. Ziyal's reddened in
anger.
Vandeo - "No thank you, Madam. I appreciate your help with the
room, however."
T'Sel [voice] - "I am..pleased that someone appreciates what I
do here. I--"
Ziyal cut off the buzzcom before T'Sel could go into her speech
about how Ziyal never appreciated her efforts. Ziyal had heard
that speech many times and it was now past the point of being
insubordinate.
Ziyal - "I'll have my secretary provide you with some small
samples of the tea to enjoy at the Hotel. And before you leave,
I'll put you in touch with Vedek Rusten about taking some back
with you."
Vandeo - "Thank you, Madam Chancellor."
He rose from his chair and bowed formally to the Imperial
Chancellor, who bowed as respectfully in return. Vandeo curtly
turned and walked through the double-doors, which opened for
him. When the doors closed again, Ziyal breathed a sigh of
relief.
cont'd >
#Post#: 45--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: March 3, 2015, 5:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
< cont'd
Chamber of the Ministeriate
Ziyal had left an hour after Vandeo departed, making her way to
the Chamber of the Ministeriate in the driving rain. The thunder
and lightning had ceased, but the storm was not quite done with
the Imperial capital. Fortunately, Ziyal's driver was very
efficient, maneuvering the hovercar through the storm with the
deftness of a skilled pilot. Ziyal took the time to prepare
herself for the meeting with the other ministers. She had not
expected Vandeo to be so forthright, but then in her experience,
she never expected anyone to be so forthcoming. The hovercar
entered the parking deck, where it latched onto umbilical
fasteners. This would allow the hovercar to lock down until the
passengers and occupant returned. Ziyal emerged from the back
passenger area, using a ramp to make her way to the dock of
turbolifts. Stepping inside, she gave the command that sent the
turbolift moving to its designated deck. Minutes later, the
doors opened to a wide corridor, well-lit by windows reaching
from the floor to the ceiling. Here, she could see the cityscape
spreading out beneath the building's expanse. She walked along
the corridor, until she found the doors that led to the meeting
room. As the doors opened before her, she could see that the
major ministers were already present: Odan the foreign minister,
Martok the war minister, Deanna Troi the interior minister,
Luther Sloan the intelligence minister, Rom the finance
minister, and Garibaldi the director of industry.
Ziyal - "I see that you are already present here, so I won't
waste time with pleasantries. I have been approached with an
offer of a realignment in relations with the Stellar Mercantile
Republic of Mediterra. It would seem that the recent Traylax
Incident has frightened the Doge enough that he sent an emissary
to Gaia."
Odan - "I was just given the report. Emissary Vandeo is very
eager, yet also inexperienced. I'm surprised that the Doge would
even send him."
Ziyal - "They must've become so worried about the rebels that
the Doge felt desperate enough."
Martok - "Do the Mediterrans have a spacefleet that could even
hold up against a rebel skirmish?"
Sloan - "No, Martok. Their spacefleet is incapable of standing
up to a rebel raid without a significant upgrade to their
technology."
Ziyal - "Is there anyway we can assist their industry?"
Garibaldi - "Not unless they're willing to update their
equipment. Right now they're using technology whose equivalent
existed in 19th century Europe during the so-called Industrial
Revolution."
Odan - "Madam Chancellor, might I suggest that we should accept
this realignment with the Mediterrans, in order to facilitate
updating their equipment and technology?"
Martok - "One problem with that, minister. They have expressly
stated that no military outposts would be welcome in their
sovereign space. Blasted independent nations and their need for
self-preservation."
Rom - "If I may, Madam Chancellor. I propose that we could also
extend a monetary loan in addition to the technological upgrades
Odan has suggested."
Odan - "I concur."
Martok - "Perhaps I can arrange a meeting with my counterpart in
Mediterra and discuss military upgrades."
Ziyal - "So do I take this as a sign that the Council of
Ministers will support this realignment with all the
stipulations as laid out by Signor Vandeo?"
Odan - "Yes, at least for the duration of this civil war.
Afterwards, any further discussion of extending and expanding on
this realignment will require not just their senate's vote, but
also the full Parliament."
Deanna - "I do not understand why the Parliament would need to
endorse such an extension. After all, Drake I's main mission is
to expand our diplomatic reach. Would this not fit with his
mission goal?"
Odan - "You forget that we would need to fill in the posts
vacated by the 'blue-bloods' when they split off to form the
rebel movement. This could take time."
Ziyal - "We'll worry about that after we end this war. Thank you
ministers."
Odan - "One more thing, Madam Chancellor. I received a message
from Praetor Kamemor of Romulus. She said that her military
force has built up sufficient numbers to begin working with the
multinational forces. And she also said that a battlegroup
operating near the Traylax systems have captured a rebel
starship with survivors. They'll be turned over to our custody
by the end of the day. The Klingons are also prepared to begin
operations in collaboration with the forces. The Gorn, Kinshaya,
and Cardassians will be ready by the end of the week."
Ziyal - "I will be seeing the Gorn Imperator tomorrow. So who's
the holdout?"
Martok - "Those crystalline bugs, the Tholians. They remain
stubborn, refusing to end their isolation until the end of the
war. They also refuse to speak with anyone else about their
decision. Not even the Gorn emissary is welcome in Tholian space
anymore."
Ziyal - "Guess I'll need to clear my schedule Monday for an
impromptu meeting with the Tholian emissary, talk sense into
her. Thank you again."
They rose as one, and bowed together. Ziyal turned and withdrew
through the double-doors, feeling as though a weight had been
lifted, even if only temporarily.
#Post#: 97--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: August 1, 2015, 2:18 am
---------------------------------------------------------
The next day. Office of the Imperial Chancellor
Ziyal had indeed cleared her schedule for the meeting with the
Tholian ambassador, Avelene. Having the Tholians onboard for the
multinational fleets as they brought the fighting to the rebel
outposts was of vital importance, yet their Conclave remained
stubborn ever since they arrived from the Milky Way galaxy.
Partly, Ziyal couldn't blame them, especially after the
Unprovoked War with USOA and the sneak attacks on Earth II and
Panthera. But she also knew that Tholian xenophobia would end up
costing more lives than should be allowed. Drake I had given her
considerable leeway in her dealings with the Tholians, advising
only to be cautious and polite with them.
Troubles with the Tholians had been on the increase since just
before the outbreak of the Civil War, when pirates struck three
Tholian deep-range outposts. But with the Civil War raging,
rebels proved to be a bigger menace than the pirates. Tholian
xenophobia, which had been on the decline for the last eight
months, came roaring back with a vengeance, costing the Klingons
three freighters, and a major diplomatic incident. Only the
intervention of Drake I prevented both races from slugging it
out at a critical time when, on the other side of the empire,
the rebels had seized Caledonia II. The fact that the Tholians
had only allowed a Gorn emissary to visit them shortly after
seemed to show promise, but now the most recent raid by rebel
ships had scared the Tholians into sealing their borders
completely, not even allowing the Gorn emissary to return, and
almost starting a war with the Romulans because of it. Ziyal
knew that it was vital to steer the Tholians' collective
paranoia away from self-imposed isolation if there was to be a
chance to finally force the rebels to the negotiating table.
Ziyal had been waiting 25 minutes past the time she had
designated the Tholian ambassador arrive. This was typical
Tholian tactics at play, demand foreign embassies arrive on time
or face consequences, yet delay deliberately when themselves
meeting foreign envoys. Ziyal was prepared for this tactic to be
used, but it nevertheless annoyed her. Finally, T'Sel's voice on
the intercomm provided welcome news.
T'Sel - "Madame Chancellor, Tholian Ambassador Avelene has
arrived. She appears to be in a most disagreeable state and is
giving me the evil eye."
Ziyal - "T'Sel, you wouldn't know evil if it walked up and shook
hands with you."
T'Sel - "Madame Chancellor, Tholians do not have hands, not in
the same sense you and I have."
Ziyal - "Just show her in, please."
Ziyal allowed the moment of annoyance with her secretary pass as
the door to her office opened. Dressed in shimmering silk,
Avelene stalked into the office, looking like an oversized Earth
mantis. She walked right up to the desk without offering any
preamble or greeting, and locked her crystalline eyes on Ziyal.
Avelene - "You have no right to summon me here. Our nation is
isolated from your problems and will remain so until you either
destroy them or they destroy you."
Ziyal - "So you will continue to open fire on any ship that
violates the jurisdictional boundaries of your nation, no matter
their origin?"
Avelene - "We gave you and all fair warning of such a punishment
when we announced the border closing. It is not our fault your
people continue to disregard it."
Ziyal - "Setting that aside for the moment, I called you in here
to....plead with you to join our fight against the rebels. With
your ships we can finally neutralize the rebel threat we both
share, and you will again have security."
Avelene - "The Conclave has already made its decision. We will
not join your war. We have little to gain and all to lose if we
do. Our border policy will also not change for the foreseeable
future."
Ziyal - "That policy has already offended the Klingons and
Romulans. The rebels don't care about it, and the non-Imperial
powers who help us will likely also disregard it. How do you
expect to take them on?"
Avelene - "If they intrude, they will die. They have all been
warned."
Ziyal - "What if we made it worth the involvement of your
fleets? What if in return, you could claim any Class-Y and
Class-J worlds scrubbed of the rebels?"
Avelene - "We would still not change our border policy until the
conclusion of the war."
Ziyal - "I am not asking you to. But this way, you would help
play a part in securing the empire, and still be protecting your
own nation."
cont'd>
#Post#: 98--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: August 1, 2015, 2:28 am
---------------------------------------------------------
<cont'd
Avelene's rigid, nearly threatening stance relaxed a bit as she
entered a silent communion with the Entire. Ziyal was amazed at
how far Tholian telepathy could range, even at the distance
between Gaia and Tholia. Avelene's red aura shifted toward a
more neutral yellow as she remained in communion. Finally, the
color shifted again, gradually turning first green, then blue.
Avelene blinked her eyes twice as if coming out of a spell.
Avelene - "It has been debated and agreed. We will send
sufficient number of ships to assist you while keeping enough to
maintain our isolation. However, if the Klingons and Romulans
intrude on our space again, we will consider it an act of war
and withdraw our support. This is our only warning."
Ziyal - "Will you allow a Gorn emissary to enter your space, as
a liason between your High Command and the Imperial High
Command?"
Avelene - "We will allow him and him alone access to our space.
Anyone else attempting to enter will be killed, as will the
emissary."
Ziyal - "Very well. We have a deal, Ambassador."
Avelene turned and stalked toward the door, which opened for
her. Before she exited the room, however, she turned back to
Ziyal.
Avelene - "Because you served the Noble Michael, we will honor
this agreement. If you should break it, however, you will
forfeit any support you have within the Conclave. Do not forget
this."
With that, Avelene departed the room, her clicking legs fading
into the background.
[hr]
Later that same day, Romulan Outpost K-15
Gell Kamemor walked the decks of the Warbird Dremmix, side by
side with Commander Aexcerv. He had been tasked with forming the
coalition fleet that would join the Humans in freeing their
colonies from the rebels. Aexcerv had an excellent service
record and was the epitome of the ideal of Greater Empire. His
hair, cut in the severe military style, was showing signs of
greying, yet he retain the vigor of his youth. As they passed
the viewports, they could see the other D'deridex-class and
Mogai-class ships docked and orbiting the station. They were on
their way to the airlock, where just two corridors ahead in the
station, the Praetor's shuttle was docked.
Kamemor - "Chancellor Kurn has informed me that two Klingon
fleets of 250 ships will be arriving within the hour."
Aexcerv - "I was just informed that Gorn, Kinshaya and Breen
ships will be here within minutes. Once the Tholians and
Klingons arrive, we'll have the fleet the Humans will need for
their fight."
Kamemor - "I have always been puzzled by Humans and their
occasional and bloody strains against authority."
Aexcerv - "Personally, I do not understand why Drake I doesn't
simply execute all the rebels and their families. Its something
that all major powers have since time immemorial."
Kamemor - "Perhaps our association with the Humans is meant to
show us a different way, a better way."
Aexcerv - "It is something to ponder."
They reached the airlock, where the double-doors had already
opened to allow station techs to leave the warbird. Kamemor
watched them leave, then turned to face Aexcerv, her robes
swirling gracefully.
Kamemor - "I will soon be meeting Imperial Chancellor Ziyal on
matters of supply. I wish you and your fellow commanders
godspeed."
At that, a voice, that of Subcommander Rekar, cut through the
low hum of the station and the low buzz of the ship.
Rekar [voice] - "Commander, sensors have picked up several
wedge-shaped ships coming out of warp. It appears the Tholians
have arrived."
Aexcerv - "Thank you, subcommander. I'll be back on the bridge
shortly. Aexcerv out."
Kamemor - "I shall leave you to make your final preparations,
Commander."
Aexcerv watched as Kamemor turned gracefully and made her exit
back onto the station. Behind her, the last group of techs also
departed for the station. Aexcerv turned and marched back toward
the turbolift, passing the viewports as he did. He caught
glimpses of Gorn and Tholian ships intermingling with the other
Romulan ships. He smiled, knowing that soon the united fleet
would be fighting alongside the Humans. He expected to hear
about the Klingons arriving by the time he walked on the bridge.
#Post#: 100--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: August 1, 2015, 4:59 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hekla Squadron approaching Outpost K-15. I.K.S Tovargh
At any other time, an approach to a Romulan outpost would be
considered rather unusual, unless it related to the Remans. But
Commodore N'Brasho was eager to join the coalition fleet. He
knew he would lose his commodore rank once his squadron arrived
at the station, but he had already studied Commander Aexcerv's
record and knew him to be a cunning warrior worthy of the praise
of even Kahless himself. From the Tactical station, K'Gara
informed him that the Tholians had just dropped out of warp
close to the station.
N'Brasho - "Soulless bugs. They demand everyone be punctual yet
are late themselves."
K'Gara - "With respect, we're also late, sir."
N'Brasho - "That does not matter. We are late on occasion. They
are late all the time."
First Officer D'Laga grunted and the other Klingons chuckled
brusquely. N'Brasho couldn't fault them. He had dealt with
Tholians before and knew them very well. His twenty years of
experience had given him insight into every alien species
encountered. He was about to retell the story of his first
encounter with the Gorn when the communications terminal buzzed.
Treqa reached over from his chair and touched the control, then
rotated his chair to face N'Brasho.
Treqa - "I think Captain Ho'Ta would like a word, commodore."
N'Brasho - "Probably to tell me to salute the new commodore. Put
him on."
Treqa touched the controls again. A second later, the image of
Captain Ho'Ta appeared. His beard was flecked with bits of racht
and his hair was an unruly mane. N'Brasho couldn't help but
suppress a chuckle at his comrade's barbaric appearance.
Ho'Ta [voice] - "Hope you enjoyed your title of commodore, my
old friend. Now the Romulan has it."
N'Brasho - "I know. May he have better luck with it than I did.
"
Ho'Ta [voice] - "Have you seen the number of ships already
holding station?"
N'Brasho - "The Kinshaya will be arriving soon and we'll have
all the ships."
K'Gara - "Just picked up the Kinshaya fleet coming into range
now, sir."
Ho'Ta [voice] - "Those spheres they call ships are quite
impressive, even if primitive."
N'Brasho - "Never confuse primitive for effective, captain. They
can be quite lethal."
Ho'Ta [voice] - "We shall see if they live up to that
reputation. Ho'Ta out."
Treqa - "The station has greeted us in our language and assigned
us coordinates."
N'Brasho - "Helm put us at those coordinates. Signal Dremmix
that the flag is transferred to Commodore Aexcerv."
Treqa - "Message transferred and acknowledged."
N'Brasho - "Now that we have everyone here, we can begin our
glorious campaign with the Humans. Good work everyone."
#Post#: 143--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: August 13, 2015, 2:06 am
---------------------------------------------------------
GNN News exerpt
"...and we just learned that at 1630 hours, or just an hour and
a half ago, Imperial Chancellor Tora Ziyal on behalf of His
Imperial Majesty Drake I and Mediterran emissary Enrico Vandeo
on behalf of the Senato signed a Realignment Treaty which
temporarily brings Mediterra into the Civil War on the side of
the Imperial government. Mediterra would receive Imperial
protection in exchange for the leasing of temporary facilities.
The realignment is only for the duration of the military
conflict and is open to dissolution or renewal on a more
permanent basis. This news comes on the heels of news from
Ch'Rihan about a coalition fleet comprised of Romulan, Klingon,
Kinshaya, Gorn, Cardassian, Breen, and Tholian ships. This
coalition task-force, commanded by a Romulan, will play a major
role in the otherwise Earther vs Earther civil war. We'll
continue to follow these events as they happen.."
#Post#: 181--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: September 28, 2015, 3:23 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Two: Greater Empire of Showa
While the Civil War was having unsettling impacts on many of its
neighbors, the Greater Empire of Showa, along with the United
Tribes of Mongolistan, used the Civil War to stake claims on
worlds which, unknown to them, were rebel bastions. Though the
Mongols would submit any claims they made on the planets and
systems in which the planets were located (and for the most part
receive them) as part of the later peace treaty, Showa would not
be denied their prizes...or their chance to shed rebel blood in
the name of the Shogun. The new shogun, Jirihito, had already
laid down his military roadmap to greater shogunal and imperial
conquests, his political reform plans would shake the very
foundation of the shogunal and daimyo powerbase upon which the
empire had been built.....
Kurybashi Palace, Takayama, New Edo
Many of the daimyo were impatient for the legislative session to
begin, having been pulled away from the various minor
battlefields in systems well outside the Imperial combat zones
but tantalizingly close to their own borders. They sat with
their legs folded beneath them, on plush cushions as was the
traditional custom, descended from their ancestral Earther
countrymen from Japan. Many of them brandished various medals
showing the commendations bestowed on them by the shoguns who
until now had governed briefly and only as a means of more
easily interacting with outlanders. The appointment of the
newest shogun, Jirihito, was a foregone conclusion. But since
his ascension to the shogunate, Jirihito had begun taking a more
active than usual role in politics and military tactical
planning. Though his new attentions did benefit them militarily,
with the annexations of over 6 star systems with planets ripe
for colonization, mining, and exploitation, his political plans
had caused much unease among the daimyo, from whom Jirihito had
been selected to ascend to the shogunate.
While the majority of the population was Earther, there was one
alien race which was also strongly represented among the daimyo,
and made different from the Earthers by their various shades of
blue to violet skin. Their eyes also varied in color, ranging
from gold to white (unnerving to Earther daimyo) to a deep
crimson red. This race, known to the Earthers as Navi-chan, had
inhabited three of the original six star systems settled by the
Humans. The Navi-chan had been nicknamed 'dark daimyo' by their
Human counterparts. For their part, the Navi-chan took this all
in stride. Relations between the two races was so peaceful that
a new race of mixed Human-Navichan beings had arisen to form a
third caste.
Jirihito entered the chamber, his flowing robes concealing his
own samurai armor, which was the brightest blue ever seen by
Humans. The bright blue armor was a stark contrast to his
slightly violet skin tone, as Jirihito was a mixed
Human-Navichan hybrid. He was the first ever hybrid to be
selected to ascend to the shogunate, and he made it clear from
day one that he would treat all citizen-subjects of the Greater
Empire with the same balance of harshness and compassion,
strictness and amicability. As he strode into the chamber, the
daimyo in their circle stood up and bowed to him. Jirihito, not
wanted to waste time with protocol, motioned for them to sit
back down. The two main rules in session were that only the
shogun could remain on his feet, and no one was to speak until
invited to do so by the shogun. There were no known records of
violations of said rules, and nobody had recently dared to try.
Jirihito - "My brave daimyo, who have come from battlefields
near and far. I am relieved that you have come here on this
urgent of matters."
Takeshima Utori - "We have been waiting seventeen minutes. That
was two minutes over the fifteen you said you needed to prepare
your speech. You realize we have warriors under our banners who
are dying at this moment, while we the generals who should be
meeting the enemy in the same field as our men, sharing their
hardships, sit here, on this cushy pillows?"
Jirihito - "Take care with your words in future, Utori.
Otherwise I may have to inform your warriors that their general
will be replaced because he lost his life at the capital due to
a slip of the tongue."
Moritani snuffed at the statement, not really caring whether he
died here or on the battlefield. He and Jirihito used to be
close companions who shared the distinction of being the only
hybrids to achieve the high rank of daimyo. The Earther class
were basically anointed by their ancient bloodlines as daimyo,
and only half actually had the military record worthy of the
rank while the other half talk big but likely have never seen a
battlefield outside a documentary film-vid. The Navi-chan had to
work hard and win glory in order to achieve the rank.
Moritani - "You let that shogunal robe go to your head, young
pup. You strut like an Earth peacock while forgetting that you
came from this number and can return to it easily, either alive
or dead."
Jirihito - "Our blood bond may be strong, but it would not
prevent me from cutting your tongue out if you speak to me like
that again."
Jirihito waited to see if anyone else would rise to interrupt
him or support both Utori and Moritani. When no one else spoke,
he continued.
Jirihito - "Our empire is growing by strength each day, and we
incorporate more races and other scattered fragments of Humanity
into our bosom. It is high time this legislative assembly take
stock of this fact and accept my proposal to expand the body
while at the same time making the office and title of shogun a
more permanent holding."
cont'd>
#Post#: 182--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: September 29, 2015, 1:01 am
---------------------------------------------------------
<cont'd
Matsuhiro Makenada, a young Earther daimyo of 23 years of age
broke the tradition of remaining seated, standing up to face
Jirihito. For what felt like eternity to everyone in the
chamber, silence descended. Many of the daimyo expected Jirihito
to unsheathe his katana and slice Makenada across the throat,
bringing an end to his life before he could form a word.
Jirihito's hand moved down toward the katana on his belt, and
his jaw set in anger. Makenada, for his part, remained
oblivious.
Makenada - "You want to become dictator of the empire? Do you
truly believe the common people will accept you?"
Jirihito - "That brings us back to the legislative proposal.
Expansion by inclusion. Instead of you 24 battle-drunk,
politically incompetent men solely serving as legislators, we
add the middle-class and plebeians to the government. This way
they could approve my permanent occupancy of the shogunate."
Utori - "Permanent, that is, until someone assassinates you.
Your move will result in just that very thing. As it stands now,
it is already a competition to acquire the shogun title. Making
it more permanent will only open you to challenges and
assassination attempts from those who want the power for
themselves."
Jirihito - "If that is a threat, Utori, then it is a mistake to
have made it. For if something does happen to me, my own
warriors will be certain to have you skinned alive and your skin
put on display for all to see."
Utori - "Have you so little trust in your own daimyo that you
would suspect me of wanting to replace you?"
Jirihito - "I'm a shogun. It comes with the territory."
Moritani now rose, more defiantly than Makenada had done
earlier.
Moritani - "There is no way that I would support your shogunate
as a more permanent office. Not after your disrespect for our
blood bond."
Several other daimyo, emboldened by Moritani's stand, also
raised their voices in opposition. Jirihito couldn't believe how
quickly his own beloved daimyo had turned against him. His rage
built up to a boil, and without thinking, he unsheathed his
katana and slashed at a bouquet of flowers on a low table near
the Circle. Every flower blossom fell off, sliced neatly by the
blade.
Jirihito - "Perhaps your talents are better suited to the
battlefield. I will take my proposal to the subject peoples with
on additional change....replacement of you with new counsels.
Now, get out of my sight and return to the battlefields."
The gathering remained seated, silent. Some were now furious
over how Jirihito had casually dismissed them. Others were angry
with their fellow daimyo for provoking their shogun. One lone
daimyo rose from his cushion, looking ready to yield. Jirihito
expected that the last person he counted on to rise to challenge
was someone as liberal and naive as Fujito Ishikawa. Ishikawa, a
25-year-old from one of the outlying planets within Showa,
locked eyes with the shogun.
Ishikawa - "I speak only for myself, sire. You do make strong
arguments in favor of your plan. I remain skeptical about making
the shogunate a more permanent office."
This seemed to cool Jirihito considerably.
Jirihito - "Skepticism is a healthy thing. It only becomes
disagreeable with rhetoric. Now why can't the rest of you show
similar backbone?"
Utori - "Fine. We'll support your legislative expansion
idea....provided that there is sufficient support among the
common people."
Moritani rose then, hand on his katana on his belt.
Moritani - "You are a fool to support such blasphemy as what he
is proposing. The Greater Empire has existed for almost 100
years without a permanent executive and a small legislature. Now
you wish to allow him to usurp the title."
Ishikawa - "Put down your blade, half-breed, before you cut
yourself with it."
Moritani lunged at Ishikawa. Fortunately, Ishikawa was fast on
the draw. His blade was in his hand before Moritani had even
taken the first step. Their blades met in a loud cling sound
that echoed in the chamber. The other daimyo bolted from their
cushions and moved quickly out of the way of the two men as they
dueled. While Moritani hacked like a madman, Ishikawa was more
steady and relaxed in his counterattacks. Both men waited for an
opening the other's defense so they could deliver the killing
strike. Because of this, neither men gained any advantage until
Moritani suddenly became distracted by the sight of a dagger in
Jirihito's clawed hand. His lack of attention on his opponent
gave Ishikawa the opening he needed. He brought his blade down
on the arms of Moritani, causing a primal scream to burst from
his lips even as both of his arms detached from his body just
below the elbows and dropped to the floor near a fellow daimyo's
cushion. Continuing his motion, Ishikawa drove the end of his
other sword point-first into Moritani's now exposed back, using
the momentum to drive his stricken enemy into the ground.
Moritani dropped to the floor with a thud, and blood began to
pool beneath him.
Ishikawa looked to the shogun to see his reaction and was
horrified when Jirihito fixed his crimson eyes on him, a look of
pure hatred for the killing of his blood-bound comrade. Jirihito
swung his own blade around and took Ishikawa's head clean off
his shoulders in a near-instant.
cont'd >
#Post#: 183--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: September 29, 2015, 2:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
<cont'd
Jirihito wiped the blood from his sword before returning it to
the sheath on his belt. The remaining daimyo were stone silent
as Jirihito stared them down. Finally, he motioned for an aide
who had been located in a darkened corner of the chamber
forward. He came quickly, and dropped to the floor in
supplication, his head a mere inch from Jirihito's toes.
Jirihito - "Announce that the Moritani and Ishikawa family
estates and riches are now the property of the government, seize
their holdings on the other worlds, eliminate any surviving
house members who resist. Then, inform the next-in-command of
their warriors that they are now promoted to daimyo with the
seized holdings of these two as their award."
The aide kissed Jirihito's toes then backpedaled while still on
his knees, not rising until he was at the entryway, where he
then sprinted away. The other daimyo looked horrified by
Jirihito's command.
Jirihito - "If their kinsmen do not resist, then they have a
chance to reclaim what they can, and acquire what cannot be
replaced. If on the other hand, they resist, then no mercy will
be shown. As for the rest of you, you have a choice. Make it
now."
For several long minutes, nobody uttered a sound, either too
angered by what had happened, or too fearful of the consequences
of their choices or lack of. Nine yeard as a daimyo had
established the impatience tendency in Jirihito. But his new
shogunal rank intensified it to extremes. Just as he thought he
would have to decapitate another daimyo to spur a decision,
Utori made the announcement.
Utori - "We will agree to your proposals....but know
this......you have spurned any support you have in this Circle
by shedding the blood of fellow daimyo. The office and title may
become permanent, but your custodianship of both may not remain
as permanent."
With that, and without a by-your-leave from Jirihito, Utori and
the other daimyo rose from their cushions and walked out,
leaving a fuming Jirihito, who did nothing to stop them. After
all, he didn't want the janitors to have to mop up the blood.
The great political revolution swept across the Greater Empire
of Showa and soon attracted the attention of both the
Gaian-based Imperial government and the rebel pseudo-government.
But while it would be Jirihito who would make contact with the
Empire, it would be the rebels who would make contact with the
surviving members of House Moritani and House Ishikawa, offering
clandestine help in settling the score against House Jirihito.
Within three weeks of holding the vote, the citizen-subjects
unanimously supported the creation of a bicameral legislature
giving the merchants and lower-class a voice (though the poorest
from the lower-class were forbidden due to their classification
as 'unclean'). The decision to make the shogunal title a more
permanent fixture in the executive, however, was not as
popularly accepted. Several daimyo and members of the fallen
Houses Moritani and Ishikawa strongly opposed Jirihito becoming
the permanent shogun, while the middle-class were unsure of the
idea of a permanent shogun. Nonetheless, enough support remained
to get the measure passed.
#Post#: 184--------------------------------------------------
Re: Elsewhere across Trekylon and the nonaligned nations
By: MichaelH23 Date: October 2, 2015, 5:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Kurybashi Palace, one week later
Jirihito was drenched in sweat as he left the practice yard. He
had been training for five hours straight with little break,
which came as a surprise to his physicians as they monitored his
heartrate, blood pressure, and respiration rates. Because of his
unique physiology, they were there to record every piece of data
they could on his body functions and reflex responses. Jirihito
was happy that the measures he pushed hard to enact had finally
been accepted, even if reluctantly, by the people. The few
surviving members of Houses Moritani and Ishikawa had finally
capitulated only after nearly all members had been executed.
They had lost their vast treasures, almost all their lands, and
their many titles, forcing some to start all over again to
regain their honor. While the remnant families turned on each
other verbally with savage excess, they still reserved their
heated rages for the shogun. Jirihito began to feel sympathy for
his fellow monarch, Drake I of Trekylon, as he was dealing with
the backlash from his own choices.
As Jirihito entered his dressing room, attended only by four of
his personal house-staff, a courier entered the room. His head
was down and his eyes downcast as he entered as no one except
for concubines were allowed to gaze upon the flesh of the
shogun. In his hand, he held a rolled up paper tied with a
ribbon. While they relied on technology much as other nations
did (to some degree) all missives meant for the shogun was
brought to him the traditional way, on paper scrolls.
Courier - "Forgive my intrusion, Sire, but this report has been
sent to you from the Bureau of Foreign Affairs. Its a recount of
Daimyo Koribati's battle with the Trekylonian rebels near
Sigishina."
Jirihito snatched away the scroll, then dismissively waved off
the courier, who rather than seek a by-your-leave from the
shogun, did as ordered and left the room in a hurry. Jirihito
opened the scroll and read the report, feeling a measure of
satisfaction. Two days before, a rebel squadron had conducted a
pirate raid on shipping lines between Sigishina and Nayota, two
heavily agricultural worlds on the outliers, which was their
designation for the borderlands. Daimyo Koribati, who was a
staunch ally of Jirihito's, pursued the rebel squad with a dozen
cruisers and defeated them with the loss of only two cruisers to
their 27 frigates. Jirihito tossed the scroll on a nearby table,
then gestured for his attendants to bring a fresh set of robes.
Fifteen minutes later, Jirihito was on his way to the Main
Audience Room, where three daimyo stood uneasy. One of them he
recognized as his second closest ally, Fujimori Osake. Osake and
his companions, Takeda Matsu and Yunijiro Nokoshimi were
middle-aged men with medals bedecking their samurai armor,
streaks of grey in their beards and hair, and a somber look on
their faces.
Osake - "Sire, I bring grave news. It relates to the Houses of
Moritani and Ishikawa."
Jirihito - "What news? The surviving family members have
submitted rather than continue their foolish House Heads'
decision to oppose my plans. What could they be doing now?"
Matsu - "There is a rumor which is being looked into that they
may be seeking outside assistance in raising a revolt against
you. Only one other House has sided with them as of now, but if
they get outside help, they could attract more."
Jirihito - "What House could be foolish enough to side with the
renegades?"
Nokoshimi - "House Taeda, Sire."
Jirihito couldn't believe what he heard. House Taeda had been
the strongest proponent for his elevation to the shogunate,
aside from House Moritani. House Taeda's head, Tomojiri Taeda,
did not speak against Jirihito during the discussions leading to
the vote. Jirihito was heartbroken and angry at the same time.
Osake - "There is more, Sire."
cont'd >
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