The Great Houses - RP

[The Unknown Medallion he/him]

4 hours ago, Matrim's Dice said:

Anders raised a hand, keeping his cool. "We seem to have misunderstood each other. I merely mention the worth of the durralium to point out the difficulty of the decision you've asked me to make. I don't think it would be fair for you to want me to make a rash choice, don't you think?"

He gestured towards the Council Hall, though it was out of sight. "The rest of our leaders are just over there-- it would only take a moment. I'll even do the talking for you so you don't have to repeat yourself. But also, if you don't mind waiting, I'd be happy to go alone and then come get back to you."

—We do not wish you to make a rash decision, you may holo your council if you need to discuss, but we were told to meet here. We do not leave, except to leave this system. Holo your council, we will even provide you as much privacy as you desire, but this is our meeting place and it will stay as such.—

[NerdyAarakocra They/Them]

A launch is detected in the Tau Cluster

2 layers are free for allies and @Lotus Blossom

Spoiler

Classified 1

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The launch is a shipment of goods to house Ancasia.

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Classified 2

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The shipment is 10,000 credits of military goods.

 

 

 

 

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

A transmission is sent from the new Ydras and Hydif planet.

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This spoiler can be viewed completely by my allies.

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Sector 1:

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Transmission is sent to House Derose @SmilingPanda19

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Sector 2:

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It is about House Derose’s spy boxes

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Sector 3:

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House Derose, in order to rebuild the Ydras house we need a large army. The planet we are on has large amounts of metal and crystal but we need a larger workforce. We will be willing to trade military help (with our newly built military) for a workforce. We will also give you 1/3 of the ships we build after the house is rebuilt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NerdyAarakocra They/Them]

@The Known Novel

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What happened to the ship you sent that was approaching my system? I sent an envoy.

 

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

The following documents have been leaked from recent Ancasian records.

Spoiler

Classified 1.

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Colonization Attempt Beta failed due to unknown reasons. However, enough information was collected from the experiment that a new ship will be planned to be launched in due time.

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Classified 2.

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The research on finding an alternative faster ship technology has been extended for another 2 months. Ancasians have come very close to finding this high advanced automation.

 

 

 

Aurelia Natalya, her family, and her entourage has returned from Drukarus. Immediately, Aurelia Natalya went to her desk, without saying a word to the House Ancasia. She sat down, and picked up her royal transmitter.

A transmission is sent to House Min'oTaar. Only @Unintelligenius may see this message. Others must use a spy action.

Spoiler

Classified 1.

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House Ancasia requests an appearance with House Min'oTaar to discuss potential alliance terms.

 

A ship leaves Karal.

Spoiler

Classified 1.

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It is headed towards Jropoux.

 

 

Edited September 1, 2023 by Lotus Blossom

[Mags she/they]

House Tolls has been oddly quiet lately.

SB (visible to allies)

Spoiler

Secret

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The first shipment of manufactured goods, equipment, and several starships is sent to House Yaelar's new planet. It should arrive in the middle of the next cycle.

 

 

Edited September 1, 2023 by Justice_Magician

[Guest Ψιτιsτηε Βεsτ]

Spoiler

 

House fiisoss releases a very very large amounts of ships from their planet

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Hidden 1

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Whole fleet

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2

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Attacking Minotaur 

 

 

 

 

[SmilingPanda19 Any!]

Headmistress Fiona sits at the head of the table. Everyone sits quietly in the banquet hall. The only sound is the scrape of forks on plates. 

“How many troops are gathered?” She doesn’t even look up at her from her plate as she directs the question to her eldest daughter. 

“Three billion, your grace.” Eleanor Derose, first heir to the throne, sits next to her mother. She lays her hands down against the table, thinking. 

“Where are we to send these troops, your excellency?” 

“Send them to the Yaelar sector.” Fiona nods. Eleanor waves her hand and the communication officer standing on the side of the room rushes to the communication offices and types in the codes. 

[Bzz]  . . . [click.click.click] . . . sending files B829HITY82 to [Terminal 9C] . . . [Announcement] . . . [Processing] . . . [click.click.click] [Transmission Open: H6B3]

The robotic voice rings out over Drukarus's main military channel. 

[beep] [beep] Send troops to coordinates, House Yaelar. 

The officer comes back with a little slip of paper. He hands it to Eleanor. 

"Thank you sir. You may return to your post." She waves him away and turns back to her family. 

"The troops have been sent out and have just left the atmosphere." A mumble comes from the other side of the table. 

"You've just sent three billion fathers and mothers away from their loved ones, your insane." Claude pokes at his food, not appearing to be hungry. 

"What did you say Claude?" Judas sets down his fork and looks over at his brother. 

"I said. Your torturing the people, Judas." The two boys practically stared each other down. Athena kicks him under the table roughly, but he ignores it. 

"Claude Apollo Derose." Edmund stands up from his chair, his hands on the table. 

"Don't you say my middle name." Claude stands up as well, his eyes snapping to his fathers direction. 

"Sit down, son." 

"Don't you dare call me your son!" Judas's hand slaps clear across his face. The impact can be heard across the hall and Claude's cheek turns red. Claude holds a stone face, moving his head to look at his elder brother. 

"Where have your manners gone?" Judas huffs firmly. 

"Where is your respect?"  Athena yells, setting down her silverware. 

"Your such a brat Claude! A rotten brat! Now sit down!" She stands up out of her chair, limping and shaking horribly on one leg, pointing to his angrily. He meets her eyes. 

"My respect is for the people, not this filthy rotten family." He pulls his hand out from under the table revealing a gun. 

"And I am not the brat here, you are." 

BANG!

A bullet straight through her heart. 

Athena drops holding her chest. Her dark red blood scattering everywhere. Athena Juliet Derose, dead at nineteen at being shot by her own brother. He was her guardian, the one persons who entire life was dedicated to protecting her. Her guardian shot her dead. 

She never treated him right. To her, he was just a tool. Tools are made to be used and disposed of after use. When she was just five years old she fell off the third floor balcony to the palace. Her back was broken and she from that point on would never walk normally again. Her left leg from the knee down was completely immobilized due to nerve damage, and it was all Claude's fault. Seven year old little Claude was in the room, he had been beside her up to the moment she fell. He had accidentally bumped her off during a game. What he didn't know is his life would change that day too. He was never treated the same ever again. He is forever the family disgrace, the problem child, the guardian who couldn't even do his job. It still hurt him to this day. 

Every day Athena would take advantage of this to get what she wanted, throw a tantrum, and if her guardian didn't do whatever she wanted then he was being a disappointment once again. She always reminded him of this incident, day in and day out, until he couldn't take it anymore. He got sick of her, sick of her demands, sick of his family. It all just sickened him. As he got older he saw how horrible his family treated the people of Drukarus, how wrong their governing is, but what can the problem child do? 

Claude turns to the side, holding his gun up again. 

BANG!

Eleanor goes down, she falls to the ground with a bullet through her shoulder. 

Judas dives over the table tackling Claude to the ground, throwing the gun aside. 

"Stop it you monster!" Judas beats Claude to the ground. Claude just sees lines of black and blue flutter through his vision, coughing horribly. 

"For the people." Claude lets go of a breath and passes out, covered in blood, bruises, and broken limbs. 

Judas is huffing covered in blood. Edmund and Fiona stand at opposite ends of the table, dumbstruck. Atlas and Caspian are holding Ruby and Scarlett against them, the two little girls sobbing. Eleanor leans back against her chair, a bullet through her shoulder, as she tries to stop the flow of blood. Athena lays dead against the ground. 

The room has been painted red. 

"Your highness!" The communication director runs into the room, his jaw dropping at the gruesome scene. 

"T-theres r-rioting ou-outside the c-castle." He stutters to spit out, staring down, traumatized. 

"For the people." Judas mumbles, jumping up and dashing down the hallway. He slams against the window to look outside, not caring that he is tracking blood everywhere. 

Thousands of Serpentarii stand at the castle gates, shooting down soldiers left and right. The military is already gone. They are left with nothing to defend themselves. 

"Claude, your one smart kid, I'll give you that." He whispers. 

That day the entire castle was stormed by a million. The royal family was captured and held captive by the people. The communication offices were blown up and every line to and from Drukarus was cut making all communication to be met with static. The entire planet goes completely silent, and the three billion Serpentarii are stranded without communication to get home. 

And to think this all started because a little boys voice was silenced, so he learned to use his fists. 

The entire planet of Drukarus, and House of Derose goes completely and utterly silent. 

House Derose and the planet of Drukarus is left dormant for an unknown period of time. 

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So for the time being I think I'm going to pull out of the Great Houses rp. I enjoy it a lot, but it is taking up more time than I bargained for. I have put in place from the beginning the option to pull out at any time I want. (With an epic explosion or something, obviously) I am leaving my house and planet dormant for an unknown extended period of time, so if I decide to come back I can. My house can always rebuild its empire if it comes down to it. Thank you all for letting me join in here, hope it was a spectacular end to my house. 

House Yaelar has permission to take my military troops. 

House Ancasia has permission to take any and all resources from my planet they would like. (Steel, Stone, Jewels, etc.) 

Anyone has permission to blame the sudden fall of House Derose on anyone. Have fun with that! Start some wars! I'll check on here every once and a while just for the memes. 

(Excuse my grammar in this entire thing, I didn't have time to go back and edit my horrible grammar. I apologize) 

 

[Guest Ψιτιsτηε Βεsτ]

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Just feeling around, who would want to continue, and who would want to stop either temporarily or permanently?

 

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

41 minutes ago, ΨιτιsτηεΒέsτ said:

 

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I’d keep going, if other people want to.

 

[The Unknown Medallion he/him]

45 minutes ago, ΨιτιsτηεΒέsτ said:

 

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I'm going to stay, just kinda busy. 

 

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

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I am unsure at the moment... I may still do it... but in a few weeks I will probably be off for a while

 

[Mags she/they]

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I will keep playing

 

[Guest Ψιτιsτηε Βεsτ]

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I would also continue

 

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

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I'll keep playing.

Also, this is House Ancasia's side of what happened on Drukarus (pre-planned with Panda).

Iola's heels tapped quickly across the long, cold halls of the Derose Palace. She was shaking her head furiously. Everything had gone wrong. So, incredibly wrong.

Yinsun, the other Havel sent on this mission, ran after her. He started ripping away at his outfit. That of a butler. He was muttering into his transmitter. They needed to get out. Claude was still inside the room, coughing up his final breaths. He only shot two of the heirs. House Derose was falling, yes, but the people were rioting. This wasn't the plan. It was too late to save Claude. Way too late. And the five other Ancasians were trapped in that room.

"The bargain," Iola muttered, untying her apron as she urgently made her way to the back gates of the palace. Her disguise would slow her down. This was an emergency. Where were the others? The House Ancasia was supposed to be in the room, making sure everything went smoothly. To protect him. To ensure an escape root.

"To hell with the bargain. We need all of Ancasia off Drukarus,"  Yinsun whispered violently under his breath.

"Protection. We were sent for protection," Iola scoffed, punching in coordinates on the transmitter.

They ran out into the open air. All they could see was a plain of blood. The rebellion had made its way into the palace.
It was then that Iola stopped in her tracks. The realization came upon both of them at the same time.

"Curse me." Iola spun on her heels to face Yinsun. Yinsun gripped the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning white. He just nodded, his eyes showing pure devastation and fear. He heaved a sigh and immediately ran back inside the palace. Iola took one last glance at the sky, knowing that it would most likely be the last time she saw it. Then, she followed after him, into the palace which would be her grave.

Their lives weren't as important as the three royal children who had snuck onto this mission. If Iola and Yinsun returned alive, but the royals, dead, they would be executed. Curse those Draecins. Why must the three have come? They weren't supposed to. They were so young. Only teenagers. Wanting excitement. And now this.

No. They had to save them. Or at least try to.
They ran up the staircase. The rebellion was everywhere, along with the royals. Blood was spraying. Death was narrowly avoided.

They were right there. Just about to reach the dining room, where the Ancasians were trapped.

And then Yinsun heard a scream from behind him.

Iola was stabbed through the stomach, gasping for air, then falling limp. In a flash of fury, Yinsun attacked the Serpentarii who had stabbed her.

But another snuck up from behind him. 

It was too late. His eyes grew wide once he saw the rebel approach. His reflexes to even have the chance to react.

His scull was smashed open, and he fell on the staircase, slippery and wet with blood. He placed a weak hand on his head. It was sticky and red.

He looked at Iola, dead beside him.

And breathed his last staggered breath.

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Amyra Ay sent a glance to her cousin, Aeryn Ancasia. They exchanged a smile underneath the table cloth.

The conversation was getting heated. Claude was bound to kill the heirs anytime now. Such an intricate plan. Such an intelligent betrayal.

Amyra's twin, Arielle, had found out about their plan to get aboard the ship, and just insisted on coming along. Arielle threatened telling their grandfather, and so she was let aboard.Of course, Arielle made it her mission to ruin everything about it for Amyra. But Amyra didn't mind.

She and Aeryn hesitated under the table. They had waited the entire dinner. Soon, the conversation escalated. Aeryn clutched Amyra's arm with anticipation.

BANG!

Arielle tugged on the tablecloth.

BANG!

Arielle looked over to Amyra with an evil smile.

BANG!

This wasn't a gunshot. No. It was Claude, getting thrown to the ground.

Arielle swiftly moved back. She was uncertain. When she looked again at her twin, it was with eyes of fear. Amyra didn't make eye contact with Arielle.

Chaos.

Arielle stumbled out from underneath the table. No one noticed her in the discord. Her knees and hands were painted red from the blood seeping into the rug of the dining room.

----------

Claude was struggling to fight Judas. For a moment, he turned his head. He faced the table, his head pushed towards the ground.  

There was a split second before the final blow.

Before coughing up his last words and spitting out blood.

And in that moment, he locked eyes with Amyra.

Claude's eyes grew wide. Amyra looked at him with interest from her place underneath the table. Her lips parted ever so slightly. There, as she made eye contact, she almost pleaded with the vulnerable Claude. Questioning him. As if to say, You will die. Why would you do such a thing?

He answered.

"For the people."

Amyra lingered there a second longer. Her mouth formed what could be seen as a smile.

 

Her cousin, Aeryn, tugged on her. Amyra quickly ran out with her. They dashed into the halls and escaped into an unoccupied side room. The sounds of screams echoed. Arielle was already in the room, leaning back against the wall and breathing heavily. Amyra looked at her arms. They had been scraped up in all the chaos, and the blood dripped onto the rug of the small sitting room. Aeryn shut the door and locked it, then ran to Amyra's side.

Arielle's face shriveled up in disgust when she saw her twin.
"How'd you even manage? I knew you were reckless, but that's gonna leave scars." Arielle laughed under her breath.

Amyra ignored her. She also ignored the wounds, but Aeryn insisted on treating them. Amyra tried to think of some sort of plan while the rest of the palace became a blood bath. Aeryn ripped off the rim of her clothes, creating a temporary bandage which she deftly wrapped around Amyra's arms to stop blood flow.

Amyra resisted, but Aeryn gave her a stern look. "I won't let you bleed dry. Not after all that work of saving your life." Amyra gave in and let her cousin treat the scrapes.

A message crackled on Amyra's transmitter. Send me your coordinates. I'm in the Drukarus airfield.
All three of them heaved a small sigh of relief. It was Theo, Aeryn's twin. He was let in on the mission and agreed to standby. Aeryn must have sent an SOS signal to him earlier when the plan went askew. Amyra smiled and sent their coordinates back to Theo. They pulled up the large window in the room. Outside, there was dust and blood. All they could see were infinite rioters storming the palace. Soon, they saw the small ship that Theo had most likely stolen from the Ancasia hangar. Theo approached the window, and opened the ship door. Arielle pushed her way inside the ship first, of course. Then Aeryn went in, and she helped Amyra up. The door shut, and the ship evacuated the area, back to Karal.

"Aha! Who just saved all of your lives out there??" Theo said, grinning as he haphazardly drove the ship through the cluster.

"Too soon." Arielle groaned. That shut him up. No one dared talk for the next few hours.

Soon enough, Amyra couldn't stand Theo's driving. She threw up her hands in exasperation, and crossed into Theo's seat to take over the controls. "I love danger, but getting in a ship with you is just plain suicide." Theo pouted and climbed to the back, but couldn't help laughing under his breath.

They continued on their way back to Karal.

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by Lotus Blossom

[NerdyAarakocra They/Them]

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I'd love to keep this going!

@Lotus Blossom vvv

Spoiler

Classified 1 for everyone except Lotus

Spoiler

My ship with the goods has arrived in your system.

 

A message is broadcast on public hyperwaves:

Due to the unfortunate circumstances befalling the galaxy, House Thlf'phhrmth is now selling a limited quantity of Axiom at a rate of 9,000 credits per kilogram. We accept trade goods, credits, and house debt. Supplies are limited, so act fast! Send a message to House Thlf'phhrmth via a secure channel (PM or classified box) if you're interested in this once-in-an-eon deal.

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

A fleet and a seperate shipment both enter the new Ydras/Hydif sector. 

Spoiler

Sector 1:

Spoiler

The fleet is from House Derose and the shipment(s) are from house Tolls.

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Sector 2:

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These shipments contain Troops from Derose and Supplies, goods, equipment, etc. From Tolls.

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Sector 3:

Spoiler

These supplies will be used to make a new fleet, finished in 3 cycles, to take back the Yaelar planet.

 

 

 

 

 

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

At 00:00 on SST 8.210.39, all the computers at the research headquarters on the tenth and eleventh moons of Karal went black.
Approximately 02.893 split-SSUnits later, the screens blinked the following message in bright green:

{"Coordinates": "REQUIRED_DATA: Most provide a token value for parameter 't' on all authenticated transmissions."}

{"ReferenceID."ERROR":"Coordinates_Lost","ErrorId":13,"Signals":null,"ErrorProperty":null," "Transmissions": null."}

{"SpacexTime," un_defined: "value for parameter 'x' not shown." ERROR.}

Spoiler

Classified 1.

Spoiler

The computers were tracking the five ships launched during the first cycle. Three of the ships have been lost. Two have been undetected. An unidentified signal has been crossing through broken up transmission waves. All communication signals have been cut off. The unidentified signal is predicted to either be the Axiom shipment, an attacking ship or an otherwise dangerous object. It is approaching at fast speeds, and so the signals are glitched. All whereabouts of the ships are unknown.

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Classified 2.

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Three ships are suspected to be aimlessly drifting in the Tau cluster, although this is all a prediction. Those three have been completely wiped off all transmitters and radars. At 00:00 on SST 8.210.39, all five ships lost communication at the same time, which is uncalled for and unusual. The two ships that were sent in adjacent sectors of the Tau cluster have lost signal, but are still detected in the radars. They are approaching unknown and unclaimed territory, and there is no way to reach them. All Ancasian scientists held their breath. This could be good, but also could be very, very, bad.

Spoiler

Classified 3.

Spoiler

The unidentified approaching signal is in fact the missing Axiom shipment that the ships were initially searching for.

 

 

 

 

 

@NerdyAarakocra may open the spoiler boxes above. Everyone else must use spy actions. ^^

Edited September 5, 2023 by Lotus Blossom

[NerdyAarakocra They/Them]

A launch is detected in the Tau cluster, traveling at an unusual speed.

@Lotus Blossom can read one level of this: my allies can read the full thing. Everyone else needs to use a spy action.

Launch #106890

All clear received

Launching...

[Error]
[Communications lost]

[Static]

[Encrypted]

Spoiler

Classified 1

Spoiler

[Outgoing message]

Ancasia has sent ships to track down the missing Axiom shipment - a strategic resource that cannot fall into the wrong hands. Your mission - obtain shipment at all costs.

[Incoming message]

Hyperwave jump traces detected. We're following the Ancasia ships with our trackers - they seem not to have noticed us yet.
They certainly know what they're doing. They may beat us to the Axiom.

[Outgoing message]

For now, follow them and keep us posted. Further directives to follow.

[Incoming message]

Rodger that.

[Encrypted]

Spoiler

Classified 2

Spoiler

[Incoming message]

We've lost all signal from the Ancasia ships - it's like they suddenly disappeared.

[Outgoing message]

Patch us into video and send a drone to where they last were seen.

[Incoming message]
[Video feed accessed]

We've sent the drone. There's something that looks like their ship, and... wha- [static]

[Incoming mesage]

We've lost [static] the drone. Something's there... We'll go [static]vestigate. Hopefully we can [static] what's going on.

[Outgoing message]

Go, then.

[Encrypted]

Spoiler

[Incoming message]

We have a visual... what is that? [static]
[VIDEO LOST]

[Incoming message]

What th[static]... it's [static] massive! This must be what happened to the [static] ships... [static] the shipment [static] oh no[static] RUN! IT'S COMING!

[Static]
[CONNECTION LOST]

 

 

 

 

 

[Mags she/they]

Nal finally decided she ought to go check on the Chieftain. It had been a while since he had ordered her to do something ridiculous, and she was starting to get worried. He had periods where he ignored everyone due to his . . . condition, but never for this long.

Technically, as a member of the scientific committee it wasn't her responsibility to check on him. That was his secretary's job, unfortunately Sho was absent minded at best. So she decided to visit him herself, just to make sure he was alright. Not that Nal cared for him much, but . . .Stars Around, they would fall apart if something happened to him. Madness was better then anarchy, she had to remind herself that often.

Nal left the scientific studies building and stepped out onto the street. The Citadel was a short walk from here. Today seemed even dustier then normal, the streetlights highlighted the murky air around her making a dirty fog. The city was quiet at this time, most would be resting. Not that it was night, there was was no daylight cycle in the cold vacuum of space. 

Several grimy roads later and she was at the Citadel. It was nothing more than a blocky shadow in the darkness, illuminated only by distant street lights and the stars. It used to have lights that would set the delicate architecture on display, but the energy for those lights had been sacrificed for more important things.

Nal hurried up the buildings stairs. She didn't trip in the darkness, if only because she had been here so many times. After passing through the front doors, which were only grand in her memory, she moved down a hallway that she knew led to Fiergid's office. A soft light came from the crack under his door; at least that meant he was here, right?

She knocked, but didn't receive an answer, as usual. Nal pushed into the room, after a brief moment of indecision.

"My lord?"

"Here," Fiergid said. He was seated at his desk, books piled sloppily around him. The Chieftain had a radio, which was on, but not set to a channel, so it just made constant static. The only light in the room came from a lamp beside him, it left his face shrouded in shadow.

"Um . . . I just wanted to check on you, its been a while since you spoke with anyone," Nal said.

"Do you need to speak with me about something?" Fiergid asked. He began humming to himself, as if there were music coming from the radio only he could hear. 

"No- I just thought . . . I mean, are you alright?" 

His reply was a little delayed, as if he hadn't heard her at first.

"Just fine," the Chieftain said. Fiergid turned his head to look at a different book, and the shadows on his face retreated. The Chieftain looked young for his sixties, but his white hair betrayed him. It contrasted starkly with his black skin. 

He had yellow eyes now. Nal swore they used to be a different color but she couldn't really remember. 

Nal opened her mouth to say something but she was interrupted.

"Fiergid?" A woman's voice coming from the radio asked. The sound of it was barely coherent as it pushed through the static. "We Must Speak Again."

The Chieftain looked at the radio, then at Nal. He narrowed his eyes at her; those yellow eyes looked like fire.

"Get out," Fiergid said, his voice monotone.  

Terrified, Nal rushed out of the room. 

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SB: (first layer can be read by allies)

Spoiler

Secret 1

Spoiler

The second shipment of supplies is ready and will be sent to the Yaeler system next cycle. Tolls waits anxiously for house Yaeler to deliver the requested food.

Spoiler

Secret 2

Spoiler

A radio message caught on some radars, if you searched hard enough. It's coming from a small moon in Toll's system.

Yes . . . I believe it is the whale. She speaks to those who listen. Those who are corrupted with the air. I believe she has stopped visiting planets now, because she has secured faithful servants. I know not what her endgame is. But it can't be good.

A second radio message can be found, perhaps in reply to the last one?

You Tollish must take care, if you visit a planet and your masks are compromised, you will loose their minds to Her. I fear what would happen if all of Tolls falls to this "Oxygen Sickness." I have heard signals from another near you. I believe they will be worth finding, they hinted at direct contact with the Her.

 

 

 

 

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

A shipment leaves the new Ydras planet.

This can be read completely by Ydras allies.

Spoiler

Sector 1:

Spoiler

The shipments are the requested food, being sent to House Tolls. They will arrive the first day of next cycle.

 

 

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

The computers at the Ancasian research headquarters blinked back on at precisely 00:00 on SST 12.405.71.
Then, a voice crackled on the transmission.
A voice from one of the ships.

Spoiler

Classified 1.

Spoiler

"We [inaudible] ow [inaudible] i [inaudible]."

 

The message was hard to make out through the glitched, broken signals.

Then, it was repeated.

Loud and clear.

 

"We found it."

It was the pilot.

Spoiler

Classified 2.

Spoiler

The entirety of the research headquarters of Ancasia cheered.

The pilot continued.

"We found it. We found it. Can you hear me? Over."

One of the head Trinxes on the operation took up the main transmitter. Others rushed about, informing the monarchs, the council, and the advisory.

"House Ancasia to mission 3o2z. We are back on signal! We hear you loud and clear. Over."

"I am Hanae Solin, the head pilot of one of the five ships sent on mission 3o2z. The Axiom has been successfully located and is now secured for its transportation to Karal. We've struck gold, and wow was this a hard one to find. I'm running some scurity checks on it now. Just to make sure it wasn't all banged up. This is quite the lifetime supply. Over."

The pilot was heard chuckling into the transmitter. The Trinx on the home end of the transmitter smiled and leaned back in his chair. They had done it.

"Congratulations. How long till it arrives? Over."

"Not sure. Shouldn't be too long. Some of the Faes onboard with me are figuring it out. Over."

"And what of the other ships? Over."

"We haven't had contact with three of the ships since we separated. The fourth ship was also lost, but they eventually returned on our radars. We were able to relocate it and the ship has little damage, although there seems to have been a  [glitch] since only the assistant pilot and [glitch] survives on that ship. Their ship also has the Axiom shipment in tow. Over."

"Okay. Keep on this line. We'll have the transmissions here live and running. Contact us whenever needed. Over."

"Sounds good to me! Hanae Solin clicking off. Over."

The Trinx set down the transmitter. The light and cheery mood of the pilot- who most likely was a Havel- was unfamiliar to Trinxes.

He just got up and nodded, muttering things to other associates in the research headquarters. What had happened to the ships? What could it have been? What caused them to lose signal? For some reason, he didn't fully trust peppy Hanae Solin.
But it doesn't matter now.

It was a success.

Mission 3o2z was a success.

They would have the Axiom in their clutches soon.

Now...

What to do with House Thlf'phhrmth?

 

He entered a room with confidential computers and sent a message.

Spoiler

Classified 3.

Spoiler

We have detected House Thlf'phhrmth's tracking of our ships. It won't be long before they find us. Secure the Axiom at all costs.

They're coming.

 

 

 

 

^^ @NerdyAarakocra may open the first two only. Everyone else must use a spy action.

 

Meanwhile, the other wings of the research headquarters were busy typing in cues and commands controlling microchips in beta plans of ships. Countless blueprints were thrown across the rooms, along with miniature models of ships. They were busy at work. They had very little time before it was employed in real-time usage.

Spoiler

Classified 1.

Spoiler

The ship hyperwave technology beta launch was successful!

The tactic will be put into use in 3 months, once it's perfected.

Once it is, House Ancasia would have developed an industry for ships using more efficient fuel and incredibly faster paces.

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Lotus Blossom

[Mags she/they]

Tolls continues to be rather quiet. The once secret attempts at trying to invent a faster, better kind of space craft have all but been abandoned. 

SB, First layer can be read by allies:

Spoiler

Secret 1:

Spoiler

The second shipment of supplies is finished being prepared and has left Tolls for the Yaeler system, the shipment of food from House Yaeler is received gratefully.

Spoiler

Secret 2:

Quote

You've intercepted a conversation over the radio, it appears to be the same 2 individuals as last time:

I've begun searching for this individual you mentioned, I believe you are correct in thinking they reside on the same moon I do. That being said, their exact location continues to allude me. It is my strongest hope this person is willing to share info, the desperate help signal makes me believe that could be the case. I will continue the search, the stars above know we need the information. 

This is good, I will continue my work here as always. You used that phrase . . . 'the stars above.' It makes me wonder. We refer to the stars often in our speech patterns, calling our friends patriots to the stars and etc. Could this be Her influence? Could referring to the stars in this way have something to do with her plans?
 

You have spent far too long in the dark in front of a desk my friend. I don't think an idiom alludes to the secret plannings of an ancient space whale.

 

 

 

 

 

[NerdyAarakocra They/Them]

The Tau cluster was abuzz with launches. A critical resource was about to fall into the wrong hands, and House Thlf'phhrmth needed to stop it. The intercepted encrypted message from House Ancasia confirmed their worst fears. Something needed to be done.

@Lotus Blossom can read the first layer only. All others must use a spy action.

Spoiler

Classified 1

Spoiler

House Thlf'phhrmth sends a message to Ancasia:

It is our understanding that you have a critical shipment belonging to us. We request that you return it to us, its rightful owners. We are a peaceful people and do not wish to use force, but we will if necessary.

Spoiler

Classified 2

Spoiler

A mysterious figure in a glass dome authorizes launches left and right. Some will intercept the Ancasia ship: others will close in from behind.

Axiom is important. Very, very important.

But unless the ambush is successful, Ancasia will soon learn about the other contents of that shipment.  

 

 

 

Meanwhile, House Thlf'phhrmth continues its initiative to boost its economy by selling ships and weapons. It has made 10,000 credits from a recent deal and invests that money into improving its military capabilities.

[Lotus Blossom she/her]

@NerdyAarakocra can read the first layer only. All others must use a spy action.

Spoiler

Classified 1.

Spoiler

House Ancasia replies almost immediately to House Thlf'phhrmth.

Please grace us with your presence here on Karal for a negotiation over the shipment. Let us discuss it peacefully.

Spoiler

Classified 2.

Spoiler

Aurelia Natalya leaned back in her chair after sending the transmission. Her room was occupied by a council member and her nephew.

She spoke to the council member, who was in charge of the secret service.

"Launch ships. As many as you need. The Axiom needs protection. We only have two ships, and they've already taken blows. Use the hyperwave technology. We need them surrounding the Axiom fast."

"But Aurelia-"

"I understand that the hyperave technology hasn't been proofed or perfected yet, but this is an emergency."

"Yes, however-"

"Send them. And that's final."

The official nodded and ran off. Twenty or more ships were launched that day.

"Oh, and Calsandro?"

Her nephew looked up.

"Prepare Karal and it's moons. Lockdown and defensive position. This may get heated. It shouldn't be, but I can't expect them to be fully peaceful."

Calsandro smiled and began to leave the room.

"Calsandro?"

He turned back.

"Remember. Best outcome is peace."

He just nodded and left.