Sins of Stellar Empire

[Greystone]

A hundred years ago the Chisissani Empire, a race of great power and technology, expanded across the galaxy. They absorbed and conquered every race they discovered. The Empire stretched from one end of the galaxy to another. When the Chisissani realized they overstretched, they formed a great congress, a senate made up of all of the races of the Empire to govern and protect its sovereignty.

This continued, until a mysterious force came into the galaxy. None remember its exact nature- some say plague, famine, or even an enemy empire. Whatever it was, it wiped the Chisissani home world out. This power vacuum was never filled. The remaining races fought for the right to lead the council- to become the new power. Entire races were destroyed, and others were reduced to the dark ages.

You are the survivors. Cut off from other races, and your power reduced, you rebuilt.

Now the winds of change blow through the galaxy, and every race can feel it. From the psychics of Ghysarelle to the super computers crunching thousands of pieces of data in the Mecahnoids Empire, it wasn't clear what was changing... but there was a feeling.

Then.... one day... a ship enters your system. Each one is identical, no more than a drone. It broadcast a simple signal. Coordinates. Coordinates to a now unknown location.

With the coordinates comes a message. It says "Use the Key"

[ArcaneStomper]

In the systems of the Mindoa chaos reigns, but this chaos was not caused by the arrival of the message drone. No this is the ordinary chaos caused by millions of factories pumping out their goods and spaceships for no discernible reason. In fact at first there is not even any indication that the Mindoans even heard the message, but gradually ships, seemingly at random, dart out of their normal paths and take their place in the space around the Mindoan home world.

Eventually the formation is ready and following some unknown signal the 300 cutters of the newly created 2030th Exploration fleet accompanied by their single command cruiser jump out to see what the coordinates held.

[Gunther]

Our Benefactors

"You have chosen, or been chosen, to join our efforts today." The recorded message rang through the hive city's streets, millions upon millions of workers- biologicals as-of-yet unfit to be raised to a higher purpose- hearing it. Massive broadcasting towers spread the message through every media available to the servants of the Mechanoids.

Though so much was produced artificially, the flesh-and-blood creatures still found a purpose in the great design of the electronic gods. Dressed in the same unisex clothes, their numbers were kept carefully regulated. More than enough to sustain themselves with minimal input of valuable resources like deuterium, but not so much that they posed any actual threat of successful rebellion. Controlled. That was what biological species seemed to crave, but despise at the same time. A controlled diet of nutrient-rich soy based products, controlled sleep and work times, controlled means of transit and controlled methods of labor. All pre-planned for them here, on this Ecumenopolis' hive city, for maximum efficiency. It was here that the genetic pool was constantly tinkered with, the species bred- and interbred- to produce the highest quality of servitor stock. Other goods, such as weapons and starship hulls, were simply a byproduct of this.

And yet, and yet, the biologicals were not the key to the Mechanoids' success. They had a role in it, yes, but only so much of one. When the Chisissani had conquered the Mechanoids, they had learned a great many lessons as a subject. Their task as ship AIs and computational savants had granted them a great amount of skill in not only managing limited assets for maximum output, but in turning that output into additional assets. The key was simply to know how to increase the pool of assets.

In layman's terms, the key to making an empire strong was to harvest every single thing possible in order to expand it. From the smallest diamond being built into microprocessors, to the largest ore reserves being used to fuel the micro-fabricator complexes, the artificial empire knew how to make what it had count.

Which was why, after seeing the drone arrive in-system, it had taken all of .28 seconds for the Overseer program in the outlying settlement to transmit the received information alongside its own analysis, and then- in return- receive its orders.

Those orders were accompanied by a minor task group. Six ships, two three-ship assault wings consisting of two Frigates and a single Fast Missile Boat Destroyer each, arrived in the same system as the probe- Ortner. The local system defense gunships had secured the space around the probe, but it was the arrival of the larger ships- with their sleek hulls and bristling weapons emplacements- that prompted them to enact the already decided course of action.

A lone tug would take the probe back to their research colonies in Humvila, enveloping it in the expanded Subspace Drive field of the starship after physically clamping onto it. The six starships, armed with the new coordinates, were joined by a single Fast Carrier, equipped with a pair of light bomber squadrons and a single squadron of light interceptors. This two-to-one ratio was decided as the most effective in dogfighting, even though each ship had its own hangar bays.

With the fast carrier, and its eight corvette escort, joining the task force, all fourteen ships followed the coordinates. Their size had been deemed worthy of a single Light Tactical Command Destroyer, the lone ship being rerouted to arrive in the midst of their fleet at the exit point. Such was the coordination of Mechanoid stellar travel that this was, contrary to the drives of other species, actually perfectly acceptable as a means of coordinating fleet movement.

But regardless, the Mechanoids were fast approaching their target, even as they dissected the probe and prepared to mount whatever effort was necessary. Orbital drydocks became a flurry of activity as starship hulls were constructed, specialized troop transports- packed to the brim with storage-configured robotic infantry. Alongside them, a number of tankbots and jetbikes had been loaded. The bulk of these transports, however, was taken up by the ubiquitous Drop Factories- the key to Mechanoid ground assaults. Simply by coating a world in factories, they could have multiple beachheads established on a world, tasking the defenders to their limits before any coherent plan of defense could be formed.

It was efficient, it was methodical, and it was- above all- maximally effective.


Frigate (FR):
Weapon Spaces: 8 Light Beam Batteries (80 IP), 4 Medium Kinetic Cannon Batteries (160 IP), 3 Medium Missile Batteries (120 Missiles/ea, 3 extra magazines, 360 IP), 5 Heavy Laser Batteries (250 IP), 2 Light Nanotech Cannons (800 IP), 1 Heavy Torpedo Array (10 Missiles/ea, 1 extra magazine, 230 IP)
Shield Spaces: Advanced Energy Shield (100 RP), Advanced Particle Shield (100 RP)
Medium Armor: 500 IP
Medium Sensors: 40 IP
Medium Drives: 140 IP
IP: 700


Fast Missile Boat Destroyer (FD)
Weapon Spaces: 3 Heavy Torpedo Arrays (10 Torpedoes/ea, 8 Extra Magazines, 1090 IP), 3 Medium Torpedo Arrays (10/ea, 3 extra magazines, 480 IP), 5 Heavy Kinetic Repeaters (250), 2 Light Kinetic Cannon Batteries (30 IP), 4 Light Kinetic Repeater Batteries (40 IP).
Shield Spaces: 2 Advanced Energy Shields (200 RP), Heavy Particle Shield (40 RP)
Medium Armor: 500 IP
Medium Sensors: 40 IP
Medium Drives: 160 IP
IP: 800

Fast Carrier (FCA-FR)
Weapon Spaces: 4 Light Kinetic Cannon Batteries (60 IP), 2 Light Kinetic Repeater Batteries (20 IP)
Shield Spaces: 1 Advanced Particle Shield (100 IP), 1 Advanced Energy Shield (100 IP)
Carrier Spaces: 2 Light Bomber Squadrons, 1 Light Fighter Squadron
Medium Armor: 500 IP
Medium Sensors: 40 IP
Medium Drives: 200 IP
IP: 1,000

Light Tactical Command Destroyer (LTC-DE)
Weapon Spaces: 5 Medium Torpedo Arrays (10 Torpedoes/ea, 5 extra magazines, 800 IP), 10 Heavy Kinetic Repeater Batteries (500 IP), 6 Light Kinetic Repeater Batteries (60 IP), 4 Light Kinetic Cannon Batteries (60 IP).
Shield Spaces: 2 Advanced Particle Shields (100 IP), 2 Heavy Energy Shields (80 IP)
Special Spaces: Local Sensor Array (100 IP), Local Communications Hub (100 IP)
Medium Armor: 500 IP
Medium Sensors: 40 IP
Medium Drives: 300 IP
IP: 1,500

Corvette (CC)
Weapon Spaces: 4 Light Kinetic Repeaters (40 IP), 4 Light Kinetic Cannons (60 IP), Light Missile Battery (120 Missiles, 60 IP)
Shield Spaces: 2 Heavy Particle Shields (80 RP), Heavy Energy Shield (40 RP)
Medium Armor: 500 IP
Medium Drive: 80 IP
Medium Sensors: 40 IP
IP: 400


Research:
Hed, Arean Research Colony 8 10k: Nanotech Cannons
Humvila, Kuperian Research Colony 7 4k: Nanotech Cannons
Humvila, Kuperian Research Colony 7 4k: Special Insertion Ships (Somewhat akin to the Spymaster-type vessel, but obviously not the same standard. Ships designed for stealthily deploying assets, be they Drop Factories or just pathfinder units)
Ornter, Carbonaceous Research Colony 5 800: Planetary Defense Shields (Allows shields to be constructed around entire worlds)
Ortner, Carbonaceous Research Colony 5 800: Planetary Defense Shields
Ortner, Carbonaceous Research Colony 5 800: Planetary Defense Shields
Ortner, Carbonaceous Research Colony 5 800: Planetary Defense Shields

[Eldan]

Avian Sub-swarm Halcyon, System Delta Equus, aka "Isulu's Last Stand"

The noise in the council chamber of the was indescribable. Not only had almost a tenth of a percent of the millions of starlings on this worldship gathered in the chamber, the neighbouring worldships of the swarms had sent Fleetmind-telepaths along who constantly shouted and telepathically broadcast the decisions and arguments of their motherships. Delegations from seven other sub-swarm were gathered in small groups, clustered around their starminds, the rare telepaths able to send and receive instantaneous messages at interstellar distances.
The chamber was huge, most likely large enough to park a medium-sized starship if it was stripped bare. Most of the space, in keeping with starling tradition, was kept gravity-free, but there were walkways with tightly defined corridors of local gravity for the elderly and the unadventurous who preferred walking over freefalling or hanging from their clawed feet.
The debate had been going on for hours, and it was, for an outsider, as chaotic as any starling debate. Groups of up to a dozen strong were constantly forming and breaking up, individuals joining the gatherings out in open space or the small lounges shielded off with thin screens of paper-thin sheets of plastic. There were groups of age-cohorts, grown up in the same communal roosts and rookeries, sharing what appeared to be more jokes and small-talks. There were those groups consisting of the flight-leaders and their wingmen, where the atmosphere was calmer, almost military. There were family groups, though biological relations played only a small role in starling society, gathered around their clan-elders and listening to their opinions respectfully. There were the gatherings of elders, mostly communicating via telepathy, an ability that got only stronger with age, staring angrily at each other and nodding from time to time.
Finally, the groups seemed to come to a decision. There were more and more nods, heated discussions gave way to short reports on the opinion of some other clan, a respected elder, famous explorer or a particularly heroic flight of fighters.
Then, the decision was made public, though everyone knew it already:
"Halcyon supports the decision of the Eldermind. All-subswarms will assemble for a great meeting, fifty years ahead of schedule. The swarm comes together and will investigate the probe. All sub-swarms are to meet at the coordinates specified by the message. It is expected that other remnants of the suppressor empire will also gather at that point. Beware."

Solar sails the size of continents were folded. In the belts and around gas giants, mining worlds stopped sucking in whole asteroids and spitting out debris in their eternal search for ores and water. Flights of fighters, gunships and carriers rapidly changed orbits, their inertialess drives casually ignoring the star's gravity well, all steering for a single point at the system's rim, where the worldships were already accelerating to interstellar cruise speeds.

The entire starling swarm and it's billions of inhabitants were traveling to the specified coordinates.

[javcs]

Across the Acheri Imperium contact reports flashed as the drones entered their systems, and were then updated as the sensor nets reported and light units were directed to retrieve the drones for study.

++Limited data available on subject coordinates.++
If an Acheri Astrocartography AI could swear, it would have done so on discovering its databases lacked information on the coordinates provided by the drones. Instead, it notified Fleet Command that there was insufficient specific data to answer their queries, and recommended designing and implementing a Survey Fleet operation to expand Fleet Astrocartographic datafiles in general, as most were sadly out of date.

In the Shub'nigorath System, Admiral Dalas was given command of Task Force 87, assigned to investigate the coordinates given by the drones, but to avoid contact with any others encountered except those who sent out the drones, unless absolutely necessary.

Task Force 87 gathered 10 light minutes out from Acheron, and calculated a wormhole conduit to approach the coordinates from 90 light minutes out and emerge in a polar position.
Most of Task Force 87 (all but 50 of the Eyeball-class scout cutters) would go to that location, the carriers would start deploying the pieces of and assembling the prefabricated class 4 spacegate upon arrival, the combat units would deploy in a defensive formation around them, while the research contingent would commence passive observation of the system, and the Eyeball scouts would deploy in a wider shell around them, and begin deployment of scout drones, all ships in this group would stay on passive scans under emissions control. Once the gate was assembled, the carriers would immediately withdraw.
The remaining 50 Eyeball scouts would preform a more standard approach to the coordinates, and deploy their scout drones.

List of Manned Ships Assigned to TF87
- 200 Eyeball-class cutter(scout)
- 50 Surak-class corvette(point defense)
- 10 Korval-class frigate(grav)
- 10 Haltek-class frigate(beam)
- 10 Kiral-class frigate(missile)
- 5 Kirek-class destroyer(grav)
- 10 Fast Carriers, 5 Light Carriers, Mobile Lab

[Turalisj]

A message.....

After a hundred years, a hundred years of constant wars and expansion, the Ghysarelle received a message. A buzz went throughout the Collective. Ships were prepared for transit. The 501st task force, the most decorated and battle experienced task force of the Collective, would be sent out.

Two heavy cruisers. One fast carrier. Eight fast destroyers, and 12 heavy cutters. With them would be a diplomatic ship, equipped for any negotiations that might take place. They were ready. Within a weeks time, the 501TF was on it's way to the edge of the GC-4 system, the minds of each member of the ship's crew in perfect harmony as they began the Psy-Warp.

The ships stretched out, space and reality itself being bent out of shape as the ships began to travel. Within minutes, the ships were but distant images, as they traveled to their destination.

----------------

Back within the Ghysarelle systems, research was being done. In one lab, scientists were developing high efficient grains, animals that were three times as nutritious and only grew half as fast. Another was working on methods for picking every last atom of raw material from rocks. Yet another was developing an enrichment process that would enable more potent radioactive materials.

[BladeofOblivion]

Thousands of years ago, possibly even older than the Great Race that had previously spread across the Galaxy, the Caltrys had been born. A rare crystalline race, they were intelligent, powerful, and often superior. So why did they not already own this galaxy? They were terrified of the thought of being wiped out by an established enemy. So they waited. They hid, boarded up their homes, and fortified themselves. Now, in these dark days, the stifled people of the Hegemony panicked. They detected the probe above, and it appeared on their news. Needless to say, public outcry ordered the destruction of the probe before it detected their presence. This was done, but the broadcasted coordinates were logged and sent to General Quartztock.

At the Military Headquarters of the Hegemony, the General received the message. His orders were thus:

"Send one Crystal Cruiser. Use the cloaks, and don't move within visual range of those coordinates. We'll see what we're up against."

The General lifted his head.

"And tell Captain Topay that I'm coming along for this little expedition."

[Jallorn]

It was business as usual in the Simelan Empire, another alien probe, another day. Coordinated by the Serrinak and the Chevirin, a task force was already being prepared. In the Serrinak, High Admiral Lissan was communicating with the Emporer, "Our scans show it to be highly alien and advanced. Additionally, one of the ambassadors to the Caltrys has informed us they have had a similar visitor. No information on whether they are sending anything, you know how tight-lipped they are."

"Very well Admiral, you may accompany the task fleet. I'm also sending Mivo."

"Thank you sir, Lissan out. Well Yra, you heard him, plot us a course, I'd like to leave as soon as possible."

"Affirmitive Admiral, it will be my pleasure, I was getting bored sitting here guarding the homeworld," a tiny voice that soon speaks shipwide informing the crew to ready for transport responds. "Course plotted Admiral, the crew is nearly ready, it will be about 13 hours and 27 minutes."

"What, no seconds?"

"I have noticed that knowing the number of seconds is rarely useful, even to myself."

Task fleet to be determined upon determination of Imperial fleet, later tonight.

[Gunther]

Readied For Deployment
On the Pelagric Industrial World of the Ortner system, designated as one of the primary production worlds- if not the production capital of the Mechanoids- was a flurry of activity. The biological underlings of the Mechanoids found almost no place on this planet, its atmosphere so thick with pollutants and industrial byproducts that most life on this world had mutated or died off. Those humanoids that did reside there, for what few specialist roles they were required for, had to be restricted to "cleansed zones", supplied with precious stores of breathable air, food, water, and other amenities required to survive.

To them, the world seemed consumed by nothing but machinery and circuitry, an automated factory that had made them- at best- a superfluous resource.

To the Mechanoids? The world was a primary nursery of their society. It was there that countless trains of metal and fuel-bearing ships reached their final destination, their kilometer-long cargo holds emptying untold tons of ore and kiloliters of fuel into forges. Massive spires, consisting of thousands of nano-fabricators, worked in unison to assemble machine parts of every size and make. Starship reactors, cybernetic limbs, bullets, gyro-stabilizers, missiles, bio-disassembler units. More and more besides were made in these factories.

At that moment? They were building an army. Robotic looms the size of small frigates spun countless gigameters of synthetic muscle fiber. Steel and hardened plastic shells were pressed out of assembly lines in their thousands, an army of Mechanoid infantry being prepared for extrasolar deployment if needed. Even now, combat programs and targeting algorithms were being designed and uploaded into neural nets destined for the robotic infantry. Tanks, made by the platoon, filed in row-by-row.

Yet it was the Drop Factories that formed the heart of this procession. Compacted nano-fabricators, each Drop Factory could- potentially- build an entire army on its own given enough time.

And time was something the Mechanoids had in abundance, for now.

Transport Cruiser (Trans-C)
Weapon Spaces: 2 Heavy Nanotech Cannons (2,400 IP), 20 Light Repeater Batteries (200 IP), 12 Medium Kinetic Repeater Batteries (360 IP), Heavy Missile Battery (80 missiles, 1 extra magazine, 180 IP).
Shield Spaces: 2 Advanced Particle Shields (200 IP), 1 Advanced Energy Shield (100 IP), 1 Heavy Energy Shield (40 IP), 1 Basic Energy Shield (10 IP)
Special Spaces: 50 Behemoth Transport Spaces (50 points of storage each, troops can train in transit) (1,000 IP)
Medium Armor: 500 IP
Medium Sensors: 40 IP
Medium Drive: 200 IP
IP: 1,000
6,230 IP each. Production run of five units, which will be fully stocked with a landing force. 31,150 IP total cost.

30 Destroyers
Destroyer (DE)
Weapon Spaces: 6 Heavy Laser Batteries (300 IP), 3 Heavy Kinetic Cannon Batteries (180 IP), 10 Medium Nanotech Cannons (8,000 IP), 5 Heavy Nanotech Cannons (6,000), Heavy Missile Battery (80 Missiles, 1 extra magazine, 180 IP), 1 Light Kinetic Repeater Battery (30 IP).
Shield Spaces: 2 Advanced Energy Shields (200 RP), 2 Heavy Particle Shields (40 RP)
Medium Armor: 500 IP
Medium Sensors: 40 IP
Medium Drive: 200 IP
IP: 1,000
14,930 IP each. 447,900 total.

90 Frigates- 2,760 IP each. 248,400 IP total.
727,450 IP for total fleet. 10 month build time.

[Greystone]

The Coordinates

Everyone arrived at roughly the same time, with some lapse according to the different drives. Each faction arrives in system at a different direction- it seems that those who sent the drones had adjusted for multiple fleets.

The System is filled with debris rotating the large pale yellow sun. Ships, space stations, asteroids, even fragments of what seem to be a moon make up this veritable minefield.

Your sensors do pick up three important things. Small 'lanes' seem to be open in the debris field, it looked almost like roads leading in system, only large enough for a single frigate or smaller at a time to go through. Second, a large energy seems to be coming from within the debris field, akin to a large space station.

Third and perhaps most important, you aren't the only ships who jumped in. Needless to say there are others (The other players)

What do you do?

[Turalisj]

The two heavy cruisers stayed near the carrier and diplomacy ship, while the smaller ships broke into a defensive formation. Four sets of ships, 3 destroyers and 4 cutters to a formation, they spread out in a square and began a scanner sweep. Meanwhile, on the Blood Ruby, scanners were being turned to active frequency while the fighter squadron prepared for a scout flight.



Actions: The destroyers and cutters will split into four groups as described. The flight pattern is a double arrowhead- the three cutters in the front of the arrow with the destroyers on the 'inside' of the arrow. These four groups will be moving out to just within sensor range, scanning for any active EM signatures.

Meanwhile, the Blood Ruby (the carrier) will launch it's fighters in a scouting pattern, going just beyond sensor range. The two heavy destroyers will be flanking either side of the diplomacy cruiser and the carrier, AWACS scanners active and scanning for any possible cloaked ships.

[Eldan]

A telepathic cry of joy goes out from the Swarm, both at the great gathering, for it had been decades since all worldships had last gathered in one system, and because of the mystery.

Fully half of the Starling fleet* is launched instantly, countless fighters, bombers, gunships, corvettes and cutters, tearing down the lines in the debris, mapping the lines.

Meanwhile, the mining worldships approach the minefields more carefully, sensor sweeps searching for raw materials and, perhaps, still useful machinery.


*I'll have to run the numbers tomorrow, to tell you exactly what means.

[ArcaneStomper]

On board the command cruiser of the 2030th Exploration fleet there was much activity as the techs analyzed the sensor readings. Orders were give for a detachment of cutters to enter the debris field, and several wings of fighters were launched to provide cover. The communicators on board also sent word back to the Mindoan home world of Fendrik reporting what they had found so far. Meanwhile the admiral in charge of the fleet had retired to his quarters. This was actually his first contact with aliens and he needed to make sure he had a proper set of speeches ready for whatever might happen.

30 of the Cutters are dispatched towards the debris field. They have launched their fighter wings.

The command cruiser is hanging back in formation with the rest of the cutters, about half of which have also launched fighter screens.

--------

Meanwhile back in the forge systems a shift in production had occurred. One of the myriad groups that made up the Mindoans quasi government had reached a consensus. And now one of the great Manufactory ships was being prepared.

Unlike a simple exploration fleet though this was not something that could be done on the spur of the moment. No Manufactory ship could be allowed to leave unescorted and so ships were being called in from all over Mindoan space to form a great new fleet. It would take some time, but soon it would be ready.

I don't have my Manufactory ship statted yet. I will try finish it and the rest of my fleet by tonight.

[Gunther]

Mechanoid Arrival
Upon arriving, the Mechanoid investigative fleet had- to say the least- been extremely pleased at this turn of events. Even with other species present, the Mechanoids- by sheer dint of ensuring that it was their ships that were well protected and armed for even a tiny size- had calculated that they were at a distinct advantage.

Provided, of course, hostilities erupted. So far, nothing of the sort had transpired. Even so, the fleet had a definite course of action. The Overseer program of the group, situated upon the sleek form of the Light Tactical Command Destroyer, quickly began transmitting orders. The two assault groups, each consisting of a pair of frigates and a missile boat destroyer, would lead the way. Each ship would deploy its contingent of fightercraft, interceptor fighter craft and bombers launching from their hangars.

It was a swarm of glittering darts, each one equipped with kinetic-based weaponry and fighter-to-fighter missile pods. The bombers were a bit more complex, having forsaken their usefulness in a dogfight to- instead- be valuable in removing other ships. The presence of the carrier had been a good choice.

Pinging the other fleets in the system, the Mechanoid Overseer AI considered its options. The assault groups were moving, single file, through their lane. Starfighters and bombers were strafing debris in the way of the missile boats, kinetic rounds and the occasional rocket blowing wrecks away.

The frigates, for their part, were contributing as well. Moving single file, their armored prows and shields worked in unison to knock away intrusive pieces of debris. The individual ship AIs, in unison with their onboard contingents of anti-voidcraft weapon bank operators, were cutting a swathe into the junk so that the missile boats and command destroyer could follow in their wake. It was in this way that they could not only move ahead at flank speed, but provide a basis for which the larger ships could follow (After, of course, the fighter craft and bombers managed to clean up any wrecks the frigates missed too large for the destroyer-sized ships to simply plow through with their particle shields).

Four Mechanoid frigates, with the Fast Carrier in the middle, are moving through the nearest lane, picking away at any debris too large for the fighters and bombers to handle. The small craft will stick around to remove any debris that the two Fast Missile Boat Destroyers cannot, themselves, handle. Those two fast destroyers will accompany the Light Tactical Command Destroyer through the unblemished lane, which should be expanded enough for them to move through, even if it's one-by-one.

[BladeofOblivion]

Captain Topay gave the order to sit back and watch. To keep out of the range of any high-quality scanners. Whatever was in there would still be in there when everyone else left.

[Jallorn]

That channel is too narrow for many of our ships, but our goal is in there. Two of the Breaker class ships will proceed in first, followed by you, Captain Girven (of the Brother class). You will be in command of the ships over there until further notice. Immediately following you will be half the Daring class ships, then the Faithful class ships, then the Forerunner, and finally, Triumphant class ships. Already, Lissan could hear the diplomats on the Forerunner calling over the comm channels, hailing the alien ships they had already detected. Our sensors are hampered by the asteroid field, but communication should be uninterrupted. Keep me apprised, Girven.

Yes sir, Girven could see the fleet breaking formation already, Lissan always was fast to formulate and implement strategies. Girven guessed that that was why he was the High Admiral. Girven himself was still green, having taken over the two year old Hellraiser only a month and a half ago from it's original captain. This was his first big mission, and might become his first combat encounter. Needless to say, he was excited, as well as flattered, that Lissan had chosen him to command. Kharik, plot our course, we're going in.

Aye captain, the AI responded simply.

[Turalisj]

As the scout fighters returned to the Blood Ruby, the formations finished their perimeter search and formed up on the main group. Together, the twenty four ships lanced their way through the debris field, obliterating anything large enough to damage the particle shields.

Soon enough though, scanners aboard the Blood Ruby flared into action as sensors picked up ships. Many ships. The word didn't even have to be said to the crews. They knew what to do. Shields came to full strength, heavier weapons came online. Whatever was out there, the fleet would be ready.
==================================================

In the Simelan command ship, what sounded like a dozen voices entered the minds of the crew. "We are the Ghysarelle Collective. We have not encountered your species before. Who are you? Are you the ones who have sent the drones?"

[Jallorn]

On the Hellraiser, Girven is startled by the telepathic contact, as are most of his crew. It takes him a moment to collect his thoughts, speaking first to Kharik, Inform the crew not to panic, and to go about their tasks. As the AI proceeds to do just that, Girven addresses the Ghysarelle, speaking out loud to keep his thoughts focused, as he was taught at the academy, I am Captain Girven of the Simelan Imperial ship Hellraiser. We are not responsible for any drones that may have drawn your people here, we are here because of a drone ourselves. Although I am a capable diplomat, I would encourage you to contact our diplomats or my commanding officer, outside of the asteroid field. If your communication is blocked by the asteroids, we would be happy to attempt to extend it through our own, I've always wondered if telepathic communication could be transfered directly into Zero-Point transmissions.

[Turalisj]

It was a few minutes before the reply came. "Understood. We are sending our diplomat to meet with you. Please stand by."

What that meant, exactly, would become clear as a 700 meter carrier and 200 meter long diplomatic cruiser came into sensor range. Escorting them was a pair of 3,500 meter long heavy cruisers (see image on Ghysarelle ship section for reference) blasting away at debris with kinetic repeaters and beam weapons. The ships passed the Hellraiser, the multitude of heavy beam cannons apparent as the group passed by, headed towards the Simelan's own diplomacy ship.

[Eldan]

Eight hundred gunships swarm out from the starling worldships, blazing the trail for two hundred larger ships and the twenty carrier groups they start. They fan out into a funnel, above and below the ecliptic plane before curving back in lazy, gently curved orbits that home in on the supposed station. As with all starling ships, they are almost ridiculously fast in-system, and some of the most foolhardy fighter pilots attempt to cross the asteroid fields directly, curving and skipping inertialess to avoid rocks and pieces of debris.
Finally, from the Defence Worldship Aquila, temporary command post of the Swarm, a message is sent out to all the races in the system:

"Salutations, fellow starfarers! The Starling Swarm bids you welcome in this small bubble in the great stream of the void, so warmly illuminated by the golden light of this orb of fire, so huge and yet so tiny compared to the emptiness beyond it's pull.
We dare hope that, in the following days - while the Starlings discover whatever beautiful mystery reared it's head from dreamless slumber at the heart of this sphere - we will not have to name this system*.
We would be delighted to renew the bonds of brotherhood that have grown cold in the lonely centuries that the Starling swarm has spent away from the races with which it once shared an oppressor and if, at all, you wish to exchange the gifts of friendship and engage in trade, we will once more extend the hand of friendship to you all, for we are all, in our deepest hearts, brothers with a shared history."



*The starlings only name a system after heroes that have fallen there. Ergo: if no one dies, the system is not named. They are talking about avoiding hostilities.

[javcs]

The small force of 50 Eyeball scouts subdivides into groups of 5, six groups are assigned to study each of the separate forces in the system, one for each. The remaining four groups (TF87.2) head down four separate 'lanes' preceded by scout drones.

The main force of TF87, further out, and studies the data being sent back from the scout groups

[Gunther]

The AI Overseer, receiving the message of the Starlings, went through several protocols. The first of them was to register the fleet size- which registered as super massive on almost all sensors. Granted, the Tactical Command Destroyer was not exactly designed for such a large number of ships in a single system.

Even as its component programs began to reach a consensus on how to reply, the cyber-humanoids under the Overseer were hard at work. Sleek carbines, high-impulse anti-tank weaponry, and more than a few boarding shotguns were released from their arms lockers. On a ship that had entirely embraced the concept of wireless operation, hardware still found a place.

Moving silently but for the occasional burst of audio clips to get the serf crew that weren't suitably augmented out of the way, the destroyer's internal systems braced for possible conflict. Non-vital sections were sealed off, internal shields over critical sections coming online.

All of this took place simultaneously, as the AI in charge of the small fleet's operations sent a reply back to the Starlings. Optical clusters swiveled and zoomed as infrared beams played across the hulls of the starships, countless bytes of information playing through a system intended to be able to- at prime conditions- process one exabyte of information at a time.

As such, most of the raw information had to be re-transmit through the ships that were part of its group, for further digestion and repacking. Countless packets of data were sent back and forth, only to be finally sent back to the Mechanoid-controlled worlds.

In response to the opening diplomacy, the Mechanoid group leader decided to go with an equally diplomatic response. Using the face of one of the automatons, its steel-cased body motivated by a series of synthetic sinews and muscle fibers, it spoke, "You are being scanned, and your ship profiles logged for future reference. Do not resist, you are not being harmed. Your message of peace has been considered."

The hooded, singular optic eye of the combat automaton blinked, processing its latest verbal commands, "We are the Mechanoids, an enclave of artificial intelligences and transcended organic beings. Your offer has been noted. This orbital graveyard is of great interest to the Mechanoids. Do you wish to aid in securing it for our mutual benefit? Confirm or deny."

[javcs]

An additional 100 Eyeballs from TF87.1 wormhole closer in in clusters of five, dividing up to survey and study the debris fields, spewing forth additional scout drones every 30 seconds.

Admiral Dalas sent his carrier units, after they returned from passing through the gate to take on components for another megagate, to wormhole forward to assemble it adjacent to the debris field, and called in an additional 2 mobile labs from the scientific fleet in the home systems to join in surveying and studying the debris field, searching for salvageable ships, examples of technology, bodies, or anything else potentially interesting.

Upon receiving the news of there being additional races there, Fleet Command activated and deployed 500 Eyeball scouts in 100 5-ship groups to search and survey all nearby systems, then proceed to search and survey systems further outwards, moving in a randomized vaguely spiral pattern, rather than straight outwards.
In addition, Fleet Command ordered 8th Fleet to a higher state of readiness.


The groups of Eyeballs tasked to study the other forces launch additional scout drones to hull-map, emissions map, and deep-scan the vessels of the other races, as well as monitor any transmitted communications.

[Gunther]

Seeing the impetuous scout ships of another species approach their vessels, a single Mechanoid fighter squadron broke off from debris-clearing duties. On-board nano-fabricators quickly churned out rounds for their onboard kinetic weaponry, the AI cores of each starfighter humming through tactical options in unison with the fleet's Overseer program.

Swooping in front of the Eyeballs group destined for the Mechanoid fleet, the starfighters quickly engaged their retrothrusters. Not limited by the crudity of organic frames, the machines only had limitations as far as the components they were crafted from. It was for this reason that the group performed a pair of rather elaborate rolls around the exploring ships, impeding the most direct course to the still-advancing fleet.

A narrow-band message was transmitted via a burst of infrared lasers, lovingly crafted by the AI Overseer, "You are approaching Mechanoid-controlled space. Please state your purpose, technical specifications, racial origin, and disarm all active weaponry."

[ArcaneStomper]

The commander of the Mindoan command cruiser was becoming increasingly nervous. According to his sensors there were 5 other races in this system. And that was just what it had picked up before the display blew out. Which was another thing why couldn't the defense contractors ever build things right. Grumbling about lazy contractors under his breath he considered the situation. With this many races in system they needed reinforcements immediately. Walking over to the communication adept's station he had a said, "Send a message to the Abaddon Council. Tell them we need additional resources."

-----------------

Meanwhile in the Fess system preparations were almost complete to launch the Manufactory fleet. So when the request for reinforcements trickled down to the fleet admiral it was an easy decision to send the first wave of escorts to reinforce the exploration fleet. After all the Manufactory ship had to be guaranteed a clear area to warp in to. So he issued the appropriate orders and watched out of his bridge's viewscreen as the super carriers jumped away.

Or at least he did until the view screen failed. Blasted contractors.

-----------------

The sight of two super carrier task forces and several accompanying battle cruiser would have been a fairly impressive sight if the command cruiser's sensors still weren't down. But they were, and in fact it wasn't until a few minutes later that the carrier crews came out of stasis and activated their own sensors that the Eyeball scouts were finally spotted.

Needless to say the response was impressive as several things happened at once, The carriers launched all their fighters, a flurry of warnings were sent to the command cruiser which launched its own fighters moments later, and the Commander of the lead carrier sent a message to the Eyeballs which was short to the point. "Cease your scans at once."

Current forces in system:
1 Hive-class Command Cruiser
4 Flint and Steel class Super Carriers
10 Bulwark-class Battle-Cruisers
74 Retribution-class Cruisers
24 Saber-class battle riders
68 Tower-class Destroyers
120 Shield-class Frigates
240 Claymore-class Corvettes
460 Assorted Cutters

[javcs]

The response was a text message relayed through one of the scout drones on an identical frequency to that sent by the Mechanoids.
++This is a not, repeat, not a Mechanoid system. Please specify your preferred clearance radius in Chisissani standard measures.++
++Remain a minimum of 500 kilometers from our vessels at all times. Any closer will be considered a hostile action.++
The Eyeballs being buzzed by the Mechanoid fighters went to Combat Alert Two status, and their weapons systems started tracking the harassing fighters as their combat screens went to full alert status.

---

Having completed their scans of the frighteningly poorly built fleet of ships, the Acheri ceased their intensive scans, and settled for close observation, but did not otherwise reply.

---

In the Shub'nigorath system, 8th Fleet, Battle Group Irokan moved into a position by a fortified megagate, on Combat Standby Status.

[Jallorn]

Having been monitoring the comm chatter, Lissan comes to a decision. Opening a wide-band hailing frequency, he calls to the ships, This individual communication chatter is all plenty comedic, but highly inefficient, and is getting in the way of potential scientific discoveries. I propose that each faction represented here present a representative at a conference communication. For safety's sake, it seems appropriate to do this over communications at first, and then move up to personal meetings as the relationship develops. Our scans have shown us that our communication technology is superior to anyone else's who is present, so I would recommend that our ship should serve as the hub. All interested parties, please direct a stable comm channel at this ship and we will network them as we introduce ourselves to one another.

[BladeofOblivion]

Picking up transmissions from the fleets below, General Topay and General Quartztock couldn't help but smile. Topay sent a quick message back to Golab, ordering a Calcium Cruiser, and strongly hoped that none of the other ships would detect it.

[ArcaneStomper]

On board the lead Mindoan super carrier "This One Won't Break I Swear" a tech walks up to the commander and says, "Sir we're picking up a message on the old radios. It sounds like it's from one of the aliens." Commander Istyn S93 stared at the tech intently, "Are you sure it's not just static. Those things are useless pieces of junk. I don't know why we even still have one."

"No sir the computer's 90% sure it's an actual transmission from an actual alien that actually wants to talk."

"The computer's a piece of scrap too," The commander sighs, "Very well the Admiral will send me on a vacation if I don't at least try and contact them. Send them a reply that we're willing to talk. And bring me," he pauses for effect, "The Speech Writer." The bridge goes silent as the implications of his statement sink in, but unfortunately the moment is ruined by the radio exploding. Followed shortly by the communications computer.

Commander Istyn bolts to his feet and yells, "Argh, blasted contractors, every single time we finally get something this happens. Someone get a replacement out here NOW." want a replacement out here now."


For those of you who haven't the Mindoans background, a vacation is the equivalent of a major punishment, and a speech writer implies that he's preparing for a battle, just in case things go south.

[Gunther]

The Chisissani
The Mechanoid interceptors remained in position, occasionally firing their thrusters so as to stay within firing range should diplomacy go sour. Inside of each of the tiny ships, large arrays of fiber optic cables- effectively forming a neural net- were afire with information. Narrow beams of infrared darted between ships, terabytes of tactical information being scattered across the system. While the automaton collective lacked in strategic FTL communication, they were more than capable of organization on a tactical one. Even as the rather simplistic AIs of the interceptors began to categorize likely vital points on the ship, the Overseer was composing a retort. Firing solutions for clearing through the debris field, combined with approach vectors and sensor data from the constantly-moving Frigates, all filtered through a system of both virtual and artificial intelligences.

It was no small pride of the artificial empire that they could, effectively, adapt at an unparalleled rate. Innovation was not a major strength, but no other species- no other- could react from an ambush with alacrity like theirs. Surprise was almost nonexistent!

As the Tactical Destroyer continued to press through the debris field, it relayed its retort.

"Five hundred kilometer safety net is acceptable. One thousand is requested for all Mechanoid vessels. Any scans wished to be taken must first be authorized. Vessels on approach for diplomatic conversation much identify, lower shields, and permit scans. These conditions are mutual for both groups. Acceptable? Confirm or deny. If denied, please state new terms."

The Simelans
As the communication was received, the same avatar used as before- a standard Mechanoid automaton frame- was used in composing the response. It was shown to be more effective in diplomacy if a physical body was used in the interaction, so as to establish a more direct social link. Organics tended to be unnerved by communicating directly to an AI's true, chaotic digital representation.

"Your offer has been considered. Dedicated, self-terminating copies of my personality and diplomatic programs are being transmitted via infrared. Do not be alarmed. This will serve as our representative in the proceedings. If the unit is tampered with, appropriate actions will be taken. A physical envoy may be sent if required."

And with that, a number of infrared lasers focused upon what seemed to be appropriate receptors on the Simlean vessel. An invisible barrage erupted, aiming to communicate the simplest essence of the AI onboard the Tactical Destroyer for the conference. The streamlined code of the representative program made it much more simple to transfer, rather than the usual movement of the physical hard drive required in most advanced AI transfers.

[javcs]

--
++Diplomatic contact is not in our assignment. We will relay your request to our superiors.++
The Eyeballs stopped closing with the Mechanoid forces, and maintained relative distance, as their scout drones continue to close to 1000km and stopped active scans of the Mechanoid forces other than tracking/locational scans, but maintained maximum sensitivity on their passive scans of the Mechanoid vessels.

--
The Acheri did not respond to the telepathic broadcasts, other than to position additional scout drones to tap into and monitor any would-be communications transmissions.

[BladeofOblivion]

Now that the Calcium Corvette had finally arrived, it cloaked itself and docked with the Crystal Cruiser. As Captain Topay and General Quartztock moved onto the smaller ship, the cruiser transmitted its scanner data to the Corvette.

Noticing that one of the safe lanes was open, the corvette edged towards it, appearing as little more than a derilict. The Cruiser stayed behind.

[Turalisj]

A voice opened up into General Quartrock's mind....

"We hear you... we sense you... Who... are you?"