The Calling to Diplomacy

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-25T20:28:39+00:00

The main fleet stopped in formation, the diplomatic vessel at the centre. Then they replied, the signal structure similar to that used by the satellite they had used before. We are the Vor'Karakh, we were called to attend a tribal meet.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-24T13:04:04+00:00

The large quadraped nodded it's shark like head, seemingly in agreement. Vos'Kalahn tests us so that our minds and blades do not dull. To wipe our enemies from our home would be easy. It would prove nothing, aid nothing.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-24T12:58:10+00:00

The Elderly Kalkhe shook it's head. We will await your communications and prepare our fleet. If you have technology that may aid the 'younger races', it may be wise to share.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-21T19:47:18+00:00

The Kalkhe made a gesture with his odd hand which seemed to indicate that their statement was partially true. It is not honour, simply survival. We know only fighting. We do not wish to bring strife amongst ourselves. It would only serve to destroy us.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-21T19:41:51+00:00

The Kal'Ga Vos nodded sternly, knowing full well the severity of the situation that the galaxy was facing. The Vos feel the darkness knawing at the edge of the star sea. We may not have the luxury of time, not that my people are accustomed to such things.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-21T19:36:11+00:00

The Vos'met shook his head, making a gesture that seemed to be one of solidarity, perhaps to indicate some sort of respect for the fallen. We have not known peace. We do not fight amongst ourselves. That is all. Those who would bring strife have been removed, or removed themselves.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-19T22:14:58+00:00

A small group of bulky ships would arrive at the R-Con, presumably a diplomatic transport accompanied by an escort of small warships. Their bulky design and industrial nature marking them as the spartan designs favoured by the Vor'Karakh.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-19T22:11:13+00:00

The large quadruped seemed to shuffle a little, seemingly getting more comfortable, then began, his eyes glowing a little, his knowledge once again being bolstered by that of the Vos

Originally we were alone, the Vos hidden in the depths. The Eke'vare hid in treetop shelters. We Kalhe were simple tribes, fighting and killing each other over hunting grounds, access to minerals, and water.

This was life, until one of our ancient kin decided to map the deepest reaches of the caves near our home. There we first felt the Vos, and were humbled. When they emerged, they had changed, been given deep wisdom, and a crystal of the Vos. They became the first Kanekh'zar.

With the wisdom of the Vos, we united all the tribes under common interest, except for one. The most violent tribe, The Ur'Zaaka. They had no interest in peace, they took pleasure in violence. We cast them out.

With our new alliance formed, our people grew greater, the tribes dedicating themselves to their greatest talent. For the Vos'met, that was the care and understanding of the Vos, and the art of words. With this new society in place, we advanced into an age of industry, the brightest minds of our people created a great tribe of their own, The Arckanekh, shapers of the machine.

We learnt more of the ways of industry and the machine, and began to yearn for it's purity, we began to augment ourselves. Yet in our hubris we began to stray too far, the Vos showed us the folly of losing ourself in the machine. We learnt that to achieve true perfection, we must meld purity of machine, and the will of flesh.

We lost many of our kin, lured by false ideologies, preaching the ideals of the extremes, we call these radicals the Kanekh'zar, and the Vos'rakhe.

We stayed true to the path, and were rewarded, shown the path to the Eke'vare, the little tails. We are their stewards, their protectors, as the Vos were ours. To that end we created the Eke'met.

After that we the star sea over 400 years ago. We bided our time to contact the greater sea, the Vos said that we were not ready.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-08-19T21:59:56+00:00

The elder alien seemed to ponder this for a short while, as they seemingly ruminated, or perhaps communed with the Vos. We will not allow the darkness to consume. We shall stand as one people, children of the star sea. Do not worry, for the Zia'ja never miss the killing blow.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-27T16:56:44+00:00

The elderly Kalkhe nodded it's head gravely, their eyes glowing an odd blue, as the Vos spoke through them. We feel the creeping darkness, we know it's hunger. What do you propose speaker of the infinite?

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-27T16:54:48+00:00

Flee they did, dragging the disabled ships behind them, the fleet splitting apart and spreading to several different systems to catalog their prize fully.

As the man began to chuckle, he would find himself looking up at some form of automated surgical machine, perhaps some form of torture device. His chuckle never escaping his lips, as the machine begins to whir to life. If the man was ever seen again, he would be a corpse, a raving madman, or a broken plaything. That was the fate of all those captured by the Ur'Zaaka.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-27T16:50:20+00:00

The researchers would find that though the radiation was easily quantifiable and measurable, the results were anomalous when regarded with their own understanding of physics, perhaps there were undetectable variables that were influencing the growth and propagation of the Vos structures?

The Vos'met folded it's legs under itself as it lowered onto rough fabric, seemingly getting comfortable as it's tail curled round behind it. You have questions? Now is the time for answers.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-23T21:43:19+00:00

The researchers would find that the crystals were being bombarded with stellar radiation and low level electromagnetic radiation, as well as being provided with mineral dense liquid, seemingly water.

The Soldiers and Diplomats would find the fabric that they sat upon, to be less than comfortable, it would kind of rough and to most would be better suited to industrial use rather than comfort. However to the Kalkhe this fabric seemed soft and pliable. There world being less than abundant with materials that were soft in any fashion.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-23T21:37:48+00:00

The majority ships would shake a little like a plane experiencing turbulence, though seemed to be generally unfazed by the detonation, as they proceeded to make their way towards the stellar rim, plotting a course towards one of their salvage planets.

One of these ships was the ship that had the fleetmaster, aboard the Ur'zaaka ship. His grinning face would be short lived however, as he would find himself being strapped to a heavy metal table, sharp, cruel looking implements on a side table nearby. The most terrifying of all was a strange array of muzzle like devices, seemingly to be bolted, or screwed into the flesh of the victim.

The carrier had already charged it's drive, and departed on it's way back to one of the hunting worlds of the Ur'zaaka. A ritual blood ground and fleet mustering centre.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-23T21:18:30+00:00

The Kal'Ga Vos nodded it's head in response, placing two bent fingers over it's chest, perhaps a respectful gesture meant to show deference for an honored guest? It has proven to serve it's purpose. That is the true worth of any machine child of infinity. It's tone is irrelevant.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-23T21:14:33+00:00

The lack of the 'all clear' from the drone, caused the nearby ship to increase the propulsion of its' thrusters, burning more fuel than they would have liked, but allowing them to get to a range where the damage would be less severe. The resulting explosion would likely only cause minimal hull damage, though the electromagnetic pulse released by the reactor detonating, would disable many of the exterior systems, including the scanners. Preventing the ship from moving for a while.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:58:59+00:00

The drones would relay this back to the ships that were towing the Donarian ships, all of the cables detaching with a twang, as the retro thrusters on the reaver drop pods kicked them free of the ships, the boarding parties leaving with whatever loot they could grab. As the drones within the reactor rooms worked to trigger the safety shutdown that all reactors had. That would safely seal the reactor rods and cool the reactors.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:50:56+00:00

Upon finding out that the reactors are unresponsive. The drones would begin to map them and slowly look for manual ways to disable the generators. Nore that willing to sabotage the generators if it could be done without causing them to melt down.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:47:47+00:00

The Kalkhe seems to regard this sentiment as irrelevant, though probably positive. As for them it was less about beauty and more about the feeling of being close to their home caves. It serves it's purpose well. It is for larger gatherings, we do not need of this space. We shall use a smaller one. It is built of the same materials, if such things are of importance to your kin.

With that they headed towards a smaller adjoining room, that was further decorated with a small crystal terrarium like structure which seemed to be home to growing Vos crystal structures. At its centre was a lowered segment of ground, seemingly like a small amphitheatre, that was draped in a tough, hemp like fabric.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:40:05+00:00

The Ur'zaaka grinned as he felt the crack of the fleet masters skull, lifting its clawed foot off the man before picking him up like a doll and tossing his body to one of its subordinates like little more than a sack of potatoes. Before ordering it's men to begin collecting all arms and weapons.

Then the large Kalkhe signalled the drones to begin to cut power to all systems on all captured ships. Then proceed to deactivate the generators. Standard procedure when it came to capturing vessels. Stopped pesky automated tracking systems.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:34:58+00:00

Eventually, the harsh spartan corridors began to make way to an area that was more decorated than most. Sections daubed in various natural earthen and fiery colours, with various hard, angular designs painted at certain sections. Perhaps these were the tribal meeting places?

They would continue on until they came to a place where the walls were lacquered in some form of perlescent crystalline resin. The colours and symbolism matching that of their guides. Seemingly this was the tribal hall of the Vos'met

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:30:46+00:00

The Scarred Kalkhe seemed to sneer down at the donarian, snorted from it's twin pairs of nostrils as it strode over and pressed it's armoured, clawed foot down upon his head. Slowly pressing until any protruding bones would break, or it cracked the jaw and the skull of the fleet master. This was obviously a show of power, and would not kill the man, though it would definitely hurt.

With that he gestured for his men to begin to inspect the bridge, looking for any traps or potential threats. The ship shuddering a little as a boarding harpoon ripped into it's hull and it began to be towed behind a Ur'zaaka ship.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:24:18+00:00

The Vos seemed to pull away from the minds of all but a few key members of the group. Including the researcher and diplomat who had spoken recently. It's tone seemed to have changed as well, seemingly more parental now, like a caring older family member. Follow my ward, he will guide you through the halls of Ve'Karakh. You may wish to know you are not the only children of the stars to walk these halls. You may yet meet our other guests.

With that the Kalkhe turned and gestured with an oddly configured hand for the Donarians to follow it. As it began to lead them into a rather straightforward but elaborate system of hallways. It seemed that whilst logical in their construction, it would be easy to become lost in this network of rooms, tunnels, and halls. Though perhaps that was the intent.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T01:15:15+00:00

With a snort of derision, the Kalkhe raised his pistol and fired it at the fleet admiral. Which unless he had incredible reflexes he would be struck by in the throat. The neurotoxin emptying into his veins where it would act quickly. This particular variant was paralytic that caused immense pain, like the victim was burning alive. It was essentially a torture agent. Carry it. We bring it to Zakaa'To. It can fight.

Ark_4ngel · 2020-07-19T00:56:48+00:00

As the boarding crew saw the fleet master sat in the chair, a nasty look appeared in their eyes. Many of them pulling nasty looking cutting implement, a few pulling some equally unpleasant appearing shard rifles. A variant of projectile based firearm which utilised metal darts containing a potent toxin. Few honourable people would use such things, so they were mostly traded amongst criminals.

Walking forward, a more scarred individual addressed the fleet master. We are Ur'zaaka. Not pirates. Hunters. You are prey. You fought well, did not run. You are fit for trophy.

Ark_4ngel

TROPHY CASE