Chapter Two

[Quantum Rain]

First topic message reminder :

As the forum auto-splits topics every 50 pages, the next topics will be named further chapters accordingly. This is chapter two, guys, KEEP IT UP!

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Reeds just kept on whistling as guards and crew cleared out of his path. Eventually, he stopped at a door, the label addressing it as 'Science Lab 2A.' He smiled as he opened the door and Lae saw that the science lab was not small by any means. It was massive, in fact, taking up at least five rooms and two floors entirely on its own. It also seemed to host a massive range of equipment, some of which were entirely foreign to him. With all of the technology, equipment, and stores here, one could only wonder what Reeds' intention was with this lab.

He rolled the cart up next to two others and then proceeded to rummage around for a datapad. "Sit down, my fine lab rat." He said friendly still as he finally found his desired object, turning it own and turning toward Lae, a mischievous grin on his face.

[Quantum Rain]

Leon took this note with an instant reaction. Barely having hung on from being knocked about by the explosion, he found it difficult to take a seat. Regardless, though, he managed. Though the briefing room clearly did not come equipped with belts or anything of that nature, he turned on his personal shield to absorb some of the likely impact shock. He hung on to anything and everything his hands found secure, and almost prayed to whatever god was listening that he would survive this.

[Roach]

--Aves--

Ackbar: Heh. Primitive. Potential. Now that we've stopped killing each other, maybe. We'll see. *Beat.* Ambassador, before you leave, I have one final question. We know the Primitus threat is real enough, and that no one race or nation can defeat them alone. However, most of the other races in this sector of the galaxy have been...less than cordial to my assertions. They've agreed to hold a summit in a few weeks' time and consider the threat, but I need evidence to convince them that it is real and coming fast. Ambassador, does the SRI have anything--anything at all--that could help in that regard?

--Palaven--

*After listening to Roach's explanation, Tiamat gives a sigh like twisting metal.* Tiamat: We simply wished to disappear into the galaxy once more. In your language, we desired to be "left alone". And yet, we could not just stand by on our world and watch as the Raiders silenced you.

*After a few more minutes, Chellick arrives.* Chellick: Well, this has been one of the more exciting days of my life. Come quickly, they're ready for you at the peace negotiations.

*He leads them out of the chamber and through the building to yet another room, where a table has been set up. On the left are seated Primarch Fedorian and several other primarchs and their attendants. The right side is empty. Chellick goes to his customary spot behind Fedorian, and Fedorian rises to meet the new arrivals.* Fedorian: Ah, good, you've come. Please, seat yourself on the other side, and we may begin. I expect this will go quickly.

*Tiamat nods and positions herself across from the turians. They wait until the Immortal Council has done so as well.*

Fedorian: Alright, let's get started. What are your terms, Your Grace?

Tiamat: If you cease your chants of war, we will gladly return your people to you. Additionally, we wish to be recognized as a "sovereign nation" and a free people with all rights as such. We desire land to settle as well, and additional songs after the war's end.

Fedorian: I'm impressed. *He looks around.* What do you think? *The other Primarchs murmur assent.* Very well, the Turian Hierarchy agrees to your terms. In addition, we will make reparations to your people--in whatever form you wish--to compensate for our most foolish actions. Finally, we wish to open further negotiations about possible trade and alliance. (To the IC) Councilors, do you have anything to add?

Roach: We shall Also pay reparations to the families of all turian Families who died in this brief but bloody war. In exchange i want to draw up an official military Alliance between our Peoples. Furthermore we offer technological exchange we will give you our advanced shield and armor technology as well as transphasic torpedoes in exchange for Thanix cannons. Id Also like to establish a permanent embassy on Palaven while i will grant you the same on Ramius. And Finally I would like a formal Trade agreement between our peoples these are the best terms i can offer in good conscience for my people.


--Hussar Potential Federation colony System Federation frontier ,Starship Heat's Fire --

The Megathron Class Battleship Heart's Fire[i/] dropped out of Hyperspace at the Edge of the Hussar System the Former Gallente Vessel had been repainted its Crew had Changed Uniforms many had had only a few Months to Adjust to Being Part of the Free Peoples Federation navy but they did their duty and swore their new oaths. The Captain of the [i]Heart's Fire was Jonathan Grissom a young officer who had only recently been given a command. He was a man of average height with a lean athletic build he had physically striking features and short cropped blonde hair above cool emerald eyes. He sat in his commanders chair in the center of the bridge looking over the scans being brought in from probes as they scanned for habitable systems. Hussar Was an odd system it had 15 planets around a single massive Blue Star stranger still three planets shared one orbit and some how manged never to collide when the probes returned with their scans Grissom was not surprised to see that these worlds were the inhabited ones.

Grissom: Williams set a course for the three worlds sharing the single orbit i want to investigate this it cannot be a coincidence that the three worlds in this system that are habitable all share the same orbit.

Williams: Yes sir plotting warp vector to the nearest one now.



*the Mighty battleship accelerated shortly into warp and exited at its destination.*

The planet before them was an almost entirely water world only a single small continent provided land mass and this single Continent was a temperate land with rolling grass lands dotted with lakes and crossed by several rivers.

Grissom: "Run a deep core scan see if this world has any thing in the way of mineral wealth."

Ship Ai: "Scan Initiated"

*about an Hour passes as the ships scanners preform a multitude of different scans searching for interesting minerals or anomalies .*

Ship Ai: "Scan Completed I have found some Interesting things Captain." the AI finally said in its usual male voice

Grissom: What have ya got DAR?

DAR: "This planet has not always been quite as oceanic we have found several continents emerged in water some cataclysm must have flooded this world such as a melting of its polar ice caps. Also more than Ninety percent of the remaining continent is also submerged. Further scan have also indicated that this world was once inhabited by a sentient species our probes have found several sunken ships as well as numerous remains of settlements under the vast ocean it looks to have been inhabited by a prewarp Society how ever there are no sentient life readings currently present any were one the planet and the remaining landmass is devoid of all but local flora and Fauna. The remaining land mass would make an Ideal place for a Human or Klingon colony. Also i have detected Rich Deposits of Iridium, Platinum, Dilithium and Palladium as well as several Veins of Mithril deep on the ocean floors"

Grissom: Send the data back to HQ no doubt they will want to send a survey team and a archeological team to investigate. Move us to the next world helm.

* a short jump later they wind up in orbit of a green gem of a world one massive land mass covers %70 if the planet at the land mass is home to lush forests rolling plains and desert that is marked by a single massive Inland sea with several river emptying into it it is surrounded by trees and grass land standing in stark contrast to the harsh sandy wastes around it. *

Grissom: "Begin your scans ill be in my Ready room i need something to eat. Mr, Rogers you have the bridge."

Roger was an older officer a Lieutenant Commander who had served aboard several vessels but had been passed over for promotion many times due to conflicts with his Commanding officers he took a seat in the Command chair and went about issuing orders to the crew.


Grissom entered his ready room a small well furnished office with a large wooden desk along the back wall facing the door next to the desk was a replicator. Models of ships from every faction in New Eden lined the walls but one was left mostly open with only a large Model of Pyotr the Great and the Litany Of Defiance Grissom had Reserved that wall for Ships of Federation navy. Grissom walked to the food replicator.

"A grilled Cheese sandwich vegetable soup and a Quafe Quantum" His Meal Materialized before him on a tray he picked it up and sat down at his desk. "DAR some music please Dwarven metal keep the volume low enough so i can hear if the door chirps or if my comm goes off."

DAR: Affirmative.

*The sound of electric guitars and deep baritone voices soon flooded the room Grissom leaned back in his chair and enjoyed his meal*

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Palaven--

*Fedorian nods thoughtfully.* Fedorian: We'll have to draw up a separate peace treaty with the Federation. It's a pain, I know, Councilors, but as you humans say, "It's the nature of the beast". *He notes down the terms as they have been laid out, and goes on.* Now, Your Majesty, I'll have the final version drafted.

Tiamat: It cannot be sealed yet. We must bring your Primarchs' people back.

Fedorian: I was just about to get to that. I'll arrange to have a message sent to your planet.

Tiamat: That will not be necessary. We shall send the word ourselves.

Fedorian: Very well, but how...? Nevermind. I think I'd better not ask.

*To their surprise, Tiamat utters a low, humming croon--a far cry from her normally metallic voice. The sound reverberates through the listeners' bones, causing some to clench their teeth involuntarily. To Roach, the noise seems disturbingly similar to the indoctrination signal emitted by Reapers.*

*The signal travels up, up, up through Palaven's atmosphere, where the Rachni frigate in orbit receives it, amplifies it, and then sends it in New Song's direction.*

Tiamat: It is done. Your people will be home in three of your days.

*The turians brighten.* Fedorian: Excellent, excellent! In that time, we can draft up that other peace treaty with the Federation, Councilors. *He rises.* Let's all take a break for now. Councilors, may I speak with you for a moment, please?

*The other turians leave the room, and Chellick beckons Tiamat to come with him. Fedorian and the Immortal Council are soon alone.*

Fedorian: Councilors, I hope I don't have to tell you that while the war faction has been smashed, our troubles are not yet over.

[Roach]

--Palaven---

Kane: They never truly are.

Putin: So it would seem.

*roach looks glazed as if wrapped in deep thought* Roach: Indeed what troubles have we now?

--Hussar--

The door to Grissom's quarters chimes about an hour later. "Enter!" Grissom says from behind his desk he door slides open and Commander rogers enters the room.

Rogers: Captain our scan are complete this planet also has rich mineral wealth local flora and fauna are consumable by all federation species and this world could support several colonies. I'd recommend this as a site for a Klingon and Trandoshan centric colony sir the local fauna is large and predatory and it would provide good sport for them. Also the climate is very similar to Trandosha its self. also in the northern mountains we have found large veins of Iron, mithril and gold.


Grissom: Very well send your report to the colonization board with your suggestions. *Grissom and rogers return to the bridge Grissom takes his place back in the Captain chair.*

Grissom: Helm take us to the last of the three planets.

*With a lurch the ship makes another short hyperspace jump.*

The third world was a surprise orbiting it were several ancient looking satellites and a large space station surrounded by a ring of ancient looking defense guns a single battered ship hung in orbit an old Rendilli Neutron star bulk Cruiser.

Grissom: Interesting hail that ship.

Comm Officer: No good sir those old satellites are putting up a jamming field i cant get any scans through or any comm signals.

Grissom: Put that ship on the main view screen and magnify. The Bulk cruiser appeared in larger size its hull was pocket marked with micrometeorite scores and blaster burns sever sections of its armor had been haphazardly replaced several extra weapons had been jury rigged and several modifications had been made then Grissom spotted the name plate Corsair III[i/].

Grissom: DAR cross reference the name of that ship with Federation records.

DAR: The Corsair III was a new republic military vessel that disappeared some time prior to the Thrawn Campaign its last transmissions were distress calls indicating it had lost power to its hyper drive the Victory Class Star Defender [i]Freedom's Blade was dispatched to assist by the time it arrived the ship had vanished and it found only traces of a collapsed worm hole.

Grissom: My god it wound up all the way out here an entire galaxy away. It was a miracle Roach was Able to Move Ramius and Arda through the artificial worm hole that brought us here but this is unexpected.

Science Officer: Sir I've managed to cut through the jamming with our sensors im detecting life signs aboard that vessel another interesting not that space station is a Jovian research station abandoned almost 3 centuries ago the defense turrets are 50 year old models designed by a now bankrupt Gallente defense company i have also detected both power readings and life Signs from the station i don't know how but they got it working.

Comm Officer: Sir we are being hailed by the ship it has powered it engines and raised shields the defense guns have also powered up.

Grissom: On Screen.

The image of a middle aged woman appears on screen she is wearing a suit of new republic battle armor her arms crossed firmly across the chest a curious look on her face.

Corsair III Captain: This is captain Jessa Dravik of the vessel corsair III to unidentified vessel please state your intentions.

Grissom: I am Captain Jonathan Grissom of the Free Peoples Federation star ship Heart's Fire we were surveying the planets in this system for colonization possibilities when when happened to stumbled upon you. We do not have any hostile Intent.

Dravik: You the ones who sent the Sansha and Blood Raiders packing? Out spies had been observing that Campaign we had some problems with them before but they mostly left us alone the just mined one of the asteroid belts nearby and left we got in a scuffle with one of their cruisers took a beating but we survived they didn't.

Grissom: Yes the free Peoples Navy captured and executed Sansha Kuvakei if I may ask how have you Survived here?.

Dravik: That is a long story and better told in person ill lower your shields and you can bean over with a pair of security escorts if it makes you feel better.

Science Officer: the defense guns are offline they have sent transport coordinates.

Grissom: Very well, Drizen, Adams meet me in transporter room one. *A large Trandoshan male and a Minmatar male left the bridge. Grissom grabbed his pistol from the locker and slipped it into his holster. he also attached a personal shield to his wrist. by the time he reached the transporter room his escort was waiting clad in standard Federation light combat armor and armed with their side arms. they stepped onto the transporter pad Grissom looked at the transporter tech and said

Grissom: Energize.

They rematerialized in what looked like a cargo room they were met by a Nikto officer and two human security personnel.

Nikto: Follow me the captain is waiting in the observation lounge.

The Nikto lead them down a corridor it was well lit but the ship had obviously been in many battles several bulk heads had been replaced wires dangled from the ceiling carbon scoring marked several parts of the corridor and scrap metal and other refuse was scattered about shoved along the walls of the corridor.

"Ship looks like it has seen better days" Adams remarked his hand hanging lazily over his blaster pistol.

Nikto: "Most of this damage was caused recently we got caught by a Sansha Cruiser a pair of webber drones locked us down we managed to shoot them down but by then the Cruiser had scrammed the navicomputer and overheated the hyperdrive core. We dueled with them for hours managed to drop their shields with our ion cannons wen pounded on em with turbolasers for a but and finally took out their guns but they gave us a hell of a bloody nose then they hit us with some damn EM charge overloaded all our systems next thing ya know are being boarded we finally killed most of their crew with heavy casualties they dislodged and tried to ram us we manged to evade they over shot and we unloaded a salvo of concussion missiles into their drive section that was it they went up in a spectacular blue explosion we managed to salvage some of their ship we managed to fit a pair of their laser cannons onto our ship although it took us awhile to rig a back up set of capacitors to deal with the drain they caused.

They finally reached the observation lounge the Nikto waved them inside then marched off down the corridor.
they entered the room Dravik was sitting on one end of a half circular couch around a large round table.

Grissom: You lads watch the door I'll see what i can find out *grissom strode over and took a seat opposite from Dravik.*

Dravik: Well i told you id tell you how we survived so here goes. We were pulled through a wormhole and we wound up at the edge of this system out hyperdrive was fried our shields were barely operational and we were loosing power. We found this derelict station and docked with it our engineers managed to get the power online the stations AI came to life and in a week or two we managed to befriend him, he pulled our ship into an automated repair array and completely overhauled it ripped out the old computers replaced them optimized all of the things that made the old Neutron star class obsolete. I guess it was a hell of a job because the AI said the work had irreparably damaged the repair array but our ship was turned from an obsolete frigate to a true combat vessel the reactor core was doubled in power power distribution was optimized the computer was retooled and its response times were tripled it was impressive. But the station did not have any supplies and our consumables were running dangerously short the AI gave us coordinates to port in Minmatar space were we could get supplies but we had nothing to barter with so we went scavenging. We found several battle sites were we later learned capsuleers had destroyed a blood raider strike group. We salvaged all kinds of things armor plates, drone control circuits, scrap metal, weapons, ammunition, wires circuitry we filled our cargo hold and we converted the old fighter bay to extra cargo space left the X-wings in the station docking bay along with a couple of shuttle that had been abandoned with the station. We flew into port and made a killing selling the salvage we made enough to buy a cargo vessel a Mammoth Class Transport we named it the Firaxa we filled it up with food, medical, supplies, water, fuel, we also bought a link to the New Eden holonet or what ever they called it we made good use of the market interface to sell more salvage we came across we managed to scrounge up some old defense batteries and Jammer satellites and we lived here peacefully for over a decade salvaging a living from battle grounds going into port with our two ships every year or so. Then we had some troubles we ran into some troubles with a small independent pirate group they were small but well equipped they ambushed us on a salvage run we managed to fend them off until the Firaxa arrived they were surprised to see a cargo ship completely overhauled carrying four light missile launchers and four howitzers we destroyed three of their frigates and a cruiser and the ran off the rest. we pulled back to our base and using some of our stockpiles we added guns to the station itself and we even hired a couple of Capsuleers for security you'd be surprised how much a pair of Brutix battle cruisers can make some one think twice about an assault they finally did attack though with a dozen cruisers seventeen frigates and a pair of battle cruisers we we out numbered and out gunned but we had the advantage Ion cannons most of their ships were Caldari our ion cannons ripped down their shields and we pummeled them with missiles and laser cannons the capsuleers we hired we expert pilots they broke the cruiser formation to pieces in minuets finally we defeated them they retreated in their pods and never bothered us again. since then we had not trouble until the sansha took over the stain region we stayed out of their way and they ignored us we were pretty far out from any new Eden system we just cut through to the nearest gate and made our way to port had to break up a few gate camps occasionally but hey that was community service. All in all we have been here more than 30 years i was twenty when I took command of this ship now I feel old my people are tired most of them have families now we have a bunch of slaves we rescued from an Amarr slave transport years ago that have joined the crew there are over 5000 of us i hope you do set up those colonies we need a neighbor we can count on i Guess there is the Turian's near by but they mostly ignore us some times we sell fuel to passing transports or get some news from their patrol ships but recently not much else. So that's our story I hate to ask this but if you could help us get this ship back up to snuff i would greatly appreciate it.

Grissom: You have taken more damage than my engineers can repair we can get you to a Federation Repair facility though a few patrol will be here soon to lay out sites fro colonization i can have them make sure your station is defended while your gone if that's alright.


Dravik: I'd appreciate it let me get the crew prepared and explain whats going on thank you captain.


*several hours later a Federation Scout line arrives they begin colonization efforts and a few ships are diverted to patrol the Marooned new republic ships outpost. The Corsair III and the Heart's Fire arrive at repair station 345 a repair center run by the free peoples Irregulars the Corsair is pulled into a repair dock and repairs commence the crew takes some much needed R&R at one of the Cafes on the main station while the is being repaired.*

[darthme]

Diplomat Xarov patiently waits for Ackbar's aforementioned meeting to happen.

[Sir Noret]

/Requiem/Unknown\

The small ship crashed into some plains on this dead world at around mach 2, resulting in a cacophonous roar accompanied by a flash and a not insignificant crater. Though the ship's shields absorbed the brunt of the impact, the ship was left essentially broken and powerless and the crew very rattled. A few moments after the crash the head of a very battered looking Lieutenant Engel, appeared in the doorway of the briefing room. "Containment breach imminent. Grab everything you can and then RUN," she manages to yell before running to grab things herself.

[Quantum Rain]

Leon almost swore as he crashed into the wall, the air flying out of him as he swore he heard bones shatter upon impact. When the commander came running through, he groggily brought himself back up just to run out of the ship as soon as possible, datapad and weapons already in his possession. He didn't look back to see if others were following him, he was just sprinting.

[Sir Noret]

/???|Unknown\

After roughly 5 minutes the squad had evacuated the crash site to appreciable distance and was still running when a second boom erupted from behind them as the ship's Anti-Matter store broke containment. The crew was knocked to the ground by the shock-wave and was left dazed for sometime. When Lieutenant Engel regained her composure she started barking orders, "Everyone who can form up, establish a perimeter of sorts, and help the others."

[Quantum Rain]

This was definitely not Leon's lucky day... As he slowly got back up, his head reeling from being knocked over, a second, time, and having his armor slam into him, a second time, he brushed himself off. He was also attempting to fend off the inevitable shock of pain coursing through his body, at least long enough to think, approaching the Lieutenant with datapad in hand. "Ma'am, I managed to download as much of the sensor data before we were evicted."

[Sir Noret]

/???|Unknown\

"Good, though I'm not sure how much use it will be. Regardless go through the data and see if you can find anything" she responds.

The bruised squad had taken up positions around a small rump of a hill, they were far to battered and tired to set up anything resembling proper defenses so they rested but remained on guard. The hill was surrounded on all sides by open plains, with the exception of the newly formed and still smoldering crater. There was a decided dearth of everything except soil and grasses, their position seemed the highest point for several kilometers in any direction. However, in the far west loomed the tattered skylines of a long abandoned and decrepit city. Those who could, and weren't busy, looked towards it, perhaps for the simple reason it was the most, indeed the the only, interesting thing besides the crater in sight, or perhaps it's ominous nature drew their attentions unconsciously to it. Lieutenant Engel moved amongst the troops, providing what care she could to her shattered team as the system's star began to slowly set.

[Quantum Rain]

Leon sat down cautiously, attempting not to cause more pain than he had to deal with already. As he sat down on the grassy field, he began sifting through the sensor data, the maps, anything he could find that might be relevant to what they require at this time.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Diplomat Xarov patiently waits for Ackbar's aforementioned meeting to happen.

(He'll be waiting a while. Sorry, I forgot about our thing. Let us continue.)

--Aves--

Ackbar: My people never knew the scourge of the Primitus, thankfully for us, though now it leaves me badly wanting for evidence to prove they exist. A few dreams and cloudy visions won't suffice for the races attending this summit. In fact, none of us have much (if any) proof. The Primitus were very thorough in wiping traces of their existence from the civilized galaxy. What proof we have...came at a heavy cost. And it's still not enough. But please let us take a look at these artifacts of yours--maybe we'll see a breakthrough. Additionally, Ambassador, please convey my regards back to your leaders, and requests to set up trade, build an embassy, and negotiate an alliance. I think that concludes our business here, unless there’s anything further you wish to discuss…?

--Palaven--

*Fedorian's brow plates furrow.* Fedorian: To say that the war faction's remnants are...outraged would be an understatement. They're battered, but definitely not beaten. I am troubled by the lengths they are probably willing to go for their stupid war to continue. I’m not certain what exactly that would entail, but we have to stay vigilant.

[Roach]

Kane: We could have the Jedi shadows and Watchmen keep an eye on their movements.

Putin: That would seem prudent.

Roach: As long as you can keep them portrayed to the people as radicals and extremist they should be drown out.

[darthme]

Diplomat Xarov patiently waits for Ackbar's aforementioned meeting to happen.

(He'll be waiting a while. Sorry, I forgot about our thing. Let us continue.)

--Aves--

Ackbar: My people never knew the scourge of the Primitus, thankfully for us, though now it leaves me badly wanting for evidence to prove they exist. A few dreams and cloudy visions won't suffice for the races attending this summit. In fact, none of us have much (if any) proof. The Primitus were very thorough in wiping traces of their existence from the civilized galaxy. What proof we have...came at a heavy cost. And it's still not enough. But please let us take a look at these artifacts of yours--maybe we'll see a breakthrough. Additionally, Ambassador, please convey my regards back to your leaders, and requests to set up trade, build an embassy, and negotiate an alliance. I think that concludes our business here, unless there’s anything further you wish to discuss…?

"I think that will suffice. Thank you for your time and hospitality, Admiral. I will send for the artifacts I mentioned, and await the meeting."

[Sir Noret]

--Coruscant--

Slavic strides over and gives ray a bear hug. "how you been old buddy haven't seen you in over a year."

--Black Sea--

The Two ships approach the Armenian coast near the border with Georgia they spot a Ottoman merchant ship a 24 gun Indian man style Vessel likely purchased from the dutch or French.

"Ship ahead Ataman!" A look out yelled from the crows nest

Dimitri pulled his spy glass out of his coat the ship sat on the horizon moving on a similar southwesterly course then it turned broad side and fired its cannons. they splashed in the water 100 feet from the Ataman's Bounty.

"9 pounders accurate but not a lot of penetration" Dimitri said to himself "Chase gun chain shot!" Dimitri barked the massive 64 pound cannon was loaded and with a deafening whumpf the massive gun fired several chain shot leapt forward and one sheered right through the middle of the Turks main mast. With a loud crack i fell from the ship and slipped below the water.

"Hard Starboard!" Dimitri barked "run out the guns"

the massive ship slowly swiveled as she did here gun ports opened. Her massive armament brought to bear.

"full broad side!" with a chain of whumpfs the batteries fired 27 cannon balls flew through the air several impacted rocking the Turkish ship.

"I commend you on your accuracy men! Signal the Austrian to run him down while we approach to board."

/Coruscant\

"I'm good, but things around here have been slow..." Ray responds cautiously.

/Black Sea\

The SMS Luftstromen opens her sails and moves to intercept the Turkish vessel's line of escape.

/Unknown\

Leon finds that the planet's atmosphere is breathable, not irradiated, and the biosphere appears mostly intact but not of any nature that the UC recognized. The Scans also detected a few locations of abnormally high energy, similar to what one would find from civilization or large masses of creatures, mostly in what appeared to be the cities but a few in the country side.

[Roach]

--Coruscant--

"Look we can catch up later but for now i need your help we assaulted a Black Sun strong hold and captured some data but its encrypted i was wondering if you have the tech to slice it or know were we can find it."

--Black Sea--

Ataman's bounty move closer to the Turk vessel close enough for the crews to start exchanging musket fire. Dimitri grabbed his rifle and took careful aim he squeezed the trigger and a Turk sharp shooter came tumbling from the crows nest with a scream.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

Ackbar: Excellent. Thank you, Ambassador. Guards! Please take Pav Xarov back to his ship.

*Several avian guards hurry into the room and lead Xarov to another gunship, which returns him to the platform where the Stenn is docked. Once the SRI vessel gets underway, several avian warships escort it through the system until it jumps away.*

--Palaven--

Fedorian: Good, good. I will dispatch some Blackwatch squads to assist as well. Spying is not my people's--how do you humans say it? Forte?--but the Blackwatch is Palaven's finest. Now come! Let's draft our own treaty and take the next step in ending this silly war.

*He returns to the table.* Would you mind restating your terms?

--Pheiros Cluster--

*A small flotilla of Rachni frigates emerges from the Durana System's mass relay, regroups, and begins heading to the system's edge, where they can jump to FTL and take the next relay in the cluster to the Apien Crest. They soon reach the exit point and blast away into FTL.*

*Several hours later, they arrive in the Coronatus system. The Hive loses contact with them shortly afterward.*

[Roach]

Roach: A military Alliance, Trade, Scientific Exchange, The technology for your Thanix cannons in compensation we shall give you advanced armor and shield technology as well as Transphasic Torpedo tech, I want a Jedi Enclave established here and your permission for my Jedi masters to begin seeking out force sensitives on your worlds. And Finally we shall pay the families of all those who died in this brief but bloody war also we shall of course be setting up an embassy here.

[Quantum Rain]

A phase shift rupture can be detected a fair distance from Palaven. Three ships emerge from it, all three are cruisers, with the markings, and style, of the IS warships the Turians had seen earlier at New Song. They have their shields raised, but aren't powering weapons of any sort. The lead ship is hailing for a place for the ambassador aboard to land and to meet with any form of representative or leader the Turians deem to answer with. They assure peaceful intentions as well, and will have the other ships remain a distance away if necessary.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Palaven--

*Fedorian notes down the terms, and then adds his own.* Fedorian: We know little of these Jedi, but I'm confident the Assemblage will accept now that the War Faction has been smashed. You can discuss the details to them later...this is just a broad agreement allowing you to ask for permission to search for such individuals. You'll have to talk to each individual Primarch for them to actually allow it. *He winks.* Have fun with that.

We will also pay reparations to your peoples' families and ask to set up an embassy on Ramius. Right, done! Now follow me--the next step in the political process looms.

*In two days, the treaty is drafted, approved by the Primarchs, and signed. Hostilities between the Turian Hierarchy and the Federation come to an end. Anticipation is palpable across the planet as the deadline for the prisoners' return approaches. On the third day, the Rachni frigates are still nowhere in sight when the IS ships arrive. After determining their origins and intent, the turians grant the newcomers berths for their ships and send a shuttle to take the ambassador to Cipritine--Palaven's capital. In yet another room of the vast Primarch Forum, the diplomat is met by a single turian with bright, intelligent eyes and a shrewd grimace. He walks toward the IS rep, holding out his three-fingered hand.*

Chellick: Greetings. I'm Chellick Trakus, assistant to High Primarch Fedorian of the Turian Hierarchy. And you are...?

*Meanwhile, in another area of the building, Tiamat waits nervously with the Immortal Council.*

Tiamat: They will be here...they will.

*Fedorian looks uncomfortably at Roach.* Fedorian: We haven't logged any Rachni ships passing through the relays near this cluster. This is...troubling.

[Quantum Rain]

The older Virisian turned and returned the smile warmly, taking the hand firmly. "Alanis Fields, Ambassador sent by the Imperial Sovereignty State Department. Pleasure to meet you, Chellick Trakus." He appeared to be in his mid-forties, with gray-streaks in his hair to support that theory. However, he seemed to retain some of his youth, as wrinkles were hardly seen, and there were few signs of aging amongst his facial appearance. As well, his body seemed sturdy enough, for an ambassador.

[Roach]

Roach: This has taken too long. We need to investigate this ourselves. We will depart on the Jedi cruiser, Balmorra, as it awaits in orbit on my orders. I sent the Pyotr away after we signed the treaty. No need to keep a Star Dreadnaught in orbit.

(Rain: Edited to be clearer, with better punctuation. Also fixed slight error with italics.)

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Palaven--

Chellick: Pleasure's all mine. You have the Hierarchy's thanks for showing up like you did to that [censored] back at New Song...or at least my personal one. Hell, I don't care if I have the authority to say this or not--you saved a lot of lives that day, turian or otherwise. But I doubt you came all this way to hear me wax poetic; what brings your people to Palaven, Ambassador Fields?

*If Fields is telepathic, he may sense a great mind nearby--one completely alien.*

Fedorian: There is definitely something going on here. (To Tiamat) Your Majesty would never want to jeopardize the peace process like this... *At Roach's remark, he nods.* I understand. The affairs of your own people call you home. *He produces a small data module from his desk and gives it to Roach.* Here--this contains the current locations of the Blackwatch squads I've selected to keep watch on the war faction, and how to contact them. I have a feeling that if your--what did you call them? Jedi Shadows?--work with them, we may just get to the bottom of this mystery more quickly.

Tiamat: Wait. It is worse than we feared. We cannot hear the voices of the Dark Singers...not even a whisper in the dark. They are somehow cut off from our chorus.

*Her words' meaning quickly dawns on the Primarch.* Fedorian: What? That's impossible. Rachni telepathy can't be jammed...can it?

Tiamat: This has never happened to us before...we fear. We fear... *The queen's body shudders as she imagines the unspoken option: That the ships--hatched from eggs that she herself laid--are dead.*

[Quantum Rain]

Alanis nods, replacing his hand to his side. "I was sent to learn more of your people and possibly open up diplomatic relations." Fields was a mild empath, having already sensed the presence of another, more powerful entity close-by, but not focusing on it, to avoid any emotions to overtake his own. "The High Sovereigns were interested in learning more about you, since our last encounter."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Palaven--

*Chellick grimaces ruefully.* Chellick: I suppose I should be flattered that you've taken an interest in our people. I would send for Primarch Fedorian to meet you personally, but he is...busy at this time. I'll have to take over for now--shall we take it question-and-answer, or should I just give you a basic overview of my people?

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