(Approaching DS / Personal - 2 years ago.)

// stardate: 7,486 from last jump point.  Location unknown.

Captians log:
    Our Homeship, the Soner Khal'd, has been at a continual phase jump for 7,486 cycles.  The maintenance nanites have been able to keep it running far past its intended service life, but the drive has begun to fail.  I have issued all crew out of cryostasis and will have the Khal`d at full ready in the next hour.  We will then decide what our best course of action is.  I pray that we come out of phase space somewhere remote enough to continue our mission....

    "Prince Si'V, all stations report ready, Sire!"
    "Very good," replied the Prince "Have the engineering bridge channels patched into all the ships comm chanells so that the crew knows what is going on."
    "Yes Sire"

    "All right Engineering, what is our status?  And keep it simple for the crew." Prince Si'V asked.
    "Yes Prince, the ENx Nanites have kept us in phase jump for the past 7,000 years by continually rebuilding the phase drive components and replace them when necessary.  So long as the core was stable, all the other components could be bypassed temporarily while the parts were replaced.  At 0300 yesterday, the core started to loose power.  We will be forced to drop out of phase in 2 hours or risk having a warp core breach."
    "Thanks you, Engineering." responded Prince Si'V.  "We have already scanned the forward space and have found that there is a large system that is surrounded by many ionic and magnetic storms.  This area may or may not contain space stage life, and may or may not be hostile.  We will come out of phase close to one of the systems suns.  We will need to take this system quickly if we are to maintain our secret project and find a solution to the Darkness we left behind.  I have issued slave order Gamma to the expedition teams, and support order Delta Victor to the rest of the crew."  Si'V brushed his fingers across the holopad, issuing the orders to all stations.  "We will take this system quickly and quietly.  If there is any contact with any space race, you are all expected to disable and question the crew.  Lets not start a war if we can help it.  However, we must maintain level 5 security on the Soner Khal'd.  No foreigners will be permitted on this ship, under any circumstance.  You all have your orders, now head to your stations, and may the Exalted live forever."

    "Do you think we can find a weakness in the Intemperatitus?" inquired Lord Naphtali.
    Si'V turned from the holodeck and answered, "We have to, old friend.  Come, walk with me."  Si'v and Naphtali walked out from the bridge and went down the corridor to the Prince's quarters.  Si'V continued, "The Darkness must be stopped.  We caused the destruction of our entire galaxy!  We have to keep it from spreading to the other galaxies.  We must not fail again."  Si'v sank into his chair, visibly disturbed by the memories of a galaxy swallowed by their own reckless power.
    "So how do you propose we go about defeating the Darkness?" Lord Naphtali asked, wondering what could take on a thing that took over an entire galaxy.
    Si'V looked out his window at the phased stars racing by, mussing at all that the Empire had conquered, and all that it had lost.  "We put all of our effort into finding a weakness."  Si'Vs eyes shaded over from their cutting yellow hue to a deep red.  "We find what can kill those bastards and we take back or fleet, our galaxy, our home!  We are Vassari, we ruled an entire galaxy, had unlimited knowledge and resources, and we squandered it all on trying to be like gods.  No, I will not make the same mistakes my forefathers made.  This time, the Sivtherium will end the darkness and take back our homeworld.  And it starts with taking this local system."
    BUR REEEET!
    Si'V looked down at his desk and punched the ringing comm button, "Yes, what?"
    "Sire, we are coming out of phase space near the Proveva System.  General Nimrod requests you on the bridge"
    "Very well, I will be there shortly"
    Lord Naphali asked, "So do you think we will find any of our Vassari brethren out here?"
    "I hope so Naphali, I hope so."  And with that, they exited the Prince's quarters and made their way back to the bridge to begin the campaign of Retribution of the Last Prince.

(Personal / DS)


-= Blood Ash Batallion - Mercavica System =-


    We've been running from the pirates in the system for what seems like weeks now.  It's only been days, but it feels like weeks.  We're also getting sicker.  Weaker.  Tired.  The Blood Ash refuse to give up.  They see the light at the end of the tunnel, if there is one.  I can't see it.  All I see is the blackness of space, the stars taunting us.  There's people out there, yet no one comes.  I know deep down that they want to come back for us, but I also know deep down that they think we're dead and there's no reason to come back.

    We were chased from the the primary star we were happy to be in low orbit around.  We headed to the smaller Magnetar star in the system called Mercavica Alpha.  The pirates had done little to explore this system prior to our arrival.  The information on their ships navigation computer leaves much to be desired, however, it did provide us with the location of their main base, and a path to it from the main star.  So we knew where they'd likely go.  After some time we tried to go back, but guards are posted up there now to make sure that we're seen when we tried.  We had no choice but to run.  Back to the alpha companion star...  We were followed.  The chase was on...  Like a fox chasing a rabbit.  The fox, a cunning and intelligent hunter.  The rabbit, prey that flees because it knows it's life is on the line.  Our lives are on the line.  If we're captured again, we'll almost certainly be executed...  If we're captured instead of turned to debris floating in space.  If we're not poisoned by this infernal device we're carrying with us.

    We left the alpha companion star turning starboard from our entry from Mercavica Prime.  We followed a known route that looped back onto the dark planet, however, once we reached the nebulaic gas pocket, we followed an uncharted phase lane.  The interference in this system may work out to our advantage for once.  We thought that hopefully, they did not know it was there, nor would bother to try and look for it.  We though, hopefully, they would assume we headed back to the dark planet en route to the primary star again.  We were wrong.  They knew about it.  While we floundered to find our way, they knew exactly where to go and gained ground on us.  We flew through the asteroids, to the massive chunk of rock just floating in space, still running, through a plasma storm, and finally to a pulsar companion known as Mercavica Gamma.  It was here we decided to unload the device.  Just outside the pulsar's damaging radiation, still close enough to hide it.  It's radiation combined with the pulsars radiation should be plenty to hide such a small device.  As the three marines in EVA suits pushed the device out the airlock and used other suits attached to it to hold it in place in it's orbit, a collective sigh of relief could be seen on the faces of all who were watching.  Smiles began to appear for the first time since this whole ordeal had started.  We were no longer being poisoned.  The marines closed the airlock just in time.  Our pirate foxes jumped into the gravity well.  The chase was on again.  Only having half the lead on them that we'd have liked, we continued our journey across the star to the phase lane opposite where we entered.  Trying to gain more ground, the pirates ignored the radiation warnings and made a close flyby of the star in an attempt to gain even more ground on us.

    We jumped to another plasma storm, and from there to another asteroid, but rather then heading to the beta pulsar and being that much closer to the pirate's base of operations, we followed the loop back to another nebulaic gas pocket, and then back to the gamma pulsar where the device is hidden.  The pirates matching our every move forced us to keep moving.  Round and round we went.  Once.  Twice.  Thrice...  It was on this third attempt our hunters got smart and left a blockade behind to slow our progress at the gas pocket.  Having no other choice, we turned starboard again and jumped into the unknown.  Another asteroid belt.  Another chance for our skilled pilots to gain some ground.  Expertly maneuvering around the debris, all of our ship's engines burned bright and hot.  We didn't wait for the pirates to chase us, we made our way to the next phase lane and jumped...  Jumped to a wormhole.  Much like star travel, these navigation computers lacked the programming to safely navigate through the forces of a wormhole.  This would appear to be our end.  But in the face of overwhelming odds, some times small miracles happen.  A brave pilot took his ship into the event horizon, recording and transmitting data to the rest of us, manually compensating for the pushing and pulling of energies, lining up, correcting, lining up, correcting, he reached the edge of the vortex and vanished.  It was enough.  There was enough data recorded to help out the other pilots.  The followed the same exact path, manually correcting to stay on the same path.  Pushed.  Corrected.  Pulled.  Corrected.  Then nothing.  In an instant, the straining metal of the ships hull, the vibrating of all of the equipment.  Everything was silent.  We had reached the other side.

    One thing we knew is we couldn't stay put.  Even though we were now safely beyond the hunter's reach, the navigation computers placed us back on the other side of the dark planet, a path we had been on before.  If we stayed here, we would be found again.  We headed back to the magnetic cloud and followed the uncharted lane to another asteroid belt, and from there to another pulsar companion, Mercavica Epsilon.  It is here we currently sit and wait.  We've used our main engines to push our ships well outside of the gravity well.  We sit somewhere in between Alpha and Epsilon.  A place we know we'll never be found.  A double edged sword if you ask me.  It buys us time to rest, to heal from no longer being poisoned, to come up with another plan, however, if a rescue happens while we're here, we'll never know it, and they'll never see us.  We've used up all of our luck today, and asking for another small miracle is almost completely out of the question.  It doesn't matter though.  For now, we're safely hidden away.  We bought ourselves time, and that is the most important thing right now.  That light at the end of the tunnel?  I think I can see it now.  We've charted the system.  In our downtime, we can argue over the names.  A bit of normal life for once.

The charted system after they name everything.  (This should help your future lore out Siv.)

(DS Space, 2 years ago till now)

//stardate: 0 years from last jump point. Location Proveva System - Desert planet of Enoch


Captains Log:
    We successfully exited phase space near the Proveva System star.  The Soner Khal'd was closer to a desert planet called Enoch, so I had our base of operations set up there.  We had to fly there under sublight engines, due to our phase drive core being rebuilt.  We must find out more about this system, and secure any access into it.  Hopefully I can negotiate with the locals so we can focus on our primary mission...

"I want an options report, Nimrod, Naphtali and Vi'kirga" Prince Si'V asked over the comm channel to the respective lords. "Give me a fair estimate on how fast we can take this system, what resources will be needed, and how long till we reach a solution for the Darkness."

"Sire," General Nimrod responded, "our scouts have gathered intel on all the planetoids within the system and have returned to the ship, save one.  It appears that there is a substantial pirate force located right off the sun."

"Well that will not do." Prince Si'V mused, "Did we get a scan of the system and the fleet makeup?"

"Yes sir, it appears to be of some unknown race.  Biped creatures with light skin, 2 appendages, and a central head atop their bodies. They seem similar to our makeup, but lack any biological advantage."

"If they have no biological advantage, how come our scout could not get out before being destroyed?" Si'V asked bluntly. "We cannot afford to lose any personnel here, we are far to low to begin with."

"Yes sire, it looks like these 'humans' as they are called, have an adequate space tech level.  They simply overwhelmed our scout before he could maneuver to escape. If these pirates are this strong, I fear there may be a larger force in this sector."

"Well, thank Vulcanus that they got a good reading sent before they were lost.  Lets not have this happen again.  Lord Vi'kirga, have your science team work on colonization techs to sufficiently colonize all the surrounding territory.  General Nimrod, I will have the Nanite Reserve fashion you a capital ship and small expedition force to take care of any local resistance.  Lord Naphali, lets see if there is any way to peacefully take some of this territory.  If we can show some of the footage of the Darkness in action, maybe we can sway there allegiance and speed up the process..."

"Yes Sire," Responded Lord Naphali, "and we will all get our proposals to you by the end of rotation."

"very good.  Lets get this done, we are on the clock."

<<<<<<<<<<<<

//stardate: 1 year from last jump point. Location Proveva System - Desert planet of Enoch


Captains Log: Particularized
    This system has proven to be a little bit of a challenge to colonize.  The Pirates have thus far been unwilling to listen to our peaceful intentions.  The local systems all seem to have a bias against our race.  We have been forced into using our slaving methods of old to speed up the colonization process.  But this has paid off.  Our expedition force now is equipped with the following ships >>
>> 1 Jarrasul Evacuator
    1 Skirantra Carrier
    10 Skirmishers
    20 Assailants
    10 Sentinels
    10 Lasurak Transporters
We now control (in order of conquest) >>
>>Abidoan Huge Asteroid - 2 Metal, 2 Crystal
    Tubal Svannah Moon - 1 Metal, 2 Crystal
    Ocran Huge Ocean - 5 Crystal
    Magog Huge Volcanic - 6 Metal
    Reu Volcanic Moon - 0 resources
    Deuel Volcanic - 3 Metal
    Seba Ice Moon - 2 Crystal
    Shelah Huge Ice - 6 Crystal
With the escalating hostility of the local Pirates, we have also built an Orkulus class Starbase on Ocran with full suppression backup structures. We are also currently building an additional Orkulus on Magog.  Our phase jump inhibitor has stopped a scout class vessel there recently and General Nimrod has detained the crew.  Our scientists have examined the ships navigation computer and it appears that our intuition was correct, there is a war going on in or near this Distant Stars system.  It also looks like the size and scope of the opposing fleets is growing quite large.  We must step lightly and remain undetected for as long as possible.  Nimrod should be pleased, we will be expanding the military much further than anticipated...

"Are you sure this is the best course of action, Sire?" High Lord Naphtali asked.

"I don't see any other way to get through this, Naphtali." Prince Si'V replied. "I would have preferred to simply ally with the local populace, aid their existence to further ours, and then left for our homeworld once our means of retribution was discovered.  But if we cannot survive here, than all is lost."

"Do you think we could be diplomatic with the other sides, perhaps help them and gain some trust?" Naphtali inquired.  "We are not getting very far with our research into a possible weakness in the Intemperatitus.  Without that knowledge, we cannot take on the Darkness."

"Yes, I know.  But I think a little intimidation along with diplomacy will increase the odds of aid.  We must mobilize into the Sivtherium Foray."

"If that is what is necessary, then so be it." Naphtali said. "We will have a full fleet built and trained in 1 year. Lets hope that we can retain the veil of secrecy on our system."

"Yes, send out a message to the current fleet - We are to move only in small phase blocks and communicate on subspace frequencies.  We must keep our presence as transparent to any enemy scans.  Detain and memory wipe all alien vessels that are found.  We must keep this operation tight - by the order of Prince Si'V, the last of the Sivtherium Princes."

<<<<<<<<<<<<

//stardate: 2 years from last jump point. Location Proveva System - Star of Proveva


Captains Log:
    The system occupation has been completed for 9 months now.  We found a dwarf military planet between the two gas giants of the system.  It has a hideous population, and is therefor very limited in its usefulness.  The system-wide trade network is up, and per Chief Scientist Lord Vi'kirga's recommendation, Ocran has been made into a central refinery node.  Vi'kirga has found a way to speed up our nanites with the water on the planet. Our economic engine is in full gear.  Current production rates are at 265 credits, 62 Metal, 64 Crystal. The Sivtherium Foray fleet is now completed and is as follows >>
>>    frigtes - 60 Assailants
                   10 Skirmishers
                   20 Sentinels
                   10 Navigators
                   2 Migrators
     cruisers - 30 Enfocers
                  20 Overseers
                  10 Subverters
                  20 Transporters
                  2 Envoys
                  4 Ruiners
     capitals - 2 Evacuators
                  4 Skirantras
                  3 Kortuls
                  1 Marauder
    Homeships - 1 Soner Khal'd - currently dry-docked on Enoch
Current tech levels are as follows >>
>> level 6 Military grade
        phase missiles at %60 bypass rate, Pulse and Wave cannons damage increased by %40
        Hulls are %90 over with %90 increased repair rate, Armor at +8
        EWS, gunships and defensive fortifications all upgraded
    level 7 Economic grade
        Extraction rates are %90 over standard rates - full refinery node operational
        Trade is %60 over standard rates - complete system trade network established
        Phase stabilizers utilized for speedy in system travel
    level 5 Diplomatic grade    
        Inner species affinity at +3 (Thanks to pirate intel)
        Pirate relations improved substantially
        Nanomedicin outreach established    
 
The pirates are now an ally in this system.  2 months ago we tested out the incomplete Sivtherium Foray fleet on the pirate base itself.  The pirates lost half their fleet within the first couple salvos of full tech phase missiles.  They called a truce.  Now in this fortunate turn of events, we are able to garner some much needed intel on the surrounding systems, and most importantly - the individual factions.  It appears that there are 3 distinct races - the TEC, the Advent and our Vassari brethren.  It is truly great news to know that they have survived this whole time.  We will have to send out a signal to them and let them know that one of the Royal Princes survived.  I'm sure they thought the entire Sivtherium clan was wiped out when the core worlds fell. It will be a great day when I can reunite with them...


"The Pirate Lord has requested an in person meeting with you Si'V" reported the comm channel operator."Very well," replied Si'V, "I will meet with him.  Where does he request this meeting?"
"At the pirate base of Issacar, Sire"
"Hmmm, I will meet him there, but first I will see Lord Vi'kirga for a preventative nanite infusion shot."
"Yes Sire, I will relay your acceptance to him."
"Thank you, Ensine."
Si'V met up with Vi'kirga on his way to the shuttle bay.  "So what do you think the Pirate Lord will say to our proposal?" Lord Vi'kirga asked, as he administered the tiny emerald shot to Si'V.
"I think that greed and power are the core driving force for this species, so I do not see why he would not go for the deal."
"And what of this pirate council that he has mentioned?  I don't see how this pirate can hide his huge wealth that he is going to receive.  The other council members may get suspicious and try to come here."
"Well, we have our sun now controlled by 4 Orkulas bases, supported with EWS bombers and gunships.  We also have the main Sivtherium Foray.  I don't think we will have much to worry about yet.  Our biggest problem has been storing the resources that we need to build our 2 additional homeships.  We will never be able to get back to our homeworld without the Trinity."
"Ah, well we are getting very close to finding a potentially lethal weakness in the Intemperatitus.  We just need some more testing done on the Tiras gas giant labs.  So far this biological nanite hybrid has proven effective on all planet systems except the gas planet systems."
"I am confident you will find a solution, but for now, let us find out more about what is out in these Distant Stars"
Si'V then left on his flagship a Korul Devastator named the Pulsar Khal'd, bound for the pirate base on Issacar, to discuss an upcoming espionage mission to the distant sectors of DS space.


----------------------------------------------------
Whew! that was a long post, sorry.
Had to get all that back story in there.  Now the real fun can begin.

And just to find out for future missions - Is there anyone still in the Russundova Nebula?  I recall someones story was in there for a little while.  Is there a fleet there, and is it a faction or a NPC?  Thanks!

Begin Transmission--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: All ships in Bollis Sector

From: Bollis Sub-Space Communications and Navigation Assist.

RE: Buffer Zone Travel

It has come to our attention that a possible Vasari Task Force has been spotted within the Buffer Zone. All Merchant Ships should use caution when operating within the zone, if contact is made, make all due haste to leave the area and report using standard emergency frequencies on last location and any damage to vessels after post engagement if any.

Threat Assessment: Unknown

Intel Assessment: Low

Current Location: Buffer Zone???

Lt Samantha Burns

Commandeer of Bollis Sub-Space Communication and Navigation Assist------------------------------------------------------------- End Transmission--------------------------------

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