ic Praetorians: A Paradigm Shift [IC]

[Thevshi]

Kestevan 79

Coalition Victory Station

Lor time mark 2104.5

 

For the last several cycles, tensions along the boards of the Coalition worlds and the Stellar Khanate had been high. After Star-Khan’s brief attempt to restore the Khanate to its pre-Incursion boards, which had only been partially successful, things had gone back to the longstanding status quo of occasional build up of military forces on either side of the boards and the far more common influence and activities of the criminal organizations allowed to operated basically unchecked within the Khanate’s boarders. But other than the military forces or the Praetorians and Star Knights, most beings within the Coalition and Lor Republic went about their daily routines, building on the progress that had been made since the end of the Incursion.

 

Recently, there had been reports suggesting some sort of disruption within the boards of the Khanate, although details were rather sparse. There were even rumors that began to make their way to Republic and Coalition governments that Kinan Khan, the once formidable Star-Khan, had died, succumbing to a combination of his advancing age and the terrible injuries he suffered at the hands of the Communion. However, thus far, those rumors were not yet confirmed. One thing was clear, something was happening within the Khanate, which brough the concern of whether whatever was happening would erupt beyond its borders.

 

So, when a Khanate cruiser approached the system that was home to Coalition Victory Station and hailed the station requesting an audience with the Coalition council, it was cause for great concern. This was particularly true as the last time a Khanate warship had visited CoVic Station, it had been part of a ruse to steal certain information and materials from the station and coincided with the launch of Star-Khan’s attempt to reconquer lost worlds.

 

While Republic and Coalition forces along the Khanate boarder were put on high alert in preparation for any renewed hostilities, the cruiser was held far from CoVic Station until its intentions could be confirmed. As a gesture of good will, the Khanate vessel had agreed to allow a group of inspectors abord to confirm it was not preparing for an attack. And so, a shuttle craft carrying three members of the Praetorians and several members of the Lor Navy made its final approach to the main hanger of the Khanate cruiser….

[Ecalsneerg]

Chlo'zel Elzak's boots tramped along the hallway as she made her way past trained Naval crewmen making preparations. This was an exceptionally dangerous assignment, one she wasn't sure she was comfortable with. And as the one who'd landed the final blow upon Kinan Khan, perhaps not their favourite person in the galaxy. 

 

She adjusted her collar as she walked, her golden yellow coat fastened up to the neck, the buttons some polished red metal. Her ice-blue jumpsuit had barely a wrinkle on it, and her wrackhide boots had been polished as much as she was able. They only shone up so well; wrackbeast scales spark dangerously under sufficient friction and it tended to burn the polish black. Still, it did to make the effort.

 

Chlo'zel nodded to her fellow Praetorians. "Unsure what's worsedanger," she said somewhat amiably, even if her blue face bore a worried expression. "If trapruse, or if sincere. Khanate cannot have common ground." Galvanic inclined her head respectfully to the much-taller Sitara and Myoth. "We have each other's backs," she told them, with utmost sincerity, knowing between the three of them they'd make it out just fine. 

Edited January 13 by Ecalsneerg

[Tiffany Korta]

The Traveller

Sitara had not long returned from another bout of wanderlust, going out to explore part of the borders she’d not been to for a few thousand years. In fact, she’d only come back recently to CoVic after hearing rumours about events in the Khanate. She’d almost considered going back into the Khanate but figure, correctly as it seemed, Sitara figured she could be more useful back on the station.

 

 

“The fact that they’ve not attacked yet is (I hope) a good sign. It’s unlikely they would have gone to all this trouble if they just wanted to gain some kind of revenge.” she then gave a little shrug

 

 

“Or I’m going off of too much adrenaline and too little sleep. Either way, we still need to be cautious.”

[Exaccus]

Myothizar had only recently roused from his cycles long period of secluded meditation, the turmoil that raged within his mind had calmed enough for him to return to service, the universe however remained as turbulent as a stormy sea, matter and energy thrumming discordantly around him

 

Gently placing the long digits of his slender hand against his forehead to shield his unblinking eyes from the artificial lights.

 

"We mustn't be allowing our past to determine our futures." Myothizar commented tiredly as he strokes his frazzled antenna back into their usual neat state.

 

"We must be as ready to making peace as we is to waging war."

[Gizmo]

A few paces from the Praetorians a tall, rail thin Lor triple-checked the data summary on his tablet to distract himself from fretting over the proper decorum for interfacing with the colourful group's nebulous official rank and storied accomplishments. Science Officer Rex-01 was the first of a clone batch only commissioned in the wake of the Incursion, patterned after one of the heroes of Lor-Van's final hours, simultaneously of unproven stock and with the crushing weight of legacy upon his shoulders. Accelerated maturation cycles meant he looked to be in his mid-twenties, perhaps older thanks to his high forehead and pronounced cheekbones but it was difficult not to feel like a youth as he cleared his throat to interject into the Praetorians' conversation.

 

"The, ah, that is to say, the broad spectrum readings don't suggest readied weapons, conventional propulsion, esoteric drives, cloaking technology or catastrophic overloads. If that... if that helps," he offered, taking a step toward the group while remaining what he hoped was a respectful distance apart. "I've also been comparing heat signatures and psi-bands for matches against known mind control or coercion methods that might explain unusual behaviour. They haven't sent of received any communication since agreeing to the boarding party, not subspace, telepathic, quantum entangled, dash code or carrier animal." Rex-01 turned his tablet around to show them a dizzying scroll of graphs. "I, ah, I don't care for surprises. But that's why we're here, yes? To check in person. Boots on the ground! Ahem."

[Thevshi]

GM

 

As the shuttle entered the cruiser’s main hanger, Rex-01 was able to project a holographic display of the hanger for the gathered Praetorians. What it showed was not what one would normally expect aboard a Khanate military cruiser. Where one would expect a bustling hanger, filled with star fighters and other smaller spacecraft, was instead, nearly empty. A small handful of shuttle craft were lined up along one side of the hanger, but they were not the large, assault shuttles used by the Khanate, but smaller, lightly armed vessels more appropriate for courier or diplomatic duty.

 

There were also very few figures in the hanger, a few maintenance crew gathered around one of the shuttles, and two other individuals standing toward the inner most wall of the hanger, awaiting the inspection shuttle’s arrival. One was dressed in the teal and navy-blue robes often worn by Zultasian nobles. The other, was dressed in the armor of a Khanate Justicar.

 

Once the shuttle had landed and the inspectors began to disembark, the Zultasian noble and Justicar moved forward to greet them. "Greetings mighty Praetorians, honored representatives of the Lor Republic, I am Ambassador Malor and on behalf of the Star Khan and the Stellar Khanate I welcome you aboard. May I introduce Justicar Vor'an." The ambassador indicated the Justicar beside him briefly before continuing. "Given the…unpleasant events which occurred during the last, and admittedly mostly false, diplomatic mission to CoVic Station, we fully understand the need for this inspection to confirm our intentions before allowing us to proceed with any audience before the council and intend to cooperate fully."

 

Justicar Vor'an slowly took a few steps forward, extending his arms out to hold his power staff out in front of him, resting on the palms of his open hands. "Praetorians, as a further gesture of good will, I surrender my power staff to your custody for the duration of your inspection and any audience on CoVic Station which may be granted to our delegation." The Justicar stated simply. The Praetorians and Rex-01 were well aware that the Justicar armor provided its wearer with considerable protection, but it was the power staff that provided them with the majority of their offensive capability, capable of challenging a Star Knight, and even potentially harming Paradigm on the highest settings.

[Tiffany Korta]

Traveller

“Oh I like him, can we keep them?” Sitara said in an exaggerated whisper after Rex-01’s report, despite everything she was at still an Engineer at heart.

 

As they left the shuttle she retracted her power armour, revealing her dress uniform. She wasn’t a fan of the thing, tugging it down to fit better, but diplomacy was diplomacy and after all her time travelling she’d picked up a thing of two.

 

In the same vein she didn’t act surprised by the Justicar’s offer, though she was a little, but she gave a suitable level (low enough to show respect but not weakness) offering out her hands to accept the power staff. She was by most metrics the most senior of the Praetorians after all!

 

“You honour us with your generous offer of peace. I shall personally guard this badge of honour until we can place it somewhere secure.”

 

She couldn’t help but notice that the Staff had several designs borrowed from her own Power Pike, though obviously they had gone for power over flexibility. Though now probably wasn’t the time to mention such things…

[Exaccus]

Moon-moth held his peace as he stood at the rear of the procession, his lack of elegance with the spoken word made him unsuitable for delicate diplomatic tasks beyond advising those who could divine the meanings in his words, he never the less gestured the universal greeting in his native none verbal language, adding on the desire for a fruitful relationship to form, his long slender fingers curling and flexing in a series of hand signs to convey his thoughts. antenna flicking and twitching to accent them with more formal tones.

 

Welcome to our home, we wish you a comfortable stay and hope that these endeavors lead us all to a more fruitful and peaceful future

 

Long hours of encoding the Lanternian language into modern universal translator devices would now hopefully pay off

[Ecalsneerg]

Galvanic walked to the right of the procession, making little effort to fade into the background. Despite her nervousness, it didn't particularly show, a resolute expression on her face. She was glad Sitara had taken the staff, delicate technology like that, she'd probably accidentally fry it and cause a diplomatic incident. She still tried to avoid touching instrumentation. 

 

She inclined her head in a slow nod, red eyes tracking the Ambassador and Justicar. It seemed to at least be legitimate for now, there weren't scores of armed troops awaiting the Praetorians. She was just here for muscle, she wasn't especially a diplomat or a weapons technician. "We welcome the gesture," Galvanic told the Justicar. "Enough blood has been shedbled."

[Thevshi]

GM

 

"Thank you Praetor Shashikala." The Justicar replied as he stepped back when Traveller took the offered power staff, giving Galvanic a small nod in response to her added comments.

 

As the universal translator provided translation of Moon-Moth's Lanternian greeting, Ambassador Malor smiled and gave a small bow. "Very well said Praetor Myothizar. It is very much our hope that what is to be discussed this day will lead to both a fruitful and peaceful future for all involved."

 

The Zultasian noble then gave a small smile. "But, first steps, there is the matter of the requested inspection. We are fully prepared to cooperate however is necessary to provide any assurances that may be required. Where would you like to begin?"

[Gizmo]

Rex-01 had remained a few steps behind the Praetorians as they disembarked, furiously scribbling with a stylus the moment they entered the interior of the larger ship. While the instruments in his tablet automatically generated video footage and transcripts the clone scientist added a steady stream of his own handwritten notes to every scrap of data, making shorthand sketches of Moon-moth's hand signs to accompany the translation, observations on the Praetorians' implied if not outright stated internal hierarchy, napkin math estimates on the percentage of the ship's power output accounted for in the visible equipment of the hanger.

 

He gave a small jolt at Justicar Vor'an's question, remembering that he wasn't meant to be a purely passive observer. "Oh, ah. The engine core. Would - would be my recommendation?" he ventured, stepping out slightly to one side so that the Praetorians didn't have to fully turn around to face him. "It's the only major piece of engineering that couldn't feasibly be moved elsewhere in the floorpan or be replaced with a facade and would provide the most information toward ruling out potential deception?" Rex-01 straightened his back beyond even military attention, looking profoundly uncomfortable.

[Exaccus]

"an brilliant idea new friend, Rex of the first" moon-moth spoke up, resting a comforting if slightly inhuman hand upon his shoulders.

 

"If this is agreeing able to yourselves and the other party goers presenting here, I second this motion with my inertia."

Edited January 23 by Exaccus

[Tiffany Korta]

Traveller

Tucking the Power Spear into a comfortable position, from centuries of practice, she held up her arm and activated her wrist computer causing an image of the ship to flash into life.

 

“I agree the Engine Core is a good place to begin, and it means we can look into one of these rear turrets on the way!” she gestured to one of the rear-facing turrets.

 

It was a safe bet, in this circumstance they wouldn’t be active but it would show willingness on both sides to treat this seriously.

 

“I always say that an Engine Core tells a lot about how a ship operates, so let us go see this one in operation!”

[Thevshi]

GM

Ambassador Malor gave a smile as Rex-01 suggested the engine core, a request quickly supported by the Praetorians. "Of course Science Officer, Praetors, right this way." He gestured towards the exit from the hanger, before he and the Justicar led the way out into the hallway of the vessel.

 

As the group made their way towards the engine room, they passed a few members of the ship’s crew, going about some task or another. As suggested by Traveller, the stopped along the way to allow the inspection of a bank of rear facing turrets. As had been indicated on Rex-01's sensor sweeps, they were currently powered down. They were also currently unmanned.

 

Soon enough, they arrived at the engine room, making their way into the large chamber which housed the engine core. This section of the ship was far more active than the hanger had been, with a little over half a dozen crew members moving about the room, checking various readings and other routine tasks. Although it seemed quite active, to Rex-01 and Traveller, it was not particularly unusual, nor a sign that the ship was using excessive amounts of power.

 

As they entered, Justicar  Vor'an stood off to one side, while Ambassador Malor turned back to face the inspection team while gesturing to the room around them. "Please, feel free to examine whatever you wish." He then also stood off to one side to be out of the way of the Praetorians and Lor.

[Gizmo]

Rex-01 seemed a little startled by the strong positive response to his suggestion. The set of his narrow jaw took on a slightly more confident angle as he redoubled his focus on the job at hand, taking readings of each piece of equipment they passed and triple-corroborating the data to seek out any possible deception. Ultimately he found none, with energy output and consumption matching up with the Khanate party's claims; most notably the vessel's life support was only functioning enough for the barest of skeleton crews rather than the massive number of ground troops, fighter pilots and support staff such a ship would normally contain.

 

The scientist looked away from the terminal he had accessed to peer at Malor and Vor'an, his brow furrowed. Approaching unarmed in the interests of opening peaceful talks was one thing but this seemed almost... desperate by his calculations. Which wasn't at all the same thing as 'less dangerous' he mused while relaying his findings to the Praetorians without commentary.

[Ecalsneerg]

Galvanic

 

Chlo'zel listened intently as Rex-01 conveyed various pieces of data gleaned from his inspections. A lot of it didn't mean much to her, even more just seemed fairly par for the course, but... why was this ship so empty? This vessel could literally field armies, and yet they'd basically mothballed it and rolled it up to the Lor Republic. Even diplomatic talks usually had a few more guns playing around than this.

 

"Thanksgratitude," she said curtly to Rex-01, before turning to eye Justicar Vor'an warily. She didn't say anything but didn't much bother to hide her concern. Why was this ship so lightly armed? Inhaling slowly, she commented aloud, "They were honesttruthful about coming peacefully."

 

 

[Tiffany Korta]

The Traveller

If you wanted to get a feel of what was really going on you went to places like this, where the real work was done to keep things running. She was a fan of blending into kitchen staff and listening to the gossip, and bars had their own advantages. But her spiritual home was Engineering spaces like this one, most of which she had designed major systems you still saw around.

 

“Everything looks good here…” she looked up at the massive power core, knowing just what to say to get the Engineers attention

 

“But the resonance sounds out, I’d say about 0.1% or so…”

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Justicar Vor'an stood quietly off to one side as Rex01 competed his examination and reported his findings. The Justicar showed no outward reaction to the still somewhat suspicious look Galvanic gave him.

 

As Traveller made her comment about the core being slightly off, the Khanate chief engineer, who had seemed slightly unhappy about a Lor engineer examining the power core turned to look at the Praetorian, before giving a somewhat curt reply, "we are working on it."

 

Ambassador Malor was much more enthusiastic about hearing the results of the clone scientist’s findings. "Well, I hope that concerns have been put to rest?" He asked, stepping forward and clasping his hands in front of him. He then stopped and looked at the gathered Praetorians and Lor. "But of course, if there is more you wish to inspect, we are at your service."

[Exaccus]

Moon-Moth was not particularly well educated on technological marvels of the universe, the phenomena of energy and matter he was more so familiar with, the metal beast before him ran on shallow breaths and starvation, it was not capable of waging battle for its own survival least of all vainglorious conquest.

 

"Why now?" Moth muttered, his coherence in galstandard bolstered by the brevity of his statement "what has changed?"

[Ecalsneerg]

Galvanic

 

Chlo'zel took a couple of steps forward, looking between the two senior Khanate dignitaries. "Not a cynic, but..." She clicked her teeth and muttered under her breath in Tempestian, a sizzling super-quick staccato of clicks and hisses and chirps. "No soldiers, no fightercraft." For emphasis, she pointed at the ground in front of her, voice firm. "Ghost ship." 

 

Exhaling slowly, she turned to look at the other two Praetorians, unconvinced the Khanate were going to volunteer the information that was becoming fairly obvious to her. Galvanic wore a sober expression. "Ship doesn't matter. What matters is what they flee from." She turned back to Vor'an and Malor, crossing her arms over her chest, eyeing them with an expression of curiosity and compassion. "Do you need help?"

[Tiffany Korta]

The Traveller

Sitara had considered trying to bamboozle the Chief Engineer into examining the ship's systems, but it really wasn’t necessary it was already obvious that this wasn’t a ship ready to make war. And if it had been a trick it was such a big one that the Praetorians with thousand if not millions years of experience managed to miss.

 

Moving to the front of their little group she faced the Justicar, giving a friendly reassuring smile to their hosts.

 

“As my colleagues have already mentioned you obviously have a problem, and if possible we can help. So please tell us what’s going on and we’ll start from there!”

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Justicar Vor'an regarded Sitara impassively for a moment before he responded. "I am carrying out the instructions of my Khan." He simply stated, noticeably without the arrogance or bravado that was more typical of a Justicar.

 

Ambassador Malor stepped forward, bringing his palms together in front of him as he smiled slightly. "Honored Praetorians, I believe there has been something of a misperception as to the reasons of for the, admittedly, desperate appearing state of this vessel. I will concede that from a particular point of view, we are indeed seeking help. But, I believe Praetor Myothizar has asked the more pertinent questions. The answer should be awaiting our return to the hanger." With that, the ambassador gestured toward the exit from the reactor room and began to lead the small group of inspectors back to the hanger where their shuttle was waiting.

 

As they arrived, the ambassador stood off to one side and up ahead the Praetorians and Rex-01 saw a tall Zultasian, dressed in robes similar to those worn by Ambassador Malor. Although, in addition to the teal and navy-blue colors, the large eight-pointed starbursts of the Khanate were a bright white, and the robe was embroidered with golden accents. The figure turned, reveling the handsome face with grey-blue skin, high cheekbones and a flowing mane of white hair over tapered ears. At first, it was easy to mistake it for the face of Kinan Khan, only, he was far too young, and bore no sign of the injuries suffered at the hands of the Communion.

 

"Praetorians, honored representatives of the Lor Republic," began Ambassador Malor, "may I introduce Kinarr Khan, following the recent passing of his father, the new Star Khan, and ruler of the Stellar Khanate."

 

“Greetings mighty Praetorians, honored representatives of the Republic. I trust the inspection has satisfied any concerns that this ship bears any ill will towards any on CoVic Station?” Stated Kinnar Kahn. "If so, I trust that I will be given leave to appear before the Coalition Council."

[Ecalsneerg]

Galvanic

 

Galvanic stopped short as the son of the Star Khan turned, the spit of his father. The father she'd brought down with fairly substantial force; albeit perhaps for his own good, the amount of Communion circuitry that had been wrought through him. Her eyes darted from him to the Praetorians and back again. The ruler of the Khanate, asking to speak to the Coalition Council? This was far from expected.

 

"Condolences on your father." Chlo'zel spoke curtly and politely, even though she'd borne no love for Kinarr's father. "See no reasonevidence to doubt you come in peace." She turned to the delegation, some part of her hoping that they'd find that reason, despite the likelihood that what they had to say would be necessary to hear out.

[Tiffany Korta]

The Traveller

Sitara was enough of a diplomat to nod her head in respect, despite her troubles with the Khanate he was still here making an overture of peace.

 

“With your permission, I’d like to escort you all to the Praetorian compound before making arrangements to talk to the council.”

 

As she spoke she was quickly working out the best approaches to get them there safely, potential trouble spots and everything she’d learned from many centuries of similar tasks.

 

“Whilst you’ve gone to a lot of effort to prove your intentions to us, not everyone is going to see it the same way. Trust me you’ll be perfectly safe under our protection.”

[Exaccus]

"pleasurable meetings of your acquaintance" moon-moth stated, his mind ablaze with scenarios that would bring the blood heir to the khanate to CoVic Station so suddenly following his sire's passing, if indeed he was gone, deaths grip was not so absolute on mortals as it had been during the time of the ancient empires.

 

he seemed to be in good health and held enough favor and authority to secure himself the use of a ship, proving he was no disowned or abandoned son of the khan, minimally armed and crewed though it might be a cruiser of this magnitude was not something one could hope to purchase nor sustain without significant backing, perhaps there was a succession crisis or a Coup 'd'état, it was unlikely the khan would limit himself to a single heir given his expectations of them as warlord after all, a few would inevitably fall.

 

Gathering the Coalitions recognition and assistance would go a long way to legitimizing himself as ruler and smooth over relationships with their galactic neighbors as a newer friendlier ruler took the reigns, at least until the situation stabilized.

 

"Myothizars thoughts are yours during this hard times of your house."