Tonight as in right now, Cleveland time.... duh
Bow down or I'll pwn you- Kaiser Klaus IX von Navarrien Dukas
January 1, 2226
Earth-orbit, over Africa
KBRS Germania-Major, Colonial Transport
Log:
Take off was smooth, launched at full capacity of 500,000,000 people, mainly Krimeans and Russians. Made contact with KBRS Erd before igniting hyper-drive. Destination is the Mars Terraforming base on the Utopian Plain. Our sister ship. KBRS Formosa will be ready for launch very soon. This sets a new standard in human migration, and the start of a multi-planet system. The KBRS Erd left to explore the galactic north, she is searching for planets that could sustain life so more colonies could be created. I have the ship on autopilot, should be a short ride, probably only two weeks. I expect little or no trouble from the ship. Will report again upon arrival or upon trouble.
Captain Eugenes von Norfolk, 2nd Class
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January 1, 2226
Imperial Palace, Konstantinopolis
Kaiser Klaus IX Dukas was in the Imperial Palace, an enourmous structure that filled all of the original walls of Konstantinopolis. His head hurt from plain boredom. There was very little to do for the first time in many years. The introduction of hyper-drive allowed his reach to expand beyond the near-by planets and asteroids. This was the thing his anncestors had been searching for since Earth fell entirely under their grasp. A way to expand, expand beyond the horizon and rule all of existance. He shivered at the though of the xenos that floated throughout the cosmic existance. This trend of xenophobia was new to the Empire, and only started with rumors of life beyond Terra Byzantien. The biggest fear was that of a hybrid race, half human and half whatever else was out there. It horrified them, and the though of a more advanced race, one that could squash the human race benieth its might, made mainy weary of anything that wasn't human. Something had to be done, but they had nothing to fight, the Byzantine existance in space was still entirely peaceful and scientific. But the Kaiser had other things to worry about, a large democratic organization had formed in Neuitalien (Argentina), and they were beginning to demand rights reserved only for the Kaiser and his elite. At the age of 37, Kaiser Klaus IX was still quite young, especially when the average man lived to be 120, and the elite could expect to approach 180.
There was a knock on his door, he turned around on his chair and pushed a button opening the two 19,000-pound doors. It was his daughter, Julia. She ran across the room to her father and jumped on him. Klaus was not happy to have his 16 year old daughter do such things, especially after his hernia. He moaned slightly, and contorted under her.
"Yes?" he sighed.
"When are we leaving?"
"Leaving for what, Schatzi?"
"Leaving this palace, this city?"
"I don't know, I am quite happy not being shot at."
"There is a whole world out there, and all I have seen is this city, I hate this city."
"What about Messina? We went to Messina... and Köln... and what about the month we spent in Paris... and then there was Venice! WHat do you mean we spend too much time in Konstantinopolis?"
"I want to see Amerika."
"There isn't much there, dear. The whole western hemisphere is very industrial."
"What about all those islands, like Neugriecheland (All the carribean islands)?"
"They are small, rebellious and industrial. Like I said, we go to select places because the are safe and clean. Now, do you have something real to talk about?"
"Nei, that was all."
"Good, now it is time for you to get to bed; it is almost 2 in the morning."
"Why are you up so late?"
"I have country to run. Now to bed." Julia left, and Klaus wondered why he was still awake, this insomnia had to stop. His wife was dead and there was no bringing her back. He had no son, no one to take the throne once he was dead. He shook the thoughts out of his head, and went down stairs to the kitchen. All the cooks had left for the night, and rightly so. Klaus dug around in the coolers and pantries hoping for something to eat. In the far back of the chief's break room was a can of soup, and that was all. Klaus sighed. Nothing. Digging around some more he found todays left overs, warmed them up and stuck them between two halves of a bagel. It was the first meal he had made for himself in five years. Taking his sandwich, he went outside on a balcony and looked up into the night sky. The mon was full and he knew that out there somewhere were planets that cried to him. He needed to sleep, tomorrow was a royal party. His search for a bride continued, and he hated it.
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May 22, 2226
Simulated time: 1300
Orbiting Starbruck II, scan for life
KBRS Erd
Letter from Oberleutenant Georg Turmov to Großadmiral Marcus de'Nantes
Großadmiral,
We have made the greatest discovery of all time! After searching the Starbruck system for habital planets (two of which are capable of supporting life), we picked up a signal from behind one of the planets. Expecting it to be nothing more than a solar flare, we ignored it until one of the communications officers noticed that it was being beamed out in a system much like binary. Though we were unable to decypher the encryption, we did indentify it was being a legiable langauge! So, had the life scan stopped (the planet hardly had an atmosphere) and had the ship sent into an orbit around one of the planets capable of supporting life. There we were able to identify an alien space craft orbiting around the same planet. Using the universal communicators, we were able to speak with the captain of the alien craft. They were a race called the "Arceans," who had an Empire much like our own orbiting a near-by star (MG7-351 "Tartarus"). They agreed to leave the area, based on the fact that we had staked claims eariler then they did. We thanked them for such gracious actions, and continued conversation in a non-diplomatic manner. These peoples are an advanced and civilized group, worthy of respect and attention from our people and government. I am asking for permission to follow the said craft back to their home planet to continue research and mapping. I await your orders.
Hail Kaiser!
ObLt Turmov, KBRS Erd
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August 9, 2226
Simulated time: 0100
Deepspace
Scout-001
Report from Ensign Chu Mai to Terra Central Command
Report:
After taking my craft into the galactic west, I have found several things worth noting.
First: I have located and scanned a planet capable of harbouring life. This planet is inhabited with a lesser-life form. The are a reptilian based race, divided into multiple nationstates, around 290. They have a matriarical society based in a feual system. They are far less advanced then us, using technology characteristic of the Iron age. Their destruction shall not present a problem to colonists.
Secondly: I have found a resource floating in deep space, after a few quick scans, I have figured that this material could be very important to military upgrades and I request that a mining platform be built aroudn the asteroids to gather the material.
Lastly, and most importantly: I have made contact with with a highly inteligent life form, know as the Iconian Empire. These peoples have fled a great distance after loosing their homeworld to a robotic race of their own creation. These people say that they are in a technological resession, after losing serval scout ships hundreds of years ago. The migration of their entire race meant a severe loss of technology, and they are at a similar level as us, even though they claim to have been far more advanced in centuries past. I am forced to agree with them, after reading report Rj7-902 of the "Caucus Moutain Insident." These aliens have a strong resemblence to the aliens found at the crash site there, any differences could easily be injury from the crash. I have not mentioned the innsident to them, and have been asked to remain outside of their realm until I can be granted permission to enter. Should I bring the innsident up in secret, and if so, should the bodies be returned to the Iconians?
-End Communiaction-
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December 31, 2226
First meeting of the United Planets
Present:
Iconian Refuge - 12% (of votes)
Arcean Empire - 18%
Byzantine Empire - 60%
The Byzantine delegate voted to increase the minimum speed of constructors to 5 parsecs a week, UP forced to agree
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August 9, 2227
Imperial Palace, Konstantinopolis
Kaiser Klaus IX Dukas paced around in his office, yet another Xeno race had come to speak with him. He was growing tired of finding that this galaxy was shared with so many other races. The mess that followed when the Iconians learned one of their pilots had been autopsied was a horrible strain on relations with this alien race, but one that was fading. Up next was the Drath Legion, a reptilian race. From the northern plain. There was a knock at the door, and Laus knew it was time to act like he cared about these other races. Quickly turning, he had the doors opened, and what he was not to his liking. The Ambassabor from the Drath Legion was a 9 foot tall lizard, with an unintelligent look on his face. He was flanked by two guards, who were armed with large laser-spears. Klaus took a step back, and then asked for the guards to be left otuside the door. The Ambassador agreed to it, and the two guards left to the door.
"How can I help you?" Klaus asked.
"Leader of the Byzantine race, which is so many in number and appearences, we come bearing a warning, a warning that is do not venture beyond the realms of the Drath Legions, for when our ships enter that area, they never return. There is a vicous race beyond there, one that will not stop and think before tearing everything to shreds. I have seen their ships moving around, but their ships are not metal like ours, they are living. Promise me, that you will not anger these beasts."
"I wasn't planning on moving northwar anways, I had discussed with my leaders on researving that region for your people, and your expansion."
"We thank you for planning ahead... and beware what you find beyond this small little group.
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September 22, 2227
Imperial Palace, Konstantinopolis
Klaus IX was out on the lawn of his palace, next to him was an ambassador from the Iconian Refuge. The Iconians had gotten over the fact that their pilot had been used for research, and admitted they probably would have done the same thing. The Byzantine Empire was starting to become quite large, with her colony ships flying out in every direction to expand the Empire. They were talking about the warning that the Drath Legion had given them, when the warning presented itself. Julia ran down to her father and said quickly,
"Father, an alien ship has landed, and it asked to be able to speak with you!"
Klaus looked at the Iconian, who nodded in a sign that he too was interested. "Have them come over here."
"I don't want to go back, they are hideous!" Klaus sighed and called a servant to get the unexpect guests. It was unneeded, over the wall scrambled a large insect-like creature, he crawled toward the group with lightning speed over serval pairs of legs. Stitch marks along his head showed that he had been freed from the hive mind and he spoke clearly, or as clearly as a bug can.
"I come bearing tidings of the Thalan Empire. The great Mother extenders her welcomes to the human race and her allies." Something in Klaus' head screamed to not respond, and to kill the insect, but he didn't.
"I accept your Mother's welcomes and extend my own." The Thalan eyed the Iconian uneasily, unknown to all, the Iconians had fought a war with an off-shoot of the Thalan Hive many centuries ago... and the image of the other had been engrained into the psyche of the other as "bad." The Thalan bowed and scrambled back to his ship. Klaus looked at the Iconian who watched as th bug scrambled over the wall and disapeared.
"They need to be exterminated," The Iconian said.
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December 31, 2229
Third Meeting of the United Planets
Present:
Iconian Refuge- 7%
Acrean Empire- 7%
Torian Confederation- 6%
Drengin Empire- 10%
Korx- 5%
Thalan Hive- 45%
Byzantine Empire 21%
All parties, excet for the Thalan Representative, vote to force Thalan hive to pay 3% of its income to the other nations as reparations for their recent war against minor races, represented by the Byzantine Empire.
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March 22, 2230
Arcea, Homeworld of the Arcean Empire
Representatives of the Iconians, the Yor, the Arceans, the Torians, the Korx and the Byzantines gathered to discuss the surrender of the Drenging Empire to the Thalans. The Drenging planets had been consumed by the horrid hive and the last survivers had come to the Arceans seeking refuge. The allied nations turned to the Byzantines for protection, but the Kaiser sent his delegate with orders that the Byzantines would only supply money and technology to the allies to aid in the defense of their nations. The problem was a that the Byzantines were actualy making money off the Thalans, who conducted a large amount of trade with the Byzantines. Even so, the Byzantine delegate agreed that something must be done with the the Thalan Hive.
The delagte revealed that the Byzantines were building a massive class of ships, called the Krieg Class, the first ship, the KBRS Sieg, was due to launch in one month. She was larger and more powerful then any Thalan ship, and could be produced quickly for a great price. Unfortunetally, none of the other races had the funds to pay for such large endevour. Many were fearful of the Byzantine plan to build even larger ships and build large quanties of medium and large-sized ships. The technology gap was ever increasing. Byzantium had entire worlds dedicated to research, planets like Mars and Starbruck III. There wondes of the universe were designed and new weapons thought up that could end the lives of billions of people for relatively little or no down payment. But to the Iconians and Korx, Byzantium was their savior, defending them from the Thalan onslaught. To the minor races, Byzantium was a trade partner and made up a large portion of their economy. Kaiser Klaus IX knew that before he could wage war with his enemies, he must make himself indisposable to his allies.
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April 22, 2230
Earth-orbit, over Thrace
KBRS Sieg, Krieg Class Battleship
Commander: Großadmiral Otto Dukas (distant cousin of Klaus)
The Großadmiral walked the decks of his ship. It was huge, and had to equipt with moving walk ways to speed up movement within her hull. The commander's deck was high above the ship itself, on a huge bridge looking down on her aray of weapons. The admiral slowly walked around as his men loaded the ship to leave for the northern plain. There they woudl conduct weapons tests and begin to prowl around for pirates and other threats to Byzantium. Ina few days they'd leave, probably never to see Earth again. Instead they'd hop from one allied planet to the next. He knew that this ship was the first step to a serious build up for a war against the Thalan Hive, it was the only way history could go. Recently the Hive had begun an invasion of the Torian Confederation and the Yor Collective. Niether nation stood much of a chance, they were weak nations with a very limited fleet. They'd be conquered before Byzantium could come to the rescue, but their planets would have to be retaken just like the Dregnin homeworlds, which were prime targets of Byzantine expansion.
The clock started to count down, war was soon... and it would not be pretty.
The Empire running smoothly, as of the launching of the KBRS Sieg
The KBRS Sieg, designed to kill things efficently, in lay-mens terms; over-kill