|
Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on Jul 27, 2010 8:58:09 GMT 1
"As Conclave Head I hear by call this session to order." Lady Anna Han gently rapped the gavel down, and the chatter in the room fell silent. A crowd of diplomats before a true Great House ruler. It is my half-term session, and you all know I'd rather not be here.
Polite chuckles filled the room. Every House Lord and Lady elected as Conclave Head complained about their ceremonial duties. And every House Head fought tooth and claw to be on top come the end of each term. On the agenda today, House O'Terra has requested that House Basudan, lacking substantial territory be stripped of its title as Great House. The Basudan representative was standing, but already the gavel banged down. Sit, good sir, you know the rules. Your House has lived and died by it for centuries past. Sit. House O'Terra has signatures of intent good enough for quorum. Each House may speak as they cast their vote but there will be no debate on this today. 23 stood in quick succession, the Great Houses and their branches and vassals, the Miner's, and a few of the Minors. More were to come, and though there were 50 votes to be made but few thought it enough to save Basudan.
This quick evisceration of an old House, old as the Humanity Wars, was no doubt aided by other events in the Network. To the teeming masses House Basudan was already dead, vanquished in this year's blockbuster hit named, by some Enemy of Humanity, Starcrossed. Starring Liam McGregor (a stage name no doubt) as Conri O'Terra and Athena Jones (likewise a stage name) as his tragic Ariadne, it was a 'truly groundbreaking stimsim experience.' Just like every other Tessier stimsim in the last, oh, millennia or so.
Much to the chagrin of the Golden City, the premier has System Tessiera packed to the gills with revelers, just as a sizable Cirig fleet, fresh from privateering and trading alike, arrives to complete the cycle of wealth as is right and proper. (Which is to say, it lands largely in the... hands of ladies of negotiable affection.)
Out on the edge of the Network the Clamin and the IESC quietly and diligently work to overturn the landed nobility while the Water was seen flitting through Umberto space on a routine inspection. In Ashera Corporation headquarters another memo flys up through the ranks. The conclusion of the in depth study: Pandora Corp and tariffs remain their greatest barriers to total domination.
By and large the Houses sit and wait. They have seen this all before, and they intend to see it again, come the time.
(I'll get into Conclave Head elections later. It won't be an issue for a few more turns just yet. Also also soon: a map!)
|
|
|
TW:5125
Jul 27, 2010 15:52:43 GMT 1
Post by greystone on Jul 27, 2010 15:52:43 GMT 1
The Conclave
Observer Garrus Taln tapped his fingers on the balcony's railing. The balcony overlooked the Conclave's meeting chamber, and as usual he was bored out of his mind. When President Collins had assigned him this post he had been excited- finally he could see how the governing body of humanity worked.
He hadn't realized that 90% of the meetings devolved into tedious votes and barely concealed insults. The news about House Basudan was hardly a surprise, and the vote was even less original. He sighed, and tried his best to listen. His job was to listen, and if necassary, comment on critical issues of importance to the IESC. Unlikely as that sounded, he had a job to do. As he listened he tapped out a small memo to the Board about Basudan...
Newfoundland, Chiron I, Board of Directors Quarters
"Here we go sir" Harvey Grey, the Director of Communications spoke up with his faintly Irish brogue "We have a communique from Obsever Taln"
"Yes? Give it here" President Michael Collins said, wondering as always at the persistence of such old Earth accents. He took the datapad and glanced over it "The Conclave is attempting to strip House Barusan of their Great House Status... and it looks like it is going to pass"
"Well, that is no great surprise" Secretary Austin Reynolds of Internal Affair commented off-handedly "The only surprise is that is took this long"
"Indeed" Secretary Miranda Thames said with cold amusement "I forsee a slight decrease in profits this quarter as the Great Houses squabble over House Barusans Systems"
"Alright, is there anything else?" Michael asked.
"Nothing to report medically sir" The Secretary of Health, Lei Hun, remarked "Besides a slight crew Infestation on the Esmerelda- which is being well taken care of"
"Well, if there is nothing else-" He was cut off as a beeping sound filled the room. Secretary Grey looked at his communications device and whistled "What is it Grey?"
The Communications Secretary looked up and grinned "It's from First Team. It simply reads 'We found it'"
The room went quiet, and the President leaned back in his chair "Well... its about time"
|
|
|
TW:5125
Jul 27, 2010 18:30:24 GMT 1
Post by daelrog on Jul 27, 2010 18:30:24 GMT 1
House MornThe ConclaveWist Morn, Matriarch of House Morn, sat in her seat unmoving. TO the chagrin of many, she finally moved her head, showing that she had not suffered an early death. Two servants fanned her as she loomed above the vassal houses of Morn whose names she chose not to remember. It would have been akin to actually naming a slave. House Basuden was pathetic, emphasis on was. Such a matter was beneath her save that no resource was to be squandered, even information. She turned to one of her servants, her mask hiding giving her voice a slight mechanical tint to it. "Inform the Glorious House of Basuden's downfall." She turned to another. "Send House O'Terra my congratulations on their victory today." To the last servant... only one more servant at her hand? With so much to do it was a crime to leave her empty-handed. "I wish to have a word with the Lady Han if it pleases her. Return quickly." Aboard Pandora (Flavor Text) Patriarch Gallidan Morn sat upon a throne of iron, their greatest vicotires carved onto its front and sides. Three of the seven Blessed knelt at his feet, a glorious sight to see! For what other House could offer the same exquisite talent as these, these three who came to honor his 130th birthday. "My children, it pleases me greatly to see three of you here. If only the other four Blessed could have been among us, but they have other duties to attend. What have you brought me in the twilight of my life, what gifts do you present to this old man." These were not truly his children, for the Patriarch had none alive today. Each had fallen to rivals long, long ago. To call them his children was a matter of honor, to be called the child of your Patriarch was to have his favor. Today was another great test, to see what the greatest of House Morn could offer. Blessed Son Banchar was the first to rise to his feet. Over nienty, he was by far the oldest of the seven Blessed, the commanders of Morn. This man had seen coutnless economies flourish and ravaged by the drug trade that was still denied by Morn, for who could prove their involvement, and have the strength to say so? Banchar was not wearing a tradional demon mask like the others, choosing instead to show his wrinkled face. "I bring you 'Silver' my lord, the newest commodity the Spice and Antiques Department offers. Far mroe mild than some of our other products, it has no long lasting damage, so long as one does not breath in all day." Banchar's rasping laugh faded quickly. "It relieves strees upon first inhale. Upon the second, there is a slight tickling sensation. By the third, you flaoting in the heavens." "Thank you Banchar, this gift pleases me. As ever, our Spice and Antiques Department has preovn itslef." The second of the Blessed Sons stepped up, Asch. He was young for hisp position, turned 28 the past month, the youngest to reach so high in several generation. His mask was a coiling serpent that stretched at odd angles. It was much like the room they spoke in, a room who lighting gave off the feeling that they were all on a slanted slope. "I bring to you a new breed of hunting dog my father." He bowed low before he pulled out a small device and with a click, an image filled the room. "I have named them Muriad Stalkers, named after the planet they were bred at. As you can see, their ten-feet in body, an additional two in tail. By training them in the swamplands, they have become accustomed to hunting prey even amongst an incountable number of other odors. No man without an assautl rifle can fell one, and even then the odds are still in the Stalker's favor." "Has this been tested Asch?" "Thoroughly." The Patriarch thought on this for a moment. "This gift may prove useful. My approval will wait upon this." He turned his head to the last at his feet. "Blessed Daughter Chezia, what have you brought me?" "Nothing but wisdom Patrirach." Behind the tusked, fiery demon mask he wore, Gallidan smiled. "Continue." "Secure our allies immediately. The fall of House Basudan will make the other houses arrogant. Many will fight for what was Basudan, and others will use the confusion for their own ends, ourselves included. In order to prevent hungry eyes upon our own throats, we must prove ourselves once more." Banchar balked at this. "Prove ourselves? Do you think we are seen with some ill contempt?" "Yes, I do. They look upon us as we look upon them." Gallidan nodded. "I see. I will consult with Fel on this matter then. Your gift of wisdom is appreciated Blessed Daughter." GM ONLY Later that evening, the Patriarch sat in his tub, alone. Guards were outside the only door to the room, but none were to enter. From the corner of the room, the Spymaster of House Morn stepped forward into clear view, covered in black. Fel's voice was not his own, but a machine's as he put the device to hsi throat. "Greeting Patriarch."
In House Morn, not even the Patriarch could see Fel, the honorary name and title and the head of the Liche Company. That was the trust put upon these ghosts.
"Blessed Daughter Chezia says that we must be strong in these times, less others see us as prey. What say you?"
"Blessed Daughter Chezia is wise beyond her years Patriarch. The death of one House, even it it was slow and expected, heralds calamity."
The Patriarch nodded his head. Before either could speak, a small device by Gallidan stirred and its lights came on. He picked it up and read the message, revealing it to Fel. Two names were crossed out on it. "It's like she knew I was speaking with you."
Fel read the names and nodded his head. "I know of these two. Your will be done." As tradition, the balck clad figure knelt low, imitating a kiss behind his plain, balck mask that did not even show eyes.
Here's the plan. Accoding to his description, Vincent Marsalis is into narcotics. Although it is too much of a stretch to say he gets it from Morn, Morn has its hands into enough of the narcotics trade to know how to find his source. Through that channel, the assassins will poison his stash. The back up plan will be to track down his normal dealer, follow him or her, and to snipe him from afar when they meet.
For Connor, this one will be a lot more tradional. As he is the main figure for the Corporation, finding him should not prove difficult. A pair of assassin will arrive under the guise of disatisfied members of a obscure trading guild. Proper channels will be used to make sure their appearances and history match whatever guild they use. Assuming they won't be able to sneak in any weapons, the two assassins will also be chosen for being deadly in unnarmed conflict. They are to break his neck, and then if they cannot escape, kill themselves.
|
|
thefalcon
Squad Officer
Corrupt Corporate Executive in the Warzone
Posts: 51
|
TW:5125
Jul 27, 2010 20:26:59 GMT 1
Post by thefalcon on Jul 27, 2010 20:26:59 GMT 1
The Conclave
"Ah, how the mighty have fallen."
The members of the Aurean block watched with both a touch of pity and mild amusement as House Basudan's representatives started shouting and protesting, to no avail.
"Ha. Lot of good it'll do them."
You could usually tell who represented what House in the Conclave by subtle cues. Things like familial traits, accents, or the style of clothing.
There was nothing subtle about Aurea's representatives.
They were dressed in traditional Aurean Imperial garb; archaic, black, and flowing, all overlaid with gold and precious gems, and on their heads were tall, pointed hats. They did their best to at all times look either grave, mysterious, wise, or arrogant and aloof. They mostly just managed the arrogant part.
The leader of the group, a short, portly, kindly-looking fellow spoke. He was Basil Heroklos, Foreign Minister and Chief Representative of Aurea.
"Archanos, do inform the Prime Minister what has transpired here.
Aurea City, Demoran System, Flavor Text
Aurea was the largest city in the Network. It was home to untold numbers of people, the last and lonely bastion of a once-great empire. Still, its glory had not entirely faded. Aurea was still a hub of commerce and culture, first in the former and second in the latter only to Babylon itself. But Aurea had another claim to fame. It was the largest city in the Network, and it was constructed entirely in space. Untold numbers of individual space stations were its buildings, and its hungry masses were fed by untold numers agri-platforms. And this great center was powered by untold millions of solar panels, granting Aurea its moniker: The Golden City.
Presiding over this vast machine was Emperor Leonus XIV. Well, actually not. You see, Leonus was ten years old, having come to the throne only a few weeks ago due to the ill-timed (and, of course, mysterious) deaths of his parents. And by Aurean law, when a monarch is too young to rule, his duties and powers are given to a body known as the Regency Council, which rules in the monarch's stead until he is of age.
Traditionally, the Regency Council was composed of three individuals: the Prime Minister of Aurea, the Grand Admiral of Aurea's vast Golden Fleet, and the Commandant of the Blackcoats, Aurea's spies and secret police. But in the case of these particular three, it was the Prime Minister who was undoubtedly in charge.
The Prime Minister's name was Abraxas (just "Abraxas", thank you very much). He was thin, wiry, with black hair and inscrutable black eyes. Due to events that transpired only a few weeks ago, he was now the most powerful man in Aurea. And so, as the now-most-powerful man in Aurea, he sat in his office, looking through a report. It was a list of names: anti-monarchists, dissidents, and those who had publicly spoken against the government. The Triumphal Guard had gotten soft over the years, and it was time to fix that.
"Send in the Commandant."
Almost immediately, his office door opened and in stepped Commandant Elene. She was a lovely creature, with the traits of a classical Aurean beauty: golden hair, and the golden eyes of Aurean nobility. Not the sort one would tag as Commandant of the Blackcoats. But then, that was the point.
"Watch these names. The typical surveillance: watch the residences, tap communications, have them followed. And make sure they know you're watching."
"Of course, Prime Minister." The Commandant took the list, bowed, and left the room.
Alone in his office, Prime Minister Abraxas grimaced. If he were to restore Aurea to its old glory, there would be no room for such petty things as "dissent".
|
|
|
Post by Surly on Jul 28, 2010 3:04:53 GMT 1
Cirig
The Conclave
Boroslav Khan shouts "To the glory of House O'Terra!" and swigs from an ornate goblet as the final votes come in. Boyan Akilina Sarangerel, sitting at his right hand, opens her mouth to admonish him - but thinks better of it. Annoying the last few allies of Basudan wasn't a grave loss, and it wasn't a good time to argue with the Khan. He'd woken up barely an hour ago with a new fighter from House Varulf, two more wives, and too much alcohol in his system to feel hungover. In retrospect, convincing him to change out of his bathrobe before the Conclave meeting was a fairly major victory.
Akilina nudges the Khan. "Great One, I'm going to go speak with the IESC representative. Do you have any orders?"
Boroslav muses for a moment, his head nodding idly. "Yes. I want to meet with House O'Terra to discuss fighter tactics. The best should learn from the best. Start referring to our men here as the Conclave Defense Fleet, and order them to keep at least eighty fighters and two frigates with sober pilots by the Conclave at all times. Give that Varulf fighter I bought to my son Gansukh, his birthday is soon."
Boroslav glances towards the pair of blandly attractive Tesseirans he married in an all-too-legally-binding ceremony the previous night. "And I have been too neglectful of Gansukh's mother. Send these two upstairs and tell her that they are to obey her as myself. She could use more maids."
The Tesseirans grimace. Akilina bows, turns, glares at a trio of aides-de-camp who have not yet begun executing the Khan's orders, and strides off to find Garrus Taln, repressing a smile.
Aboard the Circling Raven (flavor text)
Theft paid well. Fighting paid better. Black ops paid best, but was just the other two with a fancy name. Well, a fancy name and more time spent waiting around for orders, but every time decryption finished and the objective, compensation, and sender scrolled down the screen, you knew it was worth the wait. Today, for example, a Great House, "Everything you take plus twelve thousand," and the Khan flash on the screen. The man reading the message grins, waves a comrade over, and begins pulling on his flight suit. It was going to be a good day.
|
|
|
Post by greystone on Jul 28, 2010 4:45:00 GMT 1
The Conclave
Garrus looked up from the paper he was reading as Janus Mett, his assigned aide, hurried in. The aide stopped, and took a breath "The Lady Akilina of the Cirig wishes to speak with you sir"
Garrus's eyebrows shot up, before he gestured back to the door "What are you waiting for? Show her in."
|
|
|
Post by Surly on Jul 29, 2010 1:52:36 GMT 1
The Conclave
Akilina steps in and bows slightly to Garrus. "Pleased to meet you, Observer. I'd like to discuss a few things with you, starting with a potential information-sharing deal with your Coalition. We'd like to set up a system to share new discoveries with each other."
|
|
|
Post by greystone on Jul 29, 2010 4:37:45 GMT 1
The Conclave
Garrus hastly stands, giving a slightly awkward bow, and stammering slightly " That sounds... interesting milady" he looked around quickly "I'm sorry, would you like to take a seat" He gestured to one of the black leather chairs overlooking the Conclave.
|
|
|
TW:5125
Jul 29, 2010 23:44:46 GMT 1
Post by Surly on Jul 29, 2010 23:44:46 GMT 1
The Conclave
Akilina replies "I would, thank you" and drops into the chair. "Now, as you know Cirig has a long-standing interest in wandering and exploration. We'd like to couple our efforts with yours."
|
|
|
Post by dargon on Jul 30, 2010 2:14:58 GMT 1
The three Ark Captians met in a rare meeting to figure out policy. After dealing with the mundane stuff they settled into some more dangerous talks.
"I think I've figured out a way to increase automation without bringing down the wrath of the Guardians."
"Really? But in we still need a way to keep the research secret. Any luck on finding a suitable location?"
"No, Its like searching for a needle in a haystack one piece of straw at a time randomly and replacing the straw after picking it up. What we really need is a way to control the destination of a new node instead of this random jumping we have now."
"Well perhaps we can get the IESC to help us with research."
"I don't like it but they could also keep it a secert as well."
All of the captians returned to their respective ships before sending a message to the IESC to ask for a meeting. Meanwhile the latest wave of immigrants brought news of the Conclave's decision to the people. Their were many opinons amoung the people but there was always the prevailing attitude that what the Conclave did was of little importance to the Clamin.
|
|
|
Post by greystone on Jul 30, 2010 3:11:46 GMT 1
Conclave
"I see... I do wish to point out before our negotiations continue that ah" he pauses "That the IESC must remain neutral to the universe at large. I'm sure that we would greatly help each other- just as long as the relationship is strictly buisness..." he ended his sentence after a pause with what seemed like an embaressed silence.
Clamin
The Clamin receive a message back fairly quickly, it inquires where the meeting will be held or if it will be a video conference. Also, what the general meaning of the meeting will be (Economy, Exploration, Technology, buisness, excetra) so the proper administrative entity can speak for their area of expertise.
The message is signed Secretary of Communications Harvey Grey.
|
|
Murska
Officer
But I thought we were friends...
Posts: 155
|
TW:5125
Jul 30, 2010 11:51:10 GMT 1
Post by Murska on Jul 30, 2010 11:51:10 GMT 1
The Conclave
The Varulf representatives, after voting, sit quietly, whispering to each other a little but otherwise making no move.
After a moment, one of them does stand up. The head diplomat of Varulf, Liathin(Actually Liathinella, but calling her that would be an intentional insult, everyone knowing how much she hates the name.), dressed in simple but beautiful and fashionable clothing according to the tradition of the Varulfs, makes her way to the Aurean representative.
After a moment of small-talk and etiquette, she gets the message across: "We will need to discuss the details of what Varulf shall do in assistance, in private."
Meanwhile another of the Varulfs, a less important diplomat, has reached the IESC. "The Varulf wishes you to know that they require your presence in an extremely private meeting about something you already know of." There's a slight hint of displeasure in the diplomat's voice for not knowing the reason himself.
|
|
|
TW:5125
Jul 30, 2010 18:30:05 GMT 1
Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on Jul 30, 2010 18:30:05 GMT 1
(Houses, I need you to actually stand up and declare 'House Whatever votes for...')
|
|
|
TW:5125
Jul 30, 2010 23:28:38 GMT 1
Post by dargon on Jul 30, 2010 23:28:38 GMT 1
To the IESC,
The meeting will be held aboard the ark Green. It will involve exploration, technology, and research.
|
|
|
Post by greystone on Jul 31, 2010 0:48:40 GMT 1
Clamin
We will send a representative. (You may start the RP at will)
Conclave- House Varulf
An aide greets the diplomat and smiles disarmingly. She is a young woman in a dark blue uniform. She checks a notepad before looking up "I'm sorry sir, but Observer Taln is currently engaged" she taps a few commands before looking back up "But if you would like a video conference with the Board we have a secure room"
|
|