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【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 2: Return of the Crystal Guardians

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【VAF】Chapter║: 57 ─ Consultations

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Day: 4 【Earth date 20-05-2611】

With the Galactic Alliance in danger of Collapse the Older Civilisations turn to Crystalorb for help; for the Crystalorb Commonwealth is the only Major Power that could make the first move. The Older Civilisations understood that Crystalorb had the technology and the numbers to bring order to the Galaxy, and so they hastily sent representatives to Crystalorb for crucial negotiations with the Crystalorb Council of Elders, the Guardian Council and the Knowledge Council.

In attendance: Ambassador Vinach the Andronian Federation Ambassador to the Galactic Alliance, Ambassador Crimola the Carmak Republic Ambassador to the Galactic Alliance, Ambassador Tamil the O'con Federation Ambassador to the Crystalorb Commonwealth, Ambassador Novlig the Entig Republic Ambassador to the Crystalorb Commonwealth. Lord Bital and Leader Remin on Secure Communications Link.

Military attendance: General Holnari of the Andronian Federation, General Onlec of the Folong Empire, Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation and Sky-Chief Nareb of the Carmak Republic, High Commander Senalo of the Hildrano Enclave, Commander Elrig of the Entig Republic and Sky-Commander Khilag of the O'con Federation.

Speaking for the Crystalorb Council of Elders is Elder Utel Lesedi, Elder Aten Lesedi and Elder Deov Kanu. Speaking for the Guardian Council is Guardian Commander Arog, Deputy Guardian Commander Isan and Guardian Aurora. Speaking for the Knowledge Council is Knora Hilan and Knora Naole.

Once all greetings and opening addresses are completed they all begin to speak freely but always keenly aware that the Crystalorb Elite is observing the discussions.

Amb-Vinach: “ So as you can Imagine the situation is quickly spinning out of control.”

Eld-Utel: “ I can Appreciate your predicament, but you’re asking us to die for those who did not shed a tear for us; not to mention a drop of blood!”

Hilan : “ These people you want us to save are of no value to Crystalorb, and if they will only be of actual value in ten to twenty thousand years then fighting for their survival is an erroneous waist of resources!”

Amb-Crimola : " Surely you must recognise that none of the Major Powers can survive without the assistance of the Older Civilisations. The Azlecks came to the aide of the Human Civilisation at a crucial point, and thereby allowed the rise of Crystalorb; something that could not have happened without a selfless act from the Azlecks."

Naole : “ We are not unaware of our Debt to the Azlecks! This is why we built 4 SkyGarrisons for them at great expense to Crystalorb. An investment that proved its value and eventually saved the Azlecks.”

Admr-Quanite: " The point being made here is that every Civilisation the Migon destroys kills with it the potential for the emergence of another Crystalorb."

Eld-Deov : “ You think we don’t know that? Admiral; we are not so arrogant as to assume that a Major Power like us cannot emerge from the less advanced Civilisations. However the evidence suggests that such an occurrence is so rare we may discount that possibility completely.”

Lord-Bital : “ Isn’t the possibility of such an emergence reason enough?”

Eld-Aten: “ At what cost? The cost for us is always measured in Crystalan lives. Recent operations have taken their toll on our population and Our people are weary of losing more people. Let’s not pretend we don’t know why the Entig and the O’ltana are party to these discussions; you are here to strong arm Crystalorb into acquiescence.”

Ldr-Remin : “ That’s not why we are here, and we would never violate your trust in that way.”

Lord-Bital : “ Not after every thing you’ve done for us! How many Crystalans were killed in defence of O’con?”

Eld-Utel : “ That’s not what we meant by toll!”

Lord-Bital : “ How many Crystalans died so that we might live?”

Eld-Utel : “ An average of 75000 on the 203 destroyed Nalen Class SkyGarrisons and an average of 810 on the other Class of Ships plus 4431 Crystalan Ships gives a total of 19 085 031!”

The visitors are shocked to learn the true cost of victory in the battle for O’con.

Lord-Bital : “ By the Stars! We only lost 1.78231 million; more Crystalans died in defence of our Homeworld than O’ltana!”

Hilan : “ It turns out that even Victory has its price!”

Cmdr-Elrig : “ I can see why you are unwilling to commit to further fighting!”

DCmd-Isan: “ We are not unwilling to fight; we just need legitimate reasons! We need to be able to explain to our people the purpose of their sacrifice, and doing so for our friends is a reasonable and legitimate reason”

Amb-Vinach: " Are you saying that only the Entig and the O’ltana are worthy of Crystalan lives?"

Cmdr-Arog : “ Despite their tendency to be wilfully unprepared for the dangers that face them the Entig and the O’ltana have been Crystalorb’s truest Friends. While we like the Andronians and others the bond we share with the O’ltana run far deeper than a convenient military alliance; we model our Evolution on them!”

Gen-Onlec : " I would have thought you’d base you Evolutionary progress on the Phaylon; wouldn’t that be a better fit?"

Naole : “ We don’t know anything about the Phaylon besides the obvious! We know nothing about their History, Culture and Evolution; the real substance of a Civilization. We think what a Civilization becomes is a function of what a society chooses to be.”

Amb-Tamil : " Did Commander Arog say that we are wilfully unprepared for the risks that face the O’con Federation? I thought you wanted the Migon to Attack the O’con Federation?"

Aurora : “ The Attack on the O’con Federation was inevitable; what we wanted was the timing of the Attack to be at a moment of our choosing. We wanted them to Attack the O’con Federation completely unaware of Crystalorb’s return; thus creating an opportunity for us to destroy or critically damage a great deal of their fleet and therefore leaving them effectively weaker in the grand scheme of things. Commander Arog is saying that as admirable as the qualities of the O’ltana are, for an Older Civilization the O’con Federation has proven incapable of defending itself; this runs contrary to their potential.”

SkyCmd-Khilag: " You’re saying that we are not pulling our weight?”

Naole : “ You are not even almost pulling your weight!”

Amb-Crimola : " You can’t reprimand an Older Civilization like this!"

Lord-Bital : “ They can, and they should; because they’re right!”

Eld-Utel: “ Lordship; if we have to ride to your rescue again we won’t bother to ask for permission but simply move your Inhabited Planets to a place where we can keep you safe! At the heart of Crystalan military capabilities is O’con technology; capabilities at which the O’ltana are still vastly better than Crystalans. I’m surprised the Andronians haven’t taught you the intricacies of Interstellar Warfare?”

Amb-Vinach : " We didn’t want to interfere with O’ltana Culture!"

Lord-Bital : “ We are not a warrior culture; not like Crystalans! Our people have been resistant to the transformation of our Culture, but recent events will no doubt change O’ltana Culture Forever.”

Eld-Utel: “ After recent operations Crystalorb will need time to rearm and gather Energy. We simply don’t have the resources to support a Galactic scale planetary protection Operation.”

Amb-Novlig : " It is important to find out what Crystalorb is capable of doing? Crystalans aren’t known for being forthright about Crystalorb’s capabilities; we are always surprised to find that Crystalorb has new radical technical capabilities that are ground-breaking."

DCmd-Isan: “ It doesn’t matter what we can do, because even with that even if we deploy across the Galactic Alliance Space it won’t make any meaningful difference to the outcome of the war!”

Gen-Holnari : " Your thinking about another attack on a Migon Capital aren’t you?"

DCmd-Isan: “ You saw how quickly they pulled out of the border when we attacked Mardon! I say we raise the stakes; prove that we can destroy their BattleMoons.”

Gen-Holnari : " You are talking about Attacking Core Migon Space?"

Hilan : “ We were thinking Citadle. Attacking on the other side of the Galaxy Guarantees that we avoid the Bulk of their defensive fleets, and it makes them understand that if they don’t take the defence of both their borders seriously there will be Grave Consequences.”

Amb-Crimola : " Grave Consequences? That’s your big plan? Is this the nuanced Crystalan Approach I’ve heard about for two years? Risk everything we’ve built over the past two thousand years in a high stakes game of chicken?"

Naole : “ With respect your Excellency; what the Older Civilizations have done over the past two thousand years is postpone the inevitable. If the Crystalorb Commonwealth had been destroyed at the Battle for Crystalorb all of you would be knee deep in the bloodbath left over by Migon Atrocities; our defeat was your Salvation.”

Eld-Aten: “ The 10000 BattleSpheres they lost at the Battle for Crystalorb Gave the Older Civilizations time to prepare for a foreseeable Migon Assault; preparations the Older Civilizations clearly neglected.”

Gen-Onlec : " We used the lull in the fighting to rebuild Civilizations devastated by Migon Assaults. Something that is necessary for the continued Stability of the Galactic Alliance."

Cmdr-Arog : “ And therein lies the problem; you spend so much time and resources trying to hold the Galactic Alliance together that you loose sight of the ultimate goal of defeating the Migon Federation. The Battle for Crystalorb was lost, but true to form we survived and returned to the fight ten times more powerful than before. We have since identified the weaknesses that led to our defeat, and we will not make the same mistakes again. If the Less Advanced Civilizations want to survive then they will have to step up; Devote the Resources of their Civilizations towards Survival. If they continue to depend on the Older Civilizations for protection then they are doomed!”

Amb-Vinach: “ Are you trying to suggest that we are incapable of protecting the Galactic Alliance members?”

Ldr-Remin : “ He’s not trying to suggest anything; they are flat-out saying it!”

Admr-Quanite : " You have some nerve Crystalan!"

Eld-Utel: “ Oh please! If we had left our survival in the hands of the pathetic Galactic Alliance we would be dead! Look what’s happened to the Azlecks and the Nabi; they would be extinct if it were not for Crystalan technology! Fortunately we recognized the impotent Galactic Alliance for what it was a long time ago, and because of this we sought to take the fate of our Crystalorb Commonwealth in our own hands by developing the capabilities that not only saved us, but also saved the Azlecks, the Anabi and the O’ltana.”

Amb-Vinach : " What? We didn’t have any part it that?"

Lord-Bital : “ It would be insulting if it wasn’t true! Crystalorb’s Vortex Jump Sequence Technology prevented the overrun of O’con and the total annihilation of the Anabi. What the Crystalorb Commonwealth and the Andronian Federation did to Byon and Mardon collapsed Migon infrastructure in the entire Sector; this is what a properly constituted Military Alliance produces; an overwhelming force.”

SkyCmd-Khilag: " The Young and the Old working together to vanquish Evil!”

Eld-Utel: “ Which is why the attack must be repeated on Citadle; cripple their entire forward defensive infrastructure.”

SkyC-Nareb : " You Crystalans are perhaps the most powerful to Evolve in the past hundred thousand years, but you are also the most reckless and callous: something reminiscent of the Migon’s descent into evil. This is the path to Evil; you surely must see that!"

Eld-Deov : “ We are not unaware that we are on a road that could lead an unprepared Civilization to embrace the more destructive tendencies; the kind that the Migon and others embraced. This is why we place certain limits on Crystalan Power. By rejecting Empire we remove the risks associated with Empire. This is also the reason Crystalorb has not joined the Galactic Alliance, because joining the Galactic Alliance would require a change in Crystalorb Ideology due to certain obligations of membership. If the Crystalorb Commonwealth were to join the Galactic Alliance we would be required to Control and Police a minimum of 25 Star Systems; something that seems far too much like an Empire for Crystalan taste.”

Gen-Onlec : " The 25 Star Systems minimum guarantees that all members operate sufficient technology and capabilities to be useful in a crisis. However Crystalorb has already proven to be far more useful than most members of the Galactic Alliance."

Hilan : “ And joining the Galactic Alliance would only Compromise our Capabilities; something that’s not of Crystalan Designs. The requirements of Galactic Alliance membership would expose the Crystalorb Commonwealth to more risks than acceptable.”

Amb-Crimola : " What would it take to bring the Crystalorb Commonwealth into the Galactic Alliance?"

Amb-Vinach: “ Are you seriously suggesting that we begin negotiations for Crystalorb’s membership while the enemy is at the gates?”

Amb-Crimola : " No time like the present! This will Guarantee that Crystalorb gets the best terms; which I suspect is the only way we will ever get Crystalorb to accede to Galactic Alliance membership."

Gen-Holnari : " Ambassador Crimola is dead right; we are here for Crystalorb’s assistance, but what we really need is for the Crystalorb Commonwealth to accede to Galactic Alliance membership.”

Amb-Vinach : “ This could destabilize the Galactic Alliance.”

Gen-Holnari : " The Galactic Alliance is already destabilized, but Crystalorb’s membership may be the thing we need to restore it."

Eld-Aten: “ If you are serious about negotiating then Restoring the Alliance will not be sufficient!”

Cmdr-Senalo : “ What are your terms?”

Eld-Utel : “ First we will need Level 2 Membership! Older Civilizations are Level 1 Members and that gives any three Level 1 Members a veto. The Entig Republic, the Qualong Republic, the Dranek Federation and the Ronian Conclave are the only Level 2 Members and they hold a veto that requires unanimity amongst all Level 2 Members.”

Eld-Deov : “ Crystalorb’s membership will require Galactic Alliance Reforms to membership requirements.”

Eld-Aten: “ And finally; Crystalorb will need the Galactic Alliance to Build. Maintain and Operate a Fleet of Ships.”

Gen-Onlec : " Is that all?" Clearly annoyed with Crystalans “Talk about the impossible; what makes you so special?”

Admr-Quanite: " Hold on; having a separate Galactic Alliance Fleet might actually be more useful that having to Convince members to contribute Ships to a mission."

Amb-Vinach: “ What sort of Reforms are you looking for?”

Eld-Utel: “ We will need every Member to Contribute 1.5% of their Annual Resources to the Galactic Alliance; the 1.5% of their Annual Resources will be calculated as a function of total Energy Consumption.”

Cmdr-Senalo: “ And an active Fleet with unrestricted passage through all member territories on top of that?”

Ldr-Remin : “ None of the members will agree to unrestricted passage through their territories. However limited movement through all member territories would be possible; provided certain protocols are observed.”

Gen-Holnari : " As for the Reforms Crystalorb needs I’m reasonably confident that a majority of members can be convinced provided Crystalorb can agree to certain additional stipulations.”

Eld-Deov : “ What stipulations?”

Gen-Holnari : " To convince a majority of members to change the tenets of the Galactic Alliance by introducing a general 1.5% tax on resources and operating a Galactic Alliance Fleet Crystalorb will have to offer more than parity; more than what is expected of all others."

Eld-Deov : “ What are these additional conditions?”

Gen-Holnari : " Crystalorb will have to devote an additional 3.5% of resources to the Galactic Alliance for a total of 5% of resources. Crystalorb will also be required to build the fleet of Ships for the Galactic Alliance."

Eld-Aten: “ We can devote an additional 3.5% of our resources to the Galactic Alliance for as long as the war with the Migon persists, but building Ships for the Galactic Alliance isn’t feasible; not unless there is an incentive for Crystalorb to transfer advanced technology for use by less advanced Civilizations.”

Naole : “ Why Crystalorb anyway? I’m sure you can build Ships that are far more capable than Crystalorb Ships.”

Amb-Vinach: " It’s not about what we can build but how quickly we can build it? Crystalorb technology is powerful enough to be effective against the enemy and it has already been provided to Humans and Azlecks so we don’t have to deal with issues related to protecting the secrecy of the technology. To that end the Galactic Alliance will provide the resources required to build the Ships and offer 8% of the value of each Ship as profit."

Eld-Deov : “ We can’t get it done for less than 15% profit!”

Amb-Vinach : " It has to be 9% profit”

Eld-Utel : “ We could be persuaded to do it for 13%!”

Amb-Crimola : " 10% profit paid for in Heavy Elements from Level 1&2 Galactic Alliance members provided you can produce 40-Five Ship BattleGroups a year!"

Naole : “ It all depends on what sort of ships we’re talking about!”

Amb-Crimola : " For political reasons the Ships can’t be larger than the largest UHC Destroyer; so Cruisers or BattleCruisers are out of the question!"

Gen-Holnari : " A while ago we looked at procuring a BattleGroup formation of 3 Apollo Class Destroyers and 2 Nubia Class Destroyers to protect some of the Younger planetary Civilizations, but then humans lost a large chunk of their Ship building capabilities and we had to go with Kulnet Ships."

Eld-Aten: “ We can meet these stipulations!”

Amb-Vinach : " Then we have a deal!"

Eld-Utel : “ We have a deal Ambassador!”

Cmdr-Arog: “ You will have Crystalan support to your operations as soon as you pass the resolution through the Galactic Alliance Council.”

Hilan : “ Until then we have our sights firmly fixed on Citadle!”

Cmdr-Elrig : “ So you’re going ahead with that?”

Aurora : “ Of-course!”

Amb-Crimola : " Oh you are Stubborn! I like it!"

They break for private Consultations.

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Gen-Onlec : " I’m surprised Crystalans were willing to part with so much for so little in return. They are giving the Galactic Alliance a tremendous amount of resources."

Amb-Vinach: " What they are getting in return may not be apparent but it is far more important than resources."

Cmdr-Senalo : “ What?”

Gen-Holnari : " They have dismantled our control over the Galactic Alliance! This fleet of Ships they want built removes the Galactic Alliance member’s dependence on the Older Civilizations for Protection; therefore drastically reducing our influence."

Admr-Quanite: " If you knew that’s what they were doing then why did you let them do it?"

Amb-Vinach: " Because the Crystalans are right; the dependence on the Older Civilizations for Protection must end if the younger Civilizations are to survive."

Gen-Holnari : " Crystalans aren’t like other species! You saw them after the attack on Byon; they were prepared to die just to give the Alliance Fleet an opportunity to win this war. I mean millions of Crystalans understood and accepted the need for a sacrifice, and they were willing to make that sacrifice. They are warrior born; all of them! I doubt you will find a people more committed to this war."

Amb-Crimola : " True; they have to be! They are the only Civilizations the Migon cannot allow to survive."

SkyCmd-Khilag: " How so?”

SkyC-Nareb : " You’ve seen how powerful they’ve become, and in a little while their power will equal that of Older Civilization; thus given sufficient time their power will eclipse that of the Migon and the Migon know this."

Amb-Tamil : " The Crystalans may not have surpassed us in technology, but given the size of their fleet they have surpassed us in power, and with the development of Crystalium1417 it’s only a matter of time before their technology is as good as ours if not better."

Amb-Novlig : " The source of their power is cultural rather than genetic; in the beginning the Hodians had essentially the same DNA but in a few hundred years they’ve turned out to be vastly inferior to their Crystalan counterparts. We thought it was the Crystal Heart that made the difference, but recent simulations based on current Crystalan behaviour suggests that while the Crystal Heart is a significant component the Cultural Aspect is far more significant. They are what they are because they chose to be what they are!"

Gen-Onlec : " Why do the Andronians want the Crystalans at the Centre of the Galactic Alliance? Is it the Vortex Jump Sequence? Or is it something else? Have you seen something in them that warrants them having a central role in the Galactic Alliance?"

Gen-Holnari : " Crystalorb will return to the Inter-Dimensional Pocket; they don’t know that it will, but it’s inevitable. Then once they are back in CIDR they will use Inter-Dimensional Vortexes to explore the Galaxies; searching for Transcended Beings."

Admr-Quanite : " They are looking for the Phaylon?"

Gen-Holnari : " At first I thought their extensive Energy production and storage infrastructure was geared towards the war effort, but when I realized they planned to more than quadruple the number of Fusion Reactors on Crystalorb in the next Hundred Years it became clear that they were looking beyond the war and towards intergalactic exploration. Crystalorb’s Knoras are looking for ten times the number of Fusion Reactors currently on Crystalorb; that is exactly the sort of Exotic Energy necessary to reach and explore Galaxies outside the local group of Galaxies. For now they only see this option as a contingency; they love contingencies, but it will evolve into something else. Crystalans are essentially transforming this planet into a planet size Ship. They haven’t formally formulated the questions in their minds, but they are clearly instinctively following a path that leads to the search. Putting them at the Centre of the Galactic Alliance will delay their departure; thus giving the other younger Civilizations time to learn as much as possible from Crystalans before they leave."

Amb-Tamil : " When the time comes they will ask!"

Cmdr-Senalo : “ Ask what?”

Amb-Vinach : " They will ask us to come with them!"

Cmdr-Senalo: “ When you say us; do you mean all the Older Civilizations? Or do you mean just the O’ltana and the Andronians?”

Gen-Holnari : " All the Older Civilizations! However since we know that the O’ltana will agree to go, the Andronians have no choice but to follow, and I suspect the Entig will also leave with the Crystalans; so the real question seems to be what will the rest of the Older Civilizations do?"

Amb-Crimola : " This will split our own Civilizations! Some will go and some will stay; a fracture in the very Heart of the Older Civilizations!"

Admr-Quanite: " An opportunity to meet the Phaylon! Find out how they did it? How they Transcended?"

Amb-Vinach: " The very Idea is enticing to some of us! Yet some of our people will feel a responsibility to stay behind and look after the younger Civilizations; individuals will make their own personal choice!"

Amb-Crimola : " But not yet! For now there is still the Migon threat to deal with, and the Crystalans seem intent on making their move on Citadle; should we give them some military support?"

Admr-Quanite : " We don’t have the ships to spare!"

Amb-Novlig : " The Entig cannot let Crystalans go to Citadle alone; to that end we have re-tasked a thousand of our StarCruisers to join the Crystalorb Fleet preparing for the Assault on Citadle!"

Gen-Onlec : " We need those ships for Galactic Alliance Operations! Weakening our response now will have serious consequences for those we hope to protect!"

Cmdr-Elrig: “ I’m sorry General; we failed the Crystalans at the Battle for Crystalorb, we won’t fail them again! If you need ships; there is a surplus of ships on the border with the Migon; there is your answer.”

Gen-Onlec : " So you’re going to be reckless because you feel guilty?"

Amb-Vinach: " The Entig are only doing what comes naturally; separating from their mentors in the Older Civilizations and charting their own path through their partnership with Crystalans!"

Cmdr-Elrig: “ It’s not like we’re pulling out the entire 5000 Ships, we are simply reassigning a fifth of that force to Crystalan operations; not forgetting that it is entirely possible that Crystalans are as right about Citadle as they were about O’con, Mardon and Byon.”

Amb-Crimola : " Then so be it!"

The Crystalans are having their own discussions about the progress of the talks.

Cmdr-Arog: “ My concern is that the Older Civilizations will find a way to pass the resolution in the Galactic Alliance Council before we make our assault on Citadle; thereby effectively cancelling our mission.”

Hilan : “ They won’t be able to pass that resolution that quickly without giving up something important, and you know how they are about their most advanced technologies. My best guess is 4 days, and by then it will be too late!”

Cmdr-Arog: “ An attack on Citadle will prove once and for all to the Migon and to the members of the Galactic Alliance that Crystalorb is a power to be reckoned with! Why did they choose the Apollo Class Destroyer and Nubia Class Destroyer? Surely there are other ships amongst member Nations that are as effective if not better designs?”

Eld-Utel: “ It’s a technology transfer! They chose the Apollo Class Destroyer and Nubia Class Destroyer as an elegant way of transferring Crystalan Technology to member Nations; as we train them to operate the ships they will gain a wealth of knowledge about advanced Crystalan Technology and warship design.”

DCmd-Isan: “ Is it wise to allow the Older Civilizations to make us share so much with so many? What guarantee do we have that our technology will not end up in the hands of our enemies?”

Eld-Deov : “ We are not sharing anything we haven’t already shared with others! Besides knowing how something works is not the same as being able to reproduce it; our technology protects itself.”

Aurora : “ Still; knowing how something works provides an opportunity to build defences! This could lead to the Migon developing better defences to Crystalorb’s Enhanced Weapons Array.”

Naole : “ We know all about the Enhanced Weapons Array, and yet we can’t defend against it; there is no effective defence against the Enhanced Weapons Array. And while we may let the Galactic Alliance operate the latest version of the Enhanced Weapons Array we are not about to share with the Alliance the production technology!”

DCmd-Isan: “ I would have thought that it would have been more strategically advantageous for the Galactic Alliance to have a fleet composed of a wide range of ship types and capabilities!”

Eld-Aten: “ Clearly the Older Civilizations did not want to be bogged down in the bureaucracy of production tenders and contracts; Giving the production Contracts to Crystalorb is efficient and it has the added bonus of placing the Crystalorb Commonwealth at the centre of Galactic Alliance activities. It forces the Crystalorb Commonwealth to maintain good relations with a majority of Galactic Alliance members.”

Cmdr-Arog: “ And it also keeps a sizable Chunk of our capabilities tied to the Galactic Alliance; thus preventing us from building up to a unilateral action.”

Naole : “ We can’t really blame them after what happened the last time.”

Hilan : “ Between the Heavy Elements collected from recent operations and the Heavy Elements we will receive as payment for building Ships Crystalorb will achieve 200000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors in 50 years relative Normal Space time; that’s 1145 CIDR time. To augment our current energy need we have already started Construction of 20000 Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors, and while these reactors can only produce about 28.7% of the energy of Crystalium814 Reactors the additional energy is necessary to maintain sufficient energy reserves for all foreseeable contingencies, but once enough Crystalium814, Crystalium947 and Crystalium1417 stockpiles reach operational levels we will begin replacing the Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors with our most Advanced Fusion Reactors.”

Eld-Utel: “ Would it be possible to donate the 20000 Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors to the UHC?”

Hilan : “ All our Fusion Reactors are designed to be removable and interchangeable; Terrestrial, Crystalorb Ships and Stations, and the same applies for the Energy Storage Systems; it makes it easier to upgrade and repair. We could give them to the Humans; do you want them to use them on their ships?”

Eld-Utel: “ It seems to me that the Humans will blame us for what’s happened to them; All their Capitals have been Destroyed, the Human Fleets have been Decimated and the Human Population has been reduced to a little over 5.13297 Billion Humans not including 700 Million Hybrids and 1.4 Billion Hodians; who by the way we warned of an imminent Migon attack thus allowing them to get out in time; fortunately the Hodians headed our warning.”

Cmdr-Arog : “ We alerted the Hodians to the threat but not the Lodians.”

Eld-Utel: “ We’ve formed an Alliance with the Hodians, and the Lodians have proven unreliable; their record with us is spotty at best.”

Aurora : “ It certainly looks bleak for the Humans!”

Eld-Utel: “ Yes it does; However the fact that they’ve taken a beating makes it possible for Crystalorb to take control of the UHC. In their weakened state we can use them; we can outsource the political and bureaucratic obligations arising from the deal we’ve just made with the Older Civilizations, but we will have to give the Humans something substantial.”

Aurora : “ That goes without saying!”

Hilan : “ Given what’s happened to the Humans we have to revise our plans for them; for if the humans are to survive it will be under Crystalorb’s protection and guidance. To that end; we must rework our plans for the UHC and find a sustainable way to keep them alive long enough for them to reach a capability level that would allow them to protect themselves.”

Naole : “ Perhaps we should take a page from the Migon Book!”

Eld-Utel : “ How do you mean?”

Naole : “ We take one of the moons in the Earth System and systematically transform it into a BattleMoon, and then we go a step further by adding more layers in order to create a permanent mobile home for Humans, Lodians and Hodians. This gives them actual security rather than having to depend on an interstellar infrastructure; if things get hot they can simply move somewhere else.”

Hilan : “ Why stop there? We could turn it into a MotherShip; a Ship that is a Home, Warship and Ship Building Facility.”

Eld-Deov : “ That sounds expensive!”

DCmd-Isan: “ Not necessarily; if we could get the Hodians to partner with us we could complete the project without it causing a severe drain on our resources.”

Naole : “ Building such a MotherShip will require the Construction of at least 40000 Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors, and once the majority of the population is settled we will have to upgrade the Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors to Crystalium814 based Fusion Reactors. Between our Commitments to the Galactic Alliance, the rebuilding of the Crystalorb Fleet, the Construction of CIDR and now the Construction of a MotherShip for the UHC there is barely enough to start rebuilding Our Energy Reserves; so if we do this we won’t be able to mount a Large Scale Military Operation such as the current one for at least 5 years without seriously compromising our contingency measures.”

Eld-Aten: “ I can see Naole’s point; this is indeed a risky proposition. However; we abandoned the Humans and left them to die; the only way to make this right is to help them rebuild Stronger and more United.”

Cmdr-Arog : “ We owe it to our Collective Conscience to do this for them!”

Hilan : “ Naole; I sense you carry a lot of guilt for what you were forced to let happen to the Humans.”

Aurora : “ We all carry that guilt!”

Hilan : “ I think it’s hard for us to understand what it’s like for you Naole; for us Humanity is an abstract concept that we haven’t had to live, but you were born and raised as a Human; the Crystalan Identity is still to some extent a secondary machination to the original Human Identity to you, and so having to let Humans die weighs incredibly heavy on your Soul. But you must know; surely on some level you must know that you are the only one of us who could make that decision, you are the only one of us still Human.”

Aurora : “ You are the Envoy of the Forbidden! That means you represent not just the Crystalan Dead but also the Humans in our Bloodline that Crystalans descend from. As far as we’ve come, we came from Humans! As Evolved as we are, we Evolved from Humans!”

Eld-Utel : “ And we must never forget!”

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The Elders open a Coms link to Atola and Bruce who are about to meet with the Hodian High Council onboard a Hodian SkyGarrison.

Eld-Deov : “ How did it go Group Captains?”

GCapt-Bruce : “ We engaged the Enemy as ordered Sir!”

GCapt-Atola : “ But the Enemy was not interested in a fight Sir!”

GCapt- Bruce : “ They Clearly had a defined set of instructions Sir!”

GCapt-Atola: “ The Migon BattleSpheres engaged the Galactic Alliance ships in the Ra System allowing the BattleCylinders to Bypassed defences and attack the Major colonies directly!”

GCapt- Bruce : “ Lordship; It’s a Total Loss!”

Aurora : “ By the Source!”

Hilan : “ Have the Hodians survived intact?”

GCapt- Bruce : “ Aye Sir!”

GCapt-Atola: “ The Hodians Heeded Crystalorb’s warning, but even so they lost 300 million who could not get out of major Human Colonies in time to avoid the onslaught.”

GCapt-Bruce: “ The Hodians did try to warn the human Governments; they pleaded with them!”

Aurora : “ But it didn’t do any good?”

Cmdr-Arog : “ As usual they wouldn’t listen; they never listen!”

DCmd-Isan: “ Are there any Human Governments left? Or Even Military Leadership?”

GCapt-Bruce: “ The United Atlantic Federation managed to save their entire Executive Council and a majority of the Elected Atlantic Federation Senators.”

GCapt-Atola: “ The Executive Council of the United Atlantic Federation Is planning to relocate to Earth’s moon once things settle down!”

GCapt-Bruce: “ For whatever reason the Migon left the Joint Forces Command Centre on Earth's Moon intact. For the second time the Migon did not bother to attack the Joint Military Base and the Ship Building Facility on Earth's Moon. By United Human Civilisation Security agreements the Joint Forces Command Centre on Earth's Moon has Five Force Commanders active at all times; one Force Commander from each of the 5 Human Governments. The Five Force Commanders form the Joint Forces Command Council; which has the shared responsibility for the security of the United Human Civilisation. Yet somehow the Migon do not consider it a worthy target; indicating that to the Migon Security instillations are not a high value target, and what they’re really interested in is decimating populations. Security Instillations are only targeted if they protect large population centres.”

GCapt-Atola: “ The Migon have hit every Major Human Colony! Humanity is Exposed, Vulnerable and Defenceless; we either act now or we disregard the Normal Humans and let the light of mankind be extinguished.”

Eld-Deov : “ As compelling as the situation may be, we have to continue to abide by the pre-approved plans; making emotional judgments at this point can only hurt mankind.”

Eld-Aten: “ As it is the Migon believe that Crystalorb has abandoned Mankind; thus negating the benefits of any further attacks on Humans. However if we now ride to Mankind’s rescue it would give the Migon a reason to target Humans.”

Eld-Deov : “ For now; we proceed as planned! Bruce, Atola; We are sending 2 Nalen Class SkyGarrisons with each supported by 4 Esara Class SkyCruiser BattleGroups!”

Eld-Utel: “ Group Captains; you will liaise with what remains of human authorities and evacuate Humans in distress!”

GCapt-Atola : “ Evacuate Humans to?”

Naole : “ That World that was once Home to Us All!”

Eld-Utel : “ Earth that was!”

Eld-Deov : “ And Earth that will be!”

Eld-Aten: “ Earth is the Beacon that will pull all Humans together once again! Through Earth Humanity will begin Again!”

Eld-Utel : “ Group Captains; these are you orders!”

GCapt-Bruce : “ On your Command!”

GCapt-Atola : “ On your Command!”

The Coms link to Atola and Bruce is Ended.

◇◆◇

Moments later the meeting with the representatives of the Galactic Alliance continued.

Eld-Utel: “ The Crystalorb General Council has passed the Legislation allowing the Crystalorb Commonwealth to formally join the Galactic Alliance under the agreed upon conditions.”

Amb-Vinach : " So quickly?"

Hilan : “ We don’t believe in unnecessary delays!”

Eld-Aten: “ Crystalorb has 450 StarPort Bays; short for StarShip Port Bays! We are Building another 550 StarPort Bays on CIDR. Historically 25% of the StarPort Bays are reserved for trade, 25% of the StarPort Bays are reserved for Ship repairs and 50% of the StarPort Bays are reserved for Ship Construction. Each StarPort Bay can accommodate 1 Esara Class SkyCruiser or 4 Casara Class Cruisers, and given that the Casara Class Cruiser is 16km long each StarPort Bay can accommodate 8 Apollo Class Destroyers or Nubia Class Destroyers. Thus to fulfil our obligations to the Galactic Alliance we need only build 25 additional StarPort Bays on CIDR to replace the ones being designated for Galactic Alliance Construction. We intend to use the UHC to handle the bureaucratic intricacies of an Interstellar Ship Building Project. The Humans will handle all the supply contracts on our behalf; leaving Crystalans free to do what Crystalans do best; build!”

Amb-Crimola : " Really? You’ve already found a way to wiggle out of having to cultivate relationships with Galactic Alliance members? Relationships are important! Is it really that difficult for you?"

Cmdr-Arog: “ We have found that we have very little in common with other sentient species. For some strange reason that continues to puzzle us most Civilizations consider Crystalan Ideology to be a bitter pill to swallow. Is it difficult for us to form Relationships?”

Aurora : “ Absolutely!”

DCmd-Isan : “ We have to Behave and Act Honourably!”

Aurora : “ But Diplomacy by its very nature is Dishonest!”

Naole : “ So we try and avoid having Diplomatic Relations with nations we can’t trust!”

Cmdr-Arog: “ Thus avoiding the more problematic aspects of Interstellar Diplomatic Relations!”

Eld-Deov : “ Crystalorb has a lot on its plate; we are doing the best that we can! Crystalorb has plenty to do given the task of bringing the Nalen Class SkyGarrison Fleet to 4000, repairing the Adult Crystalan Ships, bringing Baby and Juvenile Crystalan Ships to Adulthood, bringing the Crystalorb Ship Fleet to; 16000 Esara Class SkyCruiser BattleGroups and an additional 15000 Casara Class Cruisers. Not to mention the excavation of CIDR, the extraction of minerals from CIDR-1 and CIDR-2, the task of bringing the Terrestrial Fusion Reactors to 400000 in 50 years relative Normal Space time; that’s 1145 CIDR time. Now there is the matter of building Ships for the Alliance and building a MotherShip for the UHC!”

SkyCmd-Khilag: " 400000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors? When did you decide to double your Numbers?”

Hilan : “ The plan was for 200000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on Crystalorb and another 100000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on CIDR, but once we decided to build Ships for the Alliance and a MotherShip for the UHC we had to revise the numbers upwards to 400000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on Crystalorb and another 150000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on CIDR; an unprecedented task given that there are only 34000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on Crystalorb and another 8000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on CIDR. We have already started Construction of 20000 Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors on CIDR, and while these reactors can only produce about 28.7% of the energy of Crystalium814 Reactors the additional energy is sufficient, and it turns out that if we stop all construction projects for 55 days and devote all our resources on the Terrestrial Fusion Reactor Build Program we could build another 50000 Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors on CIDR. Once Crystalium814, Crystalium947 and Crystalium1417 stockpiles reach operational levels we will begin replacing the Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors with our most Advanced Fusion Reactors; which incidentally need Crystalium814, Crystalium947 and Crystalium1417 to be optimal.”

Amb-Vinach: " You want to go from 34000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on Crystalorb and another 8000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on CIDR to 400000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on Crystalorb and another 150000 Terrestrial Fusion Reactors on CIDR in just 50 years?"

Eld-Utel: “ We’ve come to understand that Energy is the name of the game in this war! This is not something that is beyond Crystalans Abilities!”

Naole : “ Though we would have to construct all 508000 additional Fusion Reactors with Crystalium317 as the primary Element; upgrading to the most Advanced Fusion Reactors; the Tri-Element Crystalium814, Crystalium947 and Crystalium1417 based Fusion Reactors.”

SkyC-Nareb : " Why do you want 550000 Fusion Reactors? Isn’t that way beyond your foreseeable need?"

Eld-Deov : “ The truth is we don’t know what our foreseeable needs are!”

Eld-Aten: “ Yes! For all we know we might need such exotic Energies; best to be prepared you know.”

Naole : “ We think that there is a possibility that we might be Energy Immortals like the Velrovians. So if it turns out that we are Energy Immortals it might be useful to have a massive energy surplus. Not to mention that Vortex Jump Sequences consume a ridiculous amount of energy.”

Cmdr-Senalo : “ What exactly is this MotherShip you want to build for the UHC?”

DCmd-Isan : “ Like all Great Ideas it’s Completely Insane!”

Eld-Aten: “ The MotherShip will be the most magnificent project Crystalans have undertaken on behalf of others!”

Cmdr-Arog : “ Its Construction will Change the Galaxy Forever!”

Naole : “ The basic Idea is that we take one of the moons in the Earth System and systematically transform it into a BattleMoon, and then we go a step further by adding more layers in order to create a permanent mobile home for Humans, Lodians and Hodians; thus transforming a BattleMoon into a MotherShip. The MotherShip gives the UHC a secure Capital; if things get hot they can simply move somewhere else.”

Hilan : “ A Ship that is a Home, Warship and Ship Building Facility! The MotherShip will initially consist of at least 40000 Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors, but will later be upgraded from the Crystalium317 based Fusion Reactors to Crystalium814 based Fusion Reactors. The MotherShip must have 2 Billion Spherical Crystalorb Robots. The MotherShip must have 5 Billion spacious four Bedroom Apartments and 2 Billion single rooms each with its own bathroom. The MotherShip must have 2 StarPorts; one for Interstellar Trade and one for StarShip Construction. The MotherShip must have 1 StarPort Construction Bay for the Atlantis Class SkyCruiser, 1 StarPort Construction Bay for the India Class SkyCruiser, 2 StarPort Construction Bay for the Dragon Class SkyCruiser, 1 StarPort Construction Bay for the Afruika Class SkyCruiser, 2 StarPort Construction Bays for the Aries Class BattleCruisers, 2 StarPort Construction Bays for the Gandhi Class BattleCruisers, 4 StarPort Construction Bays for the Asia Class BattleCruisers, 2 StarPort Construction Bays for the Vanguard Class BattleCruisers, 2 StarPort Construction Bays for the Nubia Class Destroyers, 36 StarPort Construction Bays for the Apollo Class Destroyers, 2 StarPort Construction Bays for the Juggernaut Class Frigates, 10 StarPort Construction Bays for the Valiant Class Corvettes, 100 StarPort Construction Bays for the Gunship Class StarShips and 2 StarPort Construction Bays for Protector Class SkyGarrisons. The Protector Class SkyGarrison is used by the Azlecks and the Hodians, therefore their knowledge of its Construction and Operational Maintenance can easily be transferred to the UHC. The MotherShip’s Primary Armament will be the Cone part of 100 Protector Class SkyGarrisons, and the Secondary Armament will be the Cone part of 1000 Afruika Class SkyCruisers, with the Tertiary Armament being thousands of Fusion Beam Convergence Cannons, Standard Multidirectional Particle Beam Cannons, Plasma Cannons and Missile Tubes/Launchers all attached to a 2km Gold Crystalorb Crystal Armour Hull with 200m thick Crystalorb Black Crystal second layer.”

Eld-Deov : “ I know it sounds expensive, but we’ve brought in others to share the work load!”

DCmd-Isan: “ We are already negotiating with the Hodians to be our primary contractors so we could complete the project without it causing a severe drain on our resources!”

Amb-Vinach : " You realize that you are talking about the equivalent of building an entire Planet?"

Aurora : “ It’s about the same as building a full scale colony on a Mars size planet!”

Gen-Holnari : " It is Ambitious!"

Cmdr-Arog : “ It’s the only legitimate way to guarantee human survival!”

Naole : “ The other option would require the Integration of all Human types into Crystalorb!”

DCmd-Isan : “ And I can’t see Human Leaders agreeing to that!”

Amb-Crimola : " A structure like that would be too big to be Efficiently Mobile!"

Hilan : “ We are not looking for Efficient Mobility; only Emergency Mobility! To that end we have already started drilling on a moon that’s 2000km across; a perfect size for our purposes!”

Naole : “ The Solid Iron Core is a perfect building block for the CCS Tera! Once we transform the outer layer of the Solid Iron Core into Crystal we can expand it to a 1000km across Solid Core; only then can the real layering work begin. Each layer will be a self-sustaining habitable zone complete with Parks, Hydrophobic Farms, Factories, Fusion Reactors, Hospitals, Apartments, Schools and Universities. The Final Layer will be the Military Zone. The MotherShip will be built as a Cluster of Modules; each Module built using the Interlocking Block Construction. We’ve already started the initial work of planning for the manufacture of the Interlocking Blocs, and as you know both Crystalorb and CIDR have extensive facilities for the production of Interlocking Blocks.”

Gen-Holnari : " CCS Tera? So Crystalorb will maintain Ownership and Control?"

Cmdr-Arog : “ Crystalorb is carrying the entire cost of the project!”

Aurora : “ Besides; we can’t trust the UHC to maintain the CCS Tera in a good working order! Look at what they’ve done with their own instillations!”

Amb-Tamil : " What about the Ships produced by the CCS Tera?"

Eld-Deov : “ This isn’t complicated!”

Eld-Utel : “ We’re not going to give anyone anything! Nothing is free; not really!”

Amb-Vinach: " Crystalorb gave each of the Older Civilizations a priceless Power Source? Vortex Jump Sequence Technology is equally priceless? Aren’t they all invaluable gifts?"

Eld-Aten: “ Giving all of you our most advanced technology in the form of the Power Sources and Vortex Jump Sequence Technology serves Crystalorb’s interests.”

Amb-Novlig : " In what way?"

Eld-Deov : “ To build the Power Sources Crystalorb had to have technical insights into each of the Older Civilizations, and that gave us a rare understanding of all of your Genetics, Technology and Energy Generation Systems. As for the Vortex Jump Sequence Technology we always intended to share it with all of you; for no matter how powerful we become we will always need Allies.”

Amb-Crimola : " Oh please! We didn’t give you anything you didn’t already have? Your Phaylon Reactor is far more advanced than anything at our disposal and you know it? Giving us the Power Sources and Vortex Jump Sequence Technology may have served Crystalorb’s interests but it was a gift and you know it."

Eld-Utel : “ You misunderstand! The insights gained from your Genetics, Technology and Energy Generation Systems helps us understand them!”

Admr-Quanite : " The Migon?"

Eld-Utel : “ The Migon are just like you; warped and evil, but just like you!”

Gen-Onlec : " What?"

Eld-Utel: “ They weren’t always evil, but at some point the Civilization turned Malevolent, and understanding the why’s is the key to peace. They may be your enemies now, but all of you know the Migon intimately, and when the time comes the Migon will listen to you.”

Eld-Deov : “ Our role as we understand it now is to bring this ghastly situation to that inevitable point as quickly as possible.”

Hilan : “ And the only way to do that is to make things untenable for the Migon. We must rain so much destruction upon their heads that they will have no choice but to talk!”

SkyC-Nareb : " Do you honestly believe you can succeed where we have failed?"

Hilan : “ I may be speaking out of term here, but how many of you have actually destroyed Migon worlds? No doubt you have the capability, but until Crystalorb entered the war you didn’t have the opportunity; we gave you that!”

Cmdr-Senalo : “ There are legitimate reasons for not attempting that route!”

Hilan : “ Yeah; we get it! However we also know that the longer this war continues the closer Crystalorb gets to being beyond the Migon Federation’s ability to destroy and the Migon know this. This is simple truth about being Crystalan that we’ve always known is that the longer a Crystalan fights the stronger he or she becomes. It is an inescapable truth of our biology; the Chest Crystal is reactive! Every time we heal we heal stronger, and that also goes for the Crystalan Ships! The Crystal was made to be hard to kill! The Azlecks made it that way! The Azlecks wanted a capability that could rise to meet a challenge, and that’s what we are; Migon know this. They know they have to win this war in this generation or they will loose it all. If you think the attack on O’con was intense then hold on tight because we’re about to go down the rabbit hole.”

SkyCmd-Khilag: " Rabbit Hole?”

Naole : “ They will regroup; then they’ll come out fighting stronger than ever! And when that horrific day comes; we either meet that challenge or the whole Galaxy will go up in smoke.”

Admr-Quanite : " You actually believe that you would survive a Death Match with the Migon?"

Eld-Aten: “ Bloody Hell! Don’t you get it? We are already in a Death Match!”

DCmd-Isan: “ They’ve tried to kill us twice! Once on Earth and then again at the Battle for Crystalorb, they tried to kill the Azlecks and the Nabi, and recently they launched a direct assault on O’con!”

Aurora : “ They have destroyed hundreds of worlds, and they are poised to destroy hundreds more! The only way to stop the current cycle of destruction is to raise the stakes; we need to prove to the Migon that their BattleMoons cannot protect them. The Migon need to understand that they can no longer hide behind their BattleMoons, and this is why the attack on Citadle is necessary; for as long as they believe that their BattleMoons can protect their Worlds this War will not end.”

Amb-Vinach: " It’s this or nothing! You could pursue a mix of strategies that would have more balanced results. The course of action you have chosen will have grave consequences for most of the Civilizations in this Galaxy!"

Eld-Deov : “ Humans have a saying; you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs!”

Amb-Crimola : " Really? That’s the attitude you’re going to take?"

Eld-Utel: “ For the longest time we at Crystalorb could not understand how all of you could be so Powerful and so Weak at the same time! Then we witnessed the Migon attack on the Entig Republic's Postig colony; a true revelation! None of you have ever been in a Zero Sum Game; every war you’ve fought have been about everything other than your survival! Until recently you were all like the O’ltana; Completely Unprepared for All Out Warfare.”

Amb-Vinach : “ So you think us inept?”

Eld-Aten: “ That’s not what we’re saying! Your lives aren’t actually on the line here; at least not yet! But mark my words; once the Migon are done with the rest of the Civilizations in this Galaxy they will come after all of you!”

Naole : “ We understand this kind of enemy; when we first went to War with the Hodians we were outgunned, outnumbered and outmatched. Again when we faced up to the Circleans they had a clear and unmistakable advantage over Crystalorb. However on both occasions with our survival on the line we rose to meet that challenge! I believe we can do that again!”

Gen-Holnari : " I agree with the Crystalans! We’ve been avoiding an all out Confrontation with the Migon for over Two Hundred Thousand Years, and most of our battles have been largely about territory and the protection of Civilizations at the edges of the territories under our control, but the direct assault on O’con is a game changer, and we can no longer pretend that we don’t know what’s coming; we are all in danger now!"

Lord-Bital : “ We know what its like to be in danger of extinction! And now we know what it’s like to owe your survival to your friends! Even now our Homeworld is protected by fleets of Crystalan and Andronian Ships; something that must never be necessary again. The O’ltana now understand that change is no longer just an option but has now become a necessity. The O’con Federation will once again go through a series of transformation that will make us more like the Andronians and the Crystalans; just as we did when we first met the Crystalans! We need to move out of our comfort zones; Harness Exotic Energies, Build Stupendous Structures and Challenge Ourselves to Reach for the Impossible.”

As the talks continued it became clear that Crystalorb was slowly winning over the most powerful Civilizations of the Galactic Alliance, and they were beginning to see things Crystalorb’s way.

◇◆◇

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