Fwurg

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I am not used to talking in metaphors. Communication between races is already difficult enough on its self usually. Who and what do you mean with the dying Nova birds? Are you referring to the Echani people?"

[Unknown Echani]

Duhiel seemed most confused by the reaction from the Praetorian senator, but then slowly it began to dawn on them that the senator hadn't the slightest clue what they were talking about.

"The Nova bird is the primary predator of Rilbidok, a reservation planet in our territories. It is the supreme ruler of it's skies. By misfortune, a parasite from another planet was introduced into the Rilbidok ecosystem and it is now spreading through the Nova bird population. The isolation of the Nova bird kept it safe, but it now has no defences against the parasite. Its long isolation from the rest of the galaxy may well be its downfall. The Echani people will not suffer the same fate."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"The situation is much clearer now. A most unfortunate situation on Rilbidok.

We understand why you have come out of the shadows and welcome your initiative. I think the Union is capable and willing to strengthen the Echani immune system through trade and friendship. We can tell you more about our view on the Mandalorian situation when we have more information ourselves."

[Nehket Aeka]

"It appears the Echani know well the value of information. If we seek an understanding, and possibly cooperation, we will both benefit from an exchange of information, as a token of good faith.

As minister of defence of the Union, I would like to know the military situation of both the Echani and the Mandalorians, as far as you are willing to share such information with us. In return, I can inform you on our estimates of Mandalorian troop strength?"

[Unknown Echani]

The Echani turned to Senator Nehket Aeka and nodded with understanding.

"The Echani have access to fifteen fleets, with associated ground armies. We are uncertain about the exact strength of the Mandalorian Fleets, but we estimate them to be around twenty fleets. The positions of our fleets and the last known positions of the Mandalorian Fleets are listed on this map."

Duhiel handed a datapad over to the senator. "Also contained on this datapad are details of our most commonly used weapons, vehicles and ships and our military communication frequencies and their associated encryption keys. We will additionally gift your people one of our ships so you may get familiar with our capabilities and technology.

It has been too long since our peoples have done serious battle with one another, so we should arrange one between our forces at the earliest possible opportunity."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"We appreciate the amount of information that your people are willing to share. If these encryption keys are all valid your people are taking a risk handing them over to us. I am happy that your people are willing to take this leap of faith and we will not forget this.

I suggest that we share what we have learned with our own people. We should meet again soon to discuss our options on exchanging embassies and military cooperation. Shall we meet again in two weeks? This should give us both some time to verify information and study the development of the Mandalorian situation."

Ardios Eldrilith hands Duriel a special holonet communicator.

"If any new information arises, in the upcoming two weeks, you can contact me directly using this holonet communicator that provides an encrypted secure link. Is it alright with you if we contact you on this device if we have new information?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"Wait.", senator Nehket Aeka rather abruptly interjected, "I would like to clarify something before we agree to meet again."

"Speaker Duhiel, do I understand you correctly if I understand that you just proposed to arrange a life-fire battle between our fleets?

Unless you intended this statement as an indication that you wished to engage in a sequence of war-games, a simulation of conflict, you should know this is not our way."

[Unknown Echani]

"This is acceptable to us." Duhiel stated as they accepted the communicator.

The Echani did seem surprised by the Veolian senators interjection.

"Do you not practice with your fleet?" they inquired, pausing a moment "Alright then, what would you propose?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"While I agree that life-fire exercise is the most genuine method to gain real combat experience, it does tend to kill those that are less experienced. This is a waste of potential soldiers, and therefore potential combat capability.

Because we do appreciate the impact of well-trained crews and commanders we have develop highly sophisticated virtual simulation models. These models interact with arrays of fighter cockpit replica's and recreated capital ship bridges. This way, we can train our troops in a multitude of scenario's and situations.

You might be interested in these techniques and technologies?"

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I Agree that it might be better to save our fleets for the real combat. If the Mandalorians start attacking we might need all the soldiers we can get. Training simulations are perfectly safe."

[Unknown Echani]

The Echani paused a moment and listened to the two Senators carefully. It was obvious that Duhiel had no clue how to react to this.

"We will consider your proposal." They finally decided.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Very well. We will meet again in two weeks."

Ardios bowed down shortly and went back to the ship.

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka bows as well, and returns to the ship.

((OOC: Can I consider this thread closed?))

[Mercury]

The Echani vessel took off synchronized with the Union vessel, and all seemed to be going well until the two senators got up to orbit.

"Warning:" - the computer warned "An incoming hyperspace signature has been detected."

Just as soon as it had finished, a huge vessel dropped out of hyperspace almost right on top of the small ship of the two Senators - at over a kilometer in its biggest dimension, this ship was easily a match in size to a Victory class Star Destroyer and from the looks of it, it had the guns to match!



For a moment it seemed like the entire meeting was a trap after all, but instead of opening fire, the ship came to a dead stop in relation to the senatorial vessel, powering down fully and disabling all systems. The sensors reported no life-signs on board - this had been an automated drop out of hyperspace and now it was dead in space.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

Ardios Eldrilith shortly discussed the situation with Nehket Aeka.
"Well this must be the ship that Duhiel mentioned. Their methods are interesting, but they do deliver. I guess we should bring it back with us to Union space. We do need at least a skeleton crew to fly this thing though. I think this is your area of expertise."

[Nehket Aeka]

"To be honest, I'm not sure I understand the Echani's intentions. For all I know this might very well be an elaborate trap. However, if the Echani wished us destroyed, it would be more efficient to send a manned vessel... Maybe they intend to remotely active the vessel once inside Union space.

However, if they are truly intent on cooperation or an alliance, and they do value information as much as I think, this gift might be intended to show us that they are willing to give up some of their secrets to gain our trust."

The veolian woman looked at the results of the scan of the vessel.

"I agree that we will need a skeleton crew to fly the vessel, but I do not think we should move it to a populated sector. I want to ascertain that there are no hidden devices, or hibernating programs before we proceed with analysis. I will arrange for two of our combat vessels to escort the gift, a skeleton crew to pilot it, and a group of technician to start a preliminary analysis in-flight."

Senator Nehket Aeka contacted one of the nearby fleets to give orders.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I will return to Union now and make sure the spies are deployed in Mandalorian territory."

Ardios returns to Union and initiates the spy mission into Mandalorian territory.


((OOC: Senator Nehket Aeka can join Ardios Eldrilith or travel with the military fleet.))

((OOC: How much ministry budget is this gonna cost?))

[Nehket Aeka]

((OOC: Will travel with military fleet.

Does a full analysis of the given vessel cost Defence Ministry budget (it might be a good hook to get some interesting techs off the ground later on)? And if so, how much?))

[Mercury]

((OOC: You both arrive safely and it is soon established the Echani vessel is not trapped or otherwise a set-up.

The Echani vessel can be studied to develop two new fleet technologies, one offensive and one defensive, each at a price of 5000 , the high cost resulting from the fact that most of the systems are completely alien to Union engineers. The exact details of these technologies will become available when the fleet rules are finished.

I'll get back on the spy mission with Brend tomorrow))