Echos of the Lost | Twilight Ascendancy - Vandalence Compact First Contact [243 BBT]

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Twilight Ascendancy,
3701 BBT,
Border of Drellun and Arc’hana,
Start of the 2nd Chemical War

-Last Transmission from Merchant Ship Candella Daw-

Received by Bottle Ship Dusklight

Transcription:
…ptain Wes Hilo of the merchant vessel Candella Daw. At roughly 09:67 AST Drellun and Arc’anan forces began engaging each other after entering the demilitarized zone near…ial Station. Multiple civilian ships were caught in the initial exchange. The Candella Daw subsequently took irreparable damage to its navigation system as…empted to flee. We have been locked on a path leading outside of known Twila-held space. Lik…ave been lost with all hands by the time anyone receives this message. It has been our greatest pleasure to serve. Hail Twilight. Hail Auren. Hail Retribution.

[Continues on to list names of all active crewmembers]

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// Maiago Cluster, Vandalence Compact
// Mooring Section 5A-27B
// 243 BBT / 1030 PSY
Captain Veronica Loraso | Commander Connor Karoso | Commander Elizabeth Vornadeo | Director Michael Hewitt

Flotilla Jacket Dagger Echo 192

Flotilla Jacket Dagger Echo 192 – Compact Navy 192nd Joint Diplomatic-Exploratory Flotilla
Mooring - Maiago Cluster, Horizon Gate, Level 58, Mooring Section 5A-27B
Flotilla Commanding Officer - Veronica Loraso - #90D4FF
Flotilla Executive Officer - Connor Karoso - #8064FF
Flotilla Master Chief - Francis Rorlordo - #FF7C90

Flotilla Diplomatic Officer - Elizabeth Vornadeo - #5EFF17
Flotilla Science Director - Michael Hewitt - #878FFF

“E” Unit Citation (1030 PSY)

SHIP MANIFEST

CNV Poetry in Motion
Conviction Class Battlecruiser | CB-2496 - FLAGSHIP

CNV Ours to Reason Why
Supremacy Class Landing Gunship Assault | LGA-1042

CNV Scythe of the Meek
Oyumi Class Light Carrier | CVL-6842

CNV Casket Case
Arquebus Class Guided Missile Cruiser | CG-18654

CNV Sailing Across Glass
Sickle Class Light Cruiser | CL-4285

CRV The Aspen Plank
Regent Pattern Research & Survey Vessel | RSV-5852

CNV Core Spirit
Estoc Pattern Frigate | FFH-23503

CNV Chain
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65212

CNV Spool
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65213

CNV Coil
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65214

CNV Bearing
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65215

CNV Fence
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65216

One of the smaller mooring sections of Horizon Gate, the 192nd Joint Diplomatic-Exploratory Flotilla had formed during the start of Operation Stalwart Shield, a long counter-piracy operation in the Voidsea. Ships on reserve duty rotated up to Maiago’s Horizon Gate to cool off from long tours of duty, upwards of a year. The Flotilla’s Commander Veronica Loraso, Flotilla Diplomatic Officer Elizabeth Vornadeo, and the Flotilla Science Director Michael Hewitt shared a table in the officer’s mess, reading over a peculiar communique.

“Deployment orders?”

“With a science attaché?”

“I just got it verified, it’s on the agenda for us.”

“Why Science?”

“Apparently the source of this information is from a ruined freighter up in Tackaeo. Just in case. They just assigned us one of those new LGAs for it. Got fairies, harpy gunships, and python landing ships. Should help us with investigations.”

“Why Diplo-”

“Oh don’t give me that, you know why you’re coming with, incase of first contact.”

“Ma’am, ships are ready and waiting on you.”

“That was fast, let’s go people. Take your food with you.”

// Edge of Twila Space
// CNV Poetry in Motion
// Combat Information Center
Captain Veronica Loraso

“Ma’am, arrived at target coordinates. Awaiting silverspace exit.”

“Go ahead and begin silverspace exit. Prepare for broadcast of message.”

“Message is ready.”

“FDC.”

“Go for FDC.”

“Prepare to sortie Satyr Early Warning. I want coverage, as much as you can give me.”

“Roger that.”

“This is the Conning Officer, this is the Conning Officer. All hands prepare for silverspace exit. Batten down hatches and strap yourselves in. Stations, report when ready.”

–Stations sound off their readiness as it occurs–

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Twilight Ascendency,
243 BBT,
Border of TwAs and Vandalence Compact Space,
Science Vessel Untold Light dispatched from the Transmutation

[Would you stop tinkering with that metal jaw of yours and pay attention?] The slight clinking noise that had been emanating from the Artificer’s helmet paused as he looked up, his dark face twisted in confusion, and lifted a mobile talk-light.
[Come again?]
[She said the briefing comes first, then you can get the clicker to work properly] Hellia nodded in confirmation. Illux shook his head.
[I don’t know where they pulled this thing out from, the whole interface’s all messed up. What’s the point seeing the briefing if the Worm Tongue fritzes out and we can’t communicate anymore?]
[Or you accidentally offend them…] The Emisarry looked towards Lua, who shrugged. [Fine, but you’re not going out there until you’ve seen what TAC has to say] Illux nodded before quickly going back to work. A screen on the Chronicler’s arm beeped, and she looked down as a cascade of lights flashes across it.
[We should be arriving at the Alumai’s designated stopping point within the next standard hour. I’ve requested the Alchemists prepare the language probe for launch ahead of our departure from their ship]
[Perfect. It’s strange, really. We were all chosen for our skills and proximity, but as we approach this rare occasion I feel as though there’s so much to do and so little time to get it done] Under her helmet, Lua smiled.
[Let us focus on finishing the briefing for now. The rest will follow]

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// Twilight Ascendancy Space
// CNV Poetry in Motion
// Combat Information Center
Captain Veronica Loraso

Flotilla Jacket Dagger Echo 192

Flotilla Jacket Dagger Echo 192 – Compact Navy 192nd Joint Diplomatic-Exploratory Flotilla
Mooring - Maiago Cluster, Horizon Gate, Level 58, Mooring Section 5A-27B
Flotilla Commanding Officer - Veronica Loraso - #90D4FF
Flotilla Executive Officer - Connor Karoso - #8064FF
Flotilla Master Chief - Francis Rorlordo - #FF7C90

Flotilla Diplomatic Officer - Elizabeth Vornadeo - #5EFF17
Flotilla Science Director - Michael Hewitt - #878FFF

“E” Unit Citation (1030 PSY)

SHIP MANIFEST

CNV Poetry in Motion
Conviction Class Battlecruiser | CB-2496 - FLAGSHIP

CNV Ours to Reason Why
Supremacy Class Landing Gunship Assault | LGA-1042

CNV Scythe of the Meek
Oyumi Class Light Carrier | CVL-6842

CNV Casket Case
Arquebus Class Guided Missile Cruiser | CG-18654

CNV Sailing Across Glass
Sickle Class Light Cruiser | CL-4285

CRV The Aspen Plank
Regent Pattern Research & Survey Vessel | RSV-5852

CNV Core Spirit
Estoc Pattern Frigate | FFH-23503

CNV Chain
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65212

CNV Spool
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65213

CNV Coil
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65214

CNV Bearing
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65215

CNV Fence
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65216

Exiting from Silverspace, the ships hummed silently before power was restored.

“Report!”

“FDC, Satyr Early Warning are touching off the flight deck now.”

“Radar reports one blip, contact.”

“Drive is coming out of a silverspace stall. Thrusters are being flushed before reignition.”

“Instruments are correct, we’re where the last coordinates are.”

“Broadcasting message.”

“Missile cells are fully flushed.”

// Message Blackbox
// Dated 1030 PSY

“This is the Compact Naval Vessel Poetry in Motion, undergoing a diplomatic and exploratory survey of the nearby systems and worlds. If you are able to hear this message, please respond.”

“Unknown ship, this is the Compact Naval Vessel Poetry in Motion. We are seeking out civilizations in this area, please respond immediately. We do not intend harm or violence.”

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TAC Minuteman Squad Penumbra
Hellia - Emissary
Illux - Artificer
Lua - Chronicler

The clicks being broadcasted by the alien vessel were accompanied by a soft scraping as Lua transcribed the message on her blackened tablet.
[Message was received without issue, communicators are compatible]
[Translation seems solid, based on the transmission their grammar is within tolerance]
Hellia clasped her hands behind her back as she strode up to the sensors, picking out the alien vessels on the screen. She turned back to her peers. [Alright everyone, ready yourselves. Chronicler, I’m sending the sensor logs to your station, I want recorded data of not just the conversation but their fleet as well. On the off chance they request a meeting in person, I’d ask that you get down their general features. Artificer, from my mark you are to observe a total communication blackout save for echoing my messages, I don’t want you subconsciously activating the clicker when you speak to us. The talk lights mounted to the ship are to be kept activated, I want them getting a sense of who we are] Illux clicked something into place on his helmet and nodded. To his left, Lua dipped her utensil in the light jar and readied her tablet. [Mark]

[Compact Naval Vessel Poetry in Motion, this is Artificer Illux communicating on behalf of Emissary Hellia, empowered by the Alchemic Order and the Lexia Corthos to represent the nation in these initial talks. We acknowledge your presence in our space and your peaceful intent. What is it you wish to discuss?]

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// Twilight Ascendancy Space
// CNV Poetry in Motion
// Combat Information Center
Captain Veronica Loraso | Commander Elizabeth Vornadeo

Flotilla Jacket Dagger Echo 192

Flotilla Jacket Dagger Echo 192 – Compact Navy 192nd Joint Diplomatic-Exploratory Flotilla
Mooring - Maiago Cluster, Horizon Gate, Level 58, Mooring Section 5A-27B
Flotilla Commanding Officer - Veronica Loraso - #90D4FF
Flotilla Executive Officer - Connor Karoso - #8064FF
Flotilla Master Chief - Francis Rorlordo - #FF7C90

Flotilla Diplomatic Officer - Elizabeth Vornadeo - #5EFF17
Flotilla Science Director - Michael Hewitt - #878FFF

“E” Unit Citation (1030 PSY)

SHIP MANIFEST

CNV Poetry in Motion
Conviction Class Battlecruiser | CB-2496 - FLAGSHIP

CNV Ours to Reason Why
Supremacy Class Landing Gunship Assault | LGA-1042

CNV Scythe of the Meek
Oyumi Class Light Carrier | CVL-6842

CNV Casket Case
Arquebus Class Guided Missile Cruiser | CG-18654

CNV Sailing Across Glass
Sickle Class Light Cruiser | CL-4285

CRV The Aspen Plank
Regent Pattern Research & Survey Vessel | RSV-5852

CNV Core Spirit
Estoc Pattern Frigate | FFH-23503

CNV Chain
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65212

CNV Spool
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65213

CNV Coil
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65214

CNV Bearing
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65215

CNV Fence
Partisan Pattern Light Corvette | FFL-65216

“IWC. Message received. Transferring it to the Diplo’s Terminal.”

“Received. Signal’s good.”

“FDC Recovery Officer. Satyr with mechanical issues, aborting launch. Clear the flight deck. Raise the barrier, EWC spin me a tractor cannon if they fail.”

“EWC, tractor cannon overlooking the Flight Deck is powering on.”

“Commander, what’re we looking at?”

“An emissary Hellia of an alchemical order.. Bits and pieces right now, the translator’s not a solid thing. This is a jank piece they pulled from a wreck.”

“Gonna channel my inner IST, have you tried kicking it or disconnecting it from power and then reconnecting it?”

“Yeah, kick the millenniums old translator that’s currently helping us decipher another language. Let me do that right now.”

Veronica raises her hands in mock surrender

“My bad, my bad. Do as you need. We’ll be waiting to hear the results.”

Meanwhile, at the CIC Watch Officer’s Station..

“Lieutenant Liroko, I am ready to relieve you.”

“Lieutenant Varsota, I am ready to be relieved. All standing orders remain. A Satyr had a mechanical issue and is being moved into the interior hangar. It landed through a barrier. First contacts protocols are still in effect.”

“Thank you Lieutenant Liroko, you are relieved.”

The two salute, before Lieutenant Liroko leaves the CIC and Varsota takes his place.

“Bridge, CIC.”

“Go ahead, CIC.”

“This is Lieutenant Varsota, I have the watch.”

“Very well, Lieutenant Varsota has the CIC Watch.”

“Artificer Illux, this is Commander Elizabeth Vornadeo of the Compact Office of Diplomatic Services. I request to speak to the highest relevant authority in your Diplomatic Service, for the purposes of establishing relations between our two nations. Thank you.”

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TAC Minuteman Squad Penumbra
Hellia - Emissary
Illux - Artificer
Lua - Chronicler

Hellia blinked under her helmet.
[They certainly seem eager to engage in diplomacy]
[Noted]
[Suppose there’s nothing for it but to strive forward and see what comes of this. Is there anything nearby cleared for B5 diplomacy?]
[There’s an old Alchemist station 32 light-years away from here, mostly used for storage in the contemporary era. Shouldn’t be a problem to secure its use]
[Alright. Send them its location, we can adjust the atmosphere once they arrive. Artificer Illux, prepare to transmit]
Illux crossed his arms in a sign of confirmation.
[Mark]
[Good tidings Commander, this is Artificer Illux communicating on behalf of Emissary Helia. You should have received the coordinates at which the highest diplomatic authority you are authorized to engage with shall meet with you. Upon your arrival, the area may be adjusted to allow you to survive unassisted, or you may choose to wear environmental suits if you so desire. While my companion and I shall remain to assist our diplomatic officer, she unfortunately will not be able to meet you in person on this occasion. It has been her honor to make contact with you, and she wishes you well in your proceedings. All that we ask is that you consider reducing the size of your military presence. While the Twilight Ascendency respects your right to security, the continued presence of military ships in our space may reflect unfavorably on you if deemed unreasonable. With that being said, may you walk that fine line that threads this universe together. We look forward to meeting you again]

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// Twilight Ascendancy Space
// CNV The Aspen Plank
// Action Information Center
Captain Veronica Loraso | Commander Elizabeth Vornadeo

“This place is cramped.”

“Well, you know this is one of those pre-modernized research vessels.”

“I knew I should’ve put The Aspen Plank into drydock to get it modernized first.”

“Something something ‘Pen is mightier than the sword’ and ‘peace through cooperation.’ You reap what you sow.”

“That’s on me. How’s our progress?”

“We’re about to drop out of silverspace. Strap in.”

“Conning here, all hands prepare for a silverspace exit. Batten down the hatches and secure yourselves, report when ready.”

// CNV The Aspen Plank
// Action Information Center

“That’s a bit close to the station.”

“I can’t control where we reappear during an uncontrolled shunt. Bite me.”

“CNV The Aspen Plank requesting docking or shuttle service to station. We’ll be wearing environmental suits.”

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For future reference:
“[Text]” Will denote the use of Civil Twillum
“|Text|” Will denote the use of Wormtongue

|CNV The Aspen Plank, docking rights have been granted. Environmental suits acknowledged. Enjoy your stay|

TAC Diplomatic Squad
Loone - TAC Regional Head
Illux - Artificer (Support role only)
Lua - Chronicler

Illux and Lua were already waiting in the hangar when the Regional Head entered, bearing a newly-fixed Worm Tongue on their helmet. They glanced around the chamber, seemingly sizing it up, before their glance appeared to settle on the two.
[Ah, Lua, a pleasure as always]: at this she nodded; [and that would make you Illux. You did well in initial communication, but your services are only being maintained in anticipation of the event there is a mechanical failure. Do not take it personally, you and Hellia are simply not experienced enough to fully engage in an issue of such magnitude]: he nodded as well, but somewhat slowly.
[We’ve received confirmation that the guests will stay within their own suits
[Not exactly a true face-to-face meeting, but I suppose that goes both ways]; Loone tilted their head.
[Perhaps their culture does not emphasize that in these kinds of meetings, although we shall soon find out. Ah, here they come now]
|On behalf of the Twilight Ascendancy, I offer you a formal welcome to our nation among the stars. I am Lun Loone, Regional Directer of the department of alien contact, and I believe you know my two assistants here. At your earliest convenience, I would suggest we make our way to the designated meeting room|

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// Twilight Ascendancy Space
Captain Veronica Loraso | Commander Elizabeth Vornadeo

“Veronica Loraso, Captain in service to the Compact Navy. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Elizabeth Vornadeo, Commander in service to the Compact Office of Diplomatic Services.”

One of Vornadeo’s assistants hands her box containing two items.

“As a custom, the crew of the ship making first contact presents a gift to the diplomat alongside the state’s own. This is a Robin made of aspen wood the damage control coordinator made.”

“Additionally, the Office of Diplomatic Services presents you with the key to the Takaeo Grounds, a diplomatic summit hall and the First Minister’s retreat.”

Handing over the box, she smiles and bows.

“Do lead the way, Director Loone. I suppose there is much to discuss.”

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|Why thank you, we did not expect such generosity on our first true meeting. I’m afraid any gift of reciprocity will have to be granted at a later time. Ah, but of course, if you’ll simply come along we should be there shortly…| Loone handed the two gifts to Lua, who carefully placed them in a pouch. [Illux, would you mind entertaining the guests while we make our way to the chamber? I’m afraid there wasn’t much time to memorize the station layout and I’d hate to lead us astray]
[Of course, Director] Illux turned back to the Compact Delegation. |Good tidings! I am Artificer Illux, as you will recall I was responsible for translating Emissary Hellia’s communications for you before Direct Loone took over these proceedings. Chronicler Lua remains for information archival and her knowledge on history, in case it becomes necessary to reference certain events. Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself, aren’t I? We are the twila, hailing from the Twilight Ascendancy that you now find yourselves in. Our people were first formed thousands of years ago, but I imagine our measurement of such things would differ from your own. The nuances of our government is perhaps too much for me to explain in such a short amount of time, but our society is structured around the ideals of merit, community, and science|
|We’ll be arriving shortly. Explain our languages, kindly. I’d hate to leave our guests in the dark|
|Of course. As you’ll have no doubt discerned, we make use of two languages in the Twilight Ascendancy, although that in itself may be a bit misleading. Our primary language is that of twillum, or more specifically civil twillum. You have already observed it in action in the flashes of light the Director and I have exchanged. However, in our travels we have rarely found a fellow terrestrial species that communicates primarily through light, so we found it best to use our more archaeological language, wormtongue. It permeates many of the ancient sites we have discovered in our space, such that it has been fully archived and revitalized as a viable language again. It is far from ideal, I know, none know it better than us, but it has served its purpose before and continues to do so now|
|Here we are. The station was refitted to an… office space, for lack of a better word, many years ago, but there remains spaces like these where one could sit down and talk. We were unsure of your bodily structure, so if the chairs prove uncomfortable we have prepared cushions from you. I know there is much to be desired, if you’ll excuse the condition for now you may understand our caution about taking a foreign power to a place of interest so soon in our communications|

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// Twilight Ascendancy Space
Captain Veronica Loraso | Commander Elizabeth Vornadeo

“How very interesting…”

The two take their seats.

“It is! A species versed near exclusively through flashes of light. I know a few of my colleagues would be interested in studying xeno-linguistics. Fascinating…”

“Vornadeo, you’re-”

“Yes, yes. Um. That’s fair. We really didn’t know much about this section of space before an archaeology team recovered a black box from a ruined out freighter to this location’s trailing. We checked with our friends from up-spin, and they said it wasn’t theirs, so we moved up here. Our interest in the region is purely exploratory and scientific. We should like to know more about this region of space, its peoples, its sciences, and perhaps it would be wise to create correspondence between our governments for further communication?”

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|Naturally. If you’ll excuse me a moment…| They turned to Lua, who had settled in the corner of the room. Although she was certainly a critical member of the team, her role encouraged her to be somewhat inconspicuous during the preceedings. [Any of that sound familiar?]
[There’s been several instances of shuttles being lost near our nearest border to what we can only presume to be the Compact’s space, but not many of them are promising. The only unrecovered freighters intact enough to have made it that far out would be the Needle Maker, Pallis Groa, Candella Daw, and Shere-27. Seeing as most of those disapeared during the Cruxis Null, it’s not garunteed we’d be able to positively identify it even with the black box]
[Any chance they found a pre-Ascendancy vessel?]
[That’d be highly unlikely, as of yet we’ve been unable to locate any Old Kind shuttles even within the borders of their own space, the chances of just stumbling across one adrift through space and finding your way back here are next to zero]
[Thank you] Loone turned back to their guests. |Thank you for your patience. Since our last contact with an alien race, certain elements of the Lexia Corthos have been eager to establish further contact with our stellar neighbors. I expect most information exchanges will go through without significant issue, and I can personally garuntee the establishment of communication channels between the Twilight Ascendancy and the Compact. For now, we’ll have to start with this| Loone reached into a pouch on their belt and pulled out a data chip. |On it you’ll find information regarding our time system to build a conversion off of. We figured it would be hard to hold any serious conversations on our histories otherwise|

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