Daonlathas,
Ryccian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
28/07/1620

The Ryccian Foreign Minister was sipping her tea. Taun Liat, a Kaminoan female, had been one of the main architects of the government's efforts to open up to foreign states. As she drank it, she reflected on her decisions. To survive, the Empire must start knowing about what surrounds it. And, perhaps, also what is distant from it. The Stoinian Legate had requested a meeting. It pertained to a conflict somewhere in their territories. What was it now? The Venterans sieging a corn planet? She looked at her datapad. Oh, the Venterrans, and Cornucopia. What a silly mistake.

The Legate arrived to her office. It was beautifully decorated, with sleek black walls and miscellaneous items floating or affixed everywhere.

"Ah, Legate Sinclair. It is an honour to see you. Sit down, if you'd please. If you require anything, do speak with the robotic servant here. It can tend to a variety of needs. You may speak. What does your government wish us to discuss?"

The High Legate had no times for petty chit-chat and expected a sense of deeper concern. His nation was now at war and had been defeated over Cornucopia. He had worked so much here to achieve peace and cooperation with other star nations. Just when everything had been going well and perhaps peace might be achieved in his time, fate decided otherwise. He walked in sternly and didn't flinch at any distractions.

"It's High Legate Sinclair, Minister. And thank you for the offer, but the situation calls us to cut out any pleasantries."
He looked at the towering Kaminoan with a serious look and a certain fire in his eyes. Oh no, he didn't want any of these Ryccian pleasantries right now. These decadent people... Just when will they start realizing this universe isn't what it seems to be to them. Well, perhaps now they will.

"Minister Liat, As you already know, my star nation has just formally declared war on the Venterran Federation resulting their unprovoked attacks following the discovery of a wormhole in the Cornucopia system. The Stoinian Star Kingdom has been handed over to the military authorities to end this war as quickly as possible. Now, we request that you share any information on what you have on these Venterrans. Who and what they are? Where they are located? Those kinds of details."

Venterrans....these people were never heard of in the Ryccian Empire. Several scholars and government officials were, on the order of the Foreign Ministry, scouring through the ancient data sites from the days of the Old Empire. The Emperor had also joined in the search, assisting in these efforts from the royal archives. However, absolutely nothing of relevance had been found thus far .

"High Legate Sinclair, I am afraid to relay to you that we haven't a single clue regarding these 'Venterrans'. Their location, their appearance, their very existence...all of it is a mystery for us. Our scholars and officials are searching through various historical archives dating from the days of the Old Empire in order to see if we possess even an iota of knowledge. Even the Emperor, who has taken a peculiar interest in this dilemma, is assisting the search efforts. As of now, nothing of note has been reported to the Foreign Ministry nor to the government at-large"

So they didn't know anything? Nothing at all? Perhaps this was some sort of ploy to test the Stoinians somehow or let the barbarians be killed. No, I shall pry until I get something.

"Nothing? Nothing at all? I would expect the Ryccian Empire, the cradle of advanced civilization in the Sector as you put it, to have some knowledge on the star nations within the sector. Unless it means our calculations estimating the ends of the wormholes were incorrect..."

Sinclair pondered for a few more moments. Perhaps they were telling the truth. The calculations could be wrong and the Venterrans were coming from the other side of the galaxy.

"Perhaps a first step is for the Ryccian Empire to help us confirm that the Venterrans are coming from this Sector, A1-0. We have limited readings from our travels in the wormhole. We calculated the other end of the wormhole, but a second opinion couldn't hurt. If it is where we believe it to be, perhaps then your government can search more efficiently?"

"Our scientists specialized in wormhole physics and such can help you on this matter. We are interested in the whereabouts of these savages as well. The reports I and many in our government have read were bone-chilling, and thus we shall cooperate in anything you require. You must also recall our policy of isolationism until recently. Our state is grand and vast, but it had no interest in knowing from other countries that were not in its immediate vicinity, and refused to interact with them. Now that we are looking outward, the fog of this sector is beginning to lift, but it has not yet left our sight."

Sinclair took a portable holoprojector from the back of his pocket. Although sceptic at first, he had now grown accustomed to their usage. He clicked a few buttons and large projections filled the room. A section of the galaxy was cut out and focused upon. The known star nations to the Stoinian Star Kingdom were all given a distinct colour. The Stoinians were red, the Treecuu blueish, the Drakari brown and the Ryccians purple. The major powers of A1-0 as of current events. Sinclair clicked again and a red circle appeared south east to the Ryccian border. It was as close as 80 LY and as far 450 LY from the nearest Ryccian border, just south of the Imperial Rim.

"Needless to say, Minister. I suggest you no longer maintain such a hard stance on isolation such as your predecessors. From what we've gathered, they possibly are quite near to your own borders. The true size of their forces hasn't been yet revealed, so we must assume the worst."

Wh-What?!" The Minister clearly looked shocked, no matter how much she attempted to conceal it. These savages who had used the spines of their enemies as weapons, who had attacked for no reason...were right next door?! Possibly even a neighbouring state....?!

"....Seeing that the situation has changed considerably, it is in our vested interest to take a more proactive approach to your predicament. If you would be so kind, allow me to download a copy of the map file and transmit it as an urgent message to relevant officials."

Sinclair couldn't help it, but his soul grinned for a moment. Seeing a scared Kaminoan for once. However, his military training had masked him from even twitching his face. Perhaps now... Now... Will the Ryccian giant awake... Sinclair took a small chip out his holoprojector and gave it to the Minister.

"Given the situation, I will not oppose it. Times have changed now. Stoinian swords once more shall clash in battle, but don't let the Ryccians forget this one, Minister. Your people have slumbered long enough, it's time they took an active stance. For the sake of the survival of us all."

"....We shall see. Time only can tell us our fate. We shall take this information into consideration and determine whatever policy changes are adequate for the Empire"

This had the potential to bring down the entire political dichotomy of the Empire, even if the information could turn out to be false. The mass hysteria and sheer horror such a revelation would entail....Liat was already fearing an electoral defeat that has never been seen in the Empire. A tsunami of fear and panic, washing the pacifists out of everywhere. Liat had always been a pragmatist with an almost psychopathic zeal. She only cared for power and her standing, like many ambitious politicians in the Empire. She had prevailed as a pacifist in the polls. Well, if she had to survive, ideals could always be fluid. Intangible trinkets to feed the populace along with a healthy dose of charisma and speech. This had to remain secret if the government wanted to remain in power, at least for now. It has to.

"Anything else you wish to discuss or add, High Legate?"

"I think that will be all as of now. Perhaps as the war drags on we might come with more requests, but we'll have to see if the Venterrans continue to supply this incursion. Let me tell you this, Minister. I have been in a brutal war myself, but even I fear what this war has in store for us. Being in such positions isn't pretty at all. Smashing with rocks is one thing, but using each other's spine as a club is something else. I fear what is yet to come. It might be the fiercest war, second to our War at Home. If it proves to be such a war, we will stand up and fight once more as our forefathers did. And if..."

Sinclair stopped for a moment. The realization of what he was just about to say had shocked him. To lose his friends and family in the Star Kingdom, the very ideals he fought for... It was confronting, but he reclaimed himself. For the first time in his diplomatic career, fear could be heard in his voice.

"If we're to go into the night... Remember us. Remember those worthy of the name: Stoinian!"

"Understood. You may leave now, High Legate. Have a nice day"

This had the potential to destroy everything, and in more ways than one. The military high command was having a panic attack. The Cabinet was also having one, but for different reasons. This single file had sent shockwaves of unprecedented magnitude across the Imperial political and military elite. Now, the question to answer was: how do we deal with it?

"It's too late for that, but thank you for the gesture. Minister Liat."

Sinclair then clicked his heels together in an alternative military salute. Staring into the eyes of the Kaminoan. Though fear encompassed his thoughts, Sinclair, like any other true Stoinian, would face the challenge head on without any regrets. For when the Ryccians panicked as how to deal with this, the Stoinians already knew how all too well. The stoic and persevering way, that made them worthy of the name: Stoinian.
 

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*OOC Note: Credits to Ryccia for RP'ing the Ryccian Ambassador. Original conversation is posted in the A1-0 IC Discord channel.