| The Great Aryyt't Play |
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"Unless you prefer to stand, which may also be the healthy option after such a long voyage, you can have seat there" Looth said, pointing at a blur of matter next to a shiny wooden table in the process of forming a chair to fit the emperor.
Looth approached a bar at the far end of the lounge and grabbed iced water for the three of them. He walked back to the table. "Instead of me going through details that may already have been explained by the good Emissary, I would be more than happy to answer any questions your Highness might have about the situation on the planet below us."
"Ah... matter replicators. Most impressive. Such technology sees extensive use in the first stages of planetary colonization, primarily for fabricating dwellings for the new arrivals." Julianus quickly shook his head before accepting his glass. "But I digress... thank you, Governor."
Deigning to stand after approaching the table, Julianus nodded as he looked out at Aryyt't, thousands of kilometers below the ship. He narrowed his eyes ever-so-slightly as he mulled over Looth's words. "She has explained the situation to me, yes. I discussed it with her in my throne room. The courtiers were... curious, to say the least."
"I understand. Hopefully, today, you will be able to make an assessment on the situation for yourselves" said Looth.
"If you do not have any questions for us at the moment, let us move on to the recent escalation, culminating in the antimatter explosion you witnessed, and who were behind it." Looth turned on a holographic projector. It displayed a symbol consisting of alien writing in a spiral. "This is the mark of the Holy Movement for the Restoration of the Light of the One Who Sees. We simply call them the Cabal. Tcsor, will you continue?" The Aryyt't briefly leaned his head backward to expose his throat, which was their way of nodding. "Our technology may seem... humble to you, but it only took us about 100 standard years to advance from a pre-industrial society to one capabale of FTL travel. Some Aryyt't don't agree that this has been desirable. The Cabal uses extreme measures to end Aryyt't civilisation as we know it. They want to revert to a simpler way of life, one of spirituality and what they call 'harmony'." Tcsor looked at the Governor. Looth nodded and changed the projection, which now showed a film on repeat. He continued. "Thank you Tcsor. These 'extreme measures' include accepting aid from neighbours of the Treecuu Star Empire, including antimatter devices. This film shows some kind of transport entering the Aryyt't atmosphere. We have calculated that it originates from the ANF or the UCP. We have made clear to them that we would consider it an act of war if they continue."
Julianus narrowed his eyes as he examined the sigil, keeping his skepticism and curiosity suppressed all the while. "Io's teeth... this does not bode well at all..."
"Have you verified the origin of the transport? Does anything of it yet survive to allow for a forensic examination?" The relatively young Emperor turned his gaze tiwards Tcsor, inclining his head gently in the process. "Perhaps a dialogue can be opened with these fanatics, friend. It would be difficult, but if there is anything my court and the Senate have taught me, it is that when the people are able to peacefully air their grievances, a path forward can be found." "As for technological progress, in time they can see the benefits interstellar travel and commerce would bring. Exchanges of medical knowledge, goods from far-off ports... even the eatablishment of their own private commune, should they simply desire to be left in peace."
Looth answered first.
"The transports never stay longer than a few moments. We have been able to scan the interior of the alien transports. They are armed with high-yield antimatter devices. Should we destroy them, or possibly even try to capture one, they would likely detonate, which could result in the destruction of the planet. Sadly we have no forensic evidence, other than our scans. We could share some of it with you, Emperor, but we would have to remove some of the data that could reveal the scanning capabilities of our most advanced ships. Not that we distrust you of course." Tcsor smiled warmly. "I was hoping you'd ask, Emperor! The Cabal naturally don't trust the Treecuu, as in their eyes it was them who started all this, so a neutral party could maybe enable us establishing a dialogue. We have a way of contacting their leadership, and I believe they would accept a meeting."
One of the Emperor's guards raised a bony brow beneath their helm out of curiosity, more than a little suspicious of Looth's demeanor. Honor and discipline, however, demanded they remain silent as the officials conversed.
"Antimatter devices... lovely. Complicates the situation even further. As for your data, Governor, I can understand wanting to remain cautious around an interstellar power you have only recently made contact with. That said, hopefully any worries may be put to rest in the coming months. Take as much time as is necessary." The Emperor chuckled softly as he turned to look at Tcsor. The little alien's enthusiasm was most infectious. "I would greatly appreciate that, Foreman. A third party providing neutral ground for all factions to talk peacefully would be the best option going forward."
The Governor did his best to look relieved.
"Great! I believe this could be the turning point of this unfortunate story." He looked at Tcsor. "Will you try to contact the Cabal? Perhaps a meeting can be arranged immediately?" Tcsor smiled and nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes!" The six-limb creature hurried away, leaving the others in the lounge. Looth spoke again. "I believe it will best if the Treecuu did not join this meeting, Emperor. If Tcsor is successful in establishing contact, you will be travelling without a Treecuu escort to the surface, if that is acceptable to you. They will likely let you bring your own security detail, as many guards as you like." Looth nodded towards the Emperor's guards.
"That is understandable, Governor. I can imagine that a sizable percentage of the civilian populace on Aryyt't believe you to be conquerors, so your caution is more than warranted."
The Emperor watched as Tcsor rushed out of the room, the tips of his claws lightly clacking on the table in front of him as he thought the situation over. "But I appreciate your concern. I'm certain my current retinue of four guardians should suffice. I'm certain the meeting with these extremists will end well. If there is one thing that can always be counted on, it is sentient life's capacity for reason." He gave the Treecuu officer an almost unnervingly cheerful grin, his sharp, pointed teeth somehow nonthreatening.
As the doors to the Observation Lounge closed behind him, Tcsor was immediately joined by Treecuu officers. They escorted him to a computer panel located somewhere in the centre of ship. The only thing he had to do when there was to wait. A preprogrammed message was sent as soon as he entered the room and was relayed through the Aryyt't satellite network. Tcsor didn't know if anyone would really bother to read the message, except maybe from those strange Drakari creatures, should they intercept it. Those android replicas would attend the meeting regardless.
He sighed. All this technology, fake life, and destruction... That was the Treecuu deal. They could rule on the planet's surface as much as they liked and leave the Aryyt't alone where they truly belonged: deep below the surface. Soon the Aryyt't would be free from all the heretic abuse of nature they called technology that disrupted the balance. True light would be restored. A minute later there was beep as the computer received the answer from the "Cabal". No one read it. Tcsor was escorted back to the Lounge. "Wonderful news everyone! They have accepted!" Tcsor was effervescent.
Emperor Julianus smiled happily as the small creature returned to the lounge. "Excellent! I look forward to the meeting, Tcsor! Will you be attending, if I may ask?"
The Emperor raised one of his bony brows slightly, as if to emphasize his question and curiosity. "If so, I look forward to hearing the varied perspectives that would come as a result." Meanwhile, aboard the Talon of Io, the crew in the bridge kept a close eye on the occupying fleet and all objects in orbit. The anti-matter bombardment from earlier understandably brought their guard up even moreso than it already was, the Captain lightly clutching the arms of his command throne when a communications officer spoke up. "My Lord, we're picking up comms traffic from the orbital satellites. Encryption is... surprisingly durable for its stage of development." "How soon can you and your team have it isolated and deciphered, Ensign?" "About three standard hours, give or take a few minutes. Why do you ask?" The ship's commander sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Because I can't shake the feeling we're being led on. Something isn't right here..." |
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