Teaser Ship's Log: ASV Aurora; 11 March 2642. Captain Robert Dale recording. The Aurora
has been dispatched to support diplomatic contact missions in Universe F1S1. President Morgan and the Cabinet are hopeful that we can gain new allies since the Klingons have withdrawn from the war.A warm breakfast in the Lookout was always a welcome start to Robert's day. Hargert had set out breakfast sausages, eggs, and toast, and they all tasted delicious. He happily chowed down on them between glances at his digital reader.
Across from him, Angel was eating just as well. They exchanged knowing grins while Angel's foot rubbed up against his shins under the table.
"Is that supposed to mean something?", he asked her after swallowing. "This whole playing footsies thing?"
She maneuvered some sausage and egg on her plate with her fork. "I'm just enjoying toying with you."
"As if last night wasn't enough…" He ventured.
The smile was the most seductive Angel would ever put on for him. "Well, to be accurate, last night you were toying with me." The smile turned into a slight smirk. "There are advantages to that stuff Meridina is teaching you after all."
Warmth moved into Robert's cheeks. Angel's response was a pleased laugh. "It's fun. Making you blush."
"Well, so long as we're having fun." Robert took in another bite and glanced back to his reader.
"So. I haven't heard much about this universe. I mean, there's that colony we set up for some of the refugees and survivors from S4W8…" She finished working with her food and lifted a fork-full of egg and sausage toward her mouth. "What's the briefing say about this place?"
Robert swallowed. "Space-faring Humanity, no known alien species yet. Or at least no known sentient alien species. Apparently we're in the next millennium with these people. The mid-31st Century."
Angel kept chewing and nodded.
"Still, their advancement technologically is uneven. We have some advantages according to preliminary reports from our first contact missions. Better medical technology, faster computers, more robust power transfer systems. Some other things that aren't immediately relevant to our mission. Representative Willoughby will be doing most of the talking, we're here to back him up and give him something to show."
"So that's why we haven't even had a staff briefing about this?", Angel asked. "Because usually there is one."
"Well, it was a last minute sort of thing, we weren't supposed to arrive until tomorrow so that today's meeting would give everyone plenty of time to digest the information. Instead we'll be arriving there in an hour or so, and with everyone's schedules set for the day…" Robert shrugged. "I figured we might as well get our briefing directly from Emissary Willoughby."
Angel swallowed her food. "Well, it's not getting shot at by Nazis, so it works."
Robert smirked at that and nodded. "So…" He slid his fork around what was left of the eggs. "How's Cat?"
"Leo gave her a clean bill of health yesterday." Angel's mood was distinctly pleased over that. "The nerve damage wasn't permanent and is clearing up quickly."
"Great news."
"It is." Angel nodded. "So… after you get done with this first meeting…?"
"Meridina's practice sessions," he answered.
Angel's face fell. "Right."
"So to save time…" Robert took a quick bite, chewed it for a moment, and swallowed. "...let's just say we had our usual discussion about my… abilities, and the training?"
"Sure." Angel shook her head. "I'm trying, Robert. Honest to God, I am trying. It's just…"
"We've gone over that." Robert sighed and put his fork down. He reached across the table and took her hand. "I'm committed to making this all work, Angela. You and me. This training. This job. All of it."
"I know." She forced a smile to her face. "And that's why I'm able to put up with it."
"It's all I can ask you to."
Angel nodded. "So… anything else about these people?"
"Well…" He checked the time. "...you'll find out in about an hour." He pushed the mostly-finished plate away and scooped up the reader. "I'll be on the bridge."
"See you there," Angel pledged.
The medbay was the usual low hubbub of activity. A couple of Dorei were being treated across the room, an engineer had a nasty bump on the head, and Leo was fidgeting with a very uncooperative engineer.
"Dude, this really isn't necessary," Barnes protested. "Opani did a physical on me last year."
"So I read," Leo said, checking a scan result. "But the physicals are twice a year. And the medical regs are clear, first physical of the year has to be done by the end of March."
"That sounds dumb."
"With everything that can happen… it's not as dumb as you think." Leo shook his head. "Is there something in the water? I get this same attitude from almost all of you when it comes to your medical checkups and physicals."
"Maybe we just don't want to spent the time when we've got so much else to do?", Barnes proposed.
"So you don't want to spend time with me?" Leo put a hand on his heart. "Oh, stone cold, Tom. That's a dagger in the heart right there."
"Oh, come on, you know what I mean." Barnes crossed his arms. "It's one thing to hang out with you, it's another to be in here and it being all business and…"
Leo quietly sighed as Barnes kept going on. He was in better shape than Leo had expected. Leo noted the various little things - a change in his diet might be necessary to get his weight up - and put them all into the final physical report.
"...I get it man," Barnes continued. "I mean, you're a doctor, a great one, and you like doing the job. But you get so damn bossy about it sometimes. You and Julia. She's always nosing in too, acting like my mother sometimes…"
"Julia is a mother hen by nature," Leo stated.
"She likes to boss people around, that's what it is," Barnes insisted.
"I won't argue with that." Leo reached for a nearby dispenser and put on some rubbed gloves. "So now we're on to the awkward part."
"What do you…. oh.
Oh." Barnes frowned. "Seriously man?"
"It's part of the physical."
"But scans…"
"...can't beat physical inspections." Leo snapped the gloves on. "Okay, ready?"
"I have to turn my head and cough, right?"
"Yep." Leo flashed him a grin. "Do you want me to call Doctor Opani? Then it's a lady handling those bits."
"No. Just get it over with."
"Sure, here we go…"
The crew were in place on the bridge when Locarno began counting down to arrival. "Another new group of Human societies," Julia leaned back in her chair. "So we're not the lead on the diplomatic angle?"
"No. We're here to show the flag. Give the locals something to show them what we're made of, I guess." Robert tapped a key on his chair. "Mister Scott, I hate to impose, but we might have guests. How does Engineering look?"
"
Like she should, sir. Like she should. Ah'll get th' lads and lasses on t' polishin' an' cleanin' t' make sure."
"Thank you. Bridge out."
"We are dropping out of warp in five… four…"
The
Aurora glided out of warp right on course. The orbital space ahead of them had a few ships milling in orbit and at least one space station of sorts. The planet was a garden world, completely Earth-like, with four continents and three major metropolises.
"Put me on, Jarod." When Jarod's console let out the warbling tone of an open communication channel being established, Robert spoke. "This is Captain Robert Dale of the Alliance
Starship Aurora to orbital traffic control. We're requesting a geosynchronous orbit over the capital, if it can be provided."
A few moments later, a voice replied in a prim English-sounding accent. "Starship Aurora,
this is traffic control. We have you cleared. Proceed to orbital point of 30 kilometers over our signal."
"Roger that." Robert nodded to Nick.
"
We have you moving into position, Captain. Thank you." The voice stopped momentarily until it gave a final remark. "
On behalf of House Davion and the Federated Commonwealth, welcome to New Avalon."
Undiscovered Frontier
"The Measure of a Life"
Emissary Algernon Willoughby fit the stereotype of the fussy, stiff-upper-lip British professional. His balding crown of graying brown hair, perpetually-squinted dark eyes, and a gaunt build and expression gave him a severe look.
He stepped off of the transporter platform and accepted Robert's hand. "Captain Dale." He accepted Julia's next. "Commander Andreys. Thank you for your prompt response."
"We accelerated as soon as we got the message," Robert replied. "Of course, I'll have to brief my officers now instead of this evening as I planned."
"I shall handle the briefing, Captain. While I trust you have studied my reports, it might be best if I present the facts."
"I'll be glad to have your experience leading the briefing, sir." Robert gestured toward the door. "My staff is waiting for us to begin the briefing."
The conference room off the bridge was selected for the presentation. The command officers of the
Aurora and
Koenig were in mutual attendance, some conversing quietly as everyone found their places. "Everyone, this is Algernon Willoughsby. He's out first contact liaison with the government of the Federated Commonwealth and our diplomatic representative here until we formally exchange ambassadors." He nodded to Willoughsby and sat down.
Willoughsby activated the conference room holotank. It generated a starmap with the central point listed as "Earth". "Ah, yes. The Captain informs me you have not been briefed. So let me give you the pertinent information you need to have immediately. F1S1's Human civilizations are primarily settled within a 200 light year radius of Earth in this disc-shaped region they call 'the Inner Sphere'."
"Someone needs to teach the locals geometry," Barnes muttered.
That won him a stern look from Julia, who cleared her throat. Willoughsby was obviously annoyed, and just as obviously determined to hide the fact he was annoyed. "Politically they are divided into a handful of states organized upon what we are calling 'neo-feudalist' lines."
"Feudalist." Zack crossed his arms. "As in medieval Europe stuff with land grants in exchange for military service?" He looked to Jarod, who seemed bemused. "Yes, I paid attention in World History class," he added.
Willoughsby nodded. "Exactly. The Inner Sphere's societies each have a sort of feudalistic system with grants of land or wealth and titles for service. Local government can vary, and in some cases is little different from the town and city-level governments seen in the Allied Systems. But on the larger level, planets and regions are ruled by the nobility who swear fealty to higher lords. At the top of this pyramid are the Lords of the five Great Houses, each of which ruling a great power state by local reckoning. There used to be a sixth House, whom ruled Earth and its associated Terran Hegemony, but that House was exterminated nearly three hundred years ago. The Hegemony collapsed and was divided among the five surviving Houses." Willoughby's operation of the tank showed political divisions of the Inner Sphere. "This era also saw the collapse of what was called the Star League, a unified government of all of the Inner Sphere and Near Periphery star nations under the control of the Hegemony's ruling House, the Camerons."
The map clearly showed that one of the groupings held the most territory, occupying both the "southeast" and "northwest" sections of the disc. Seeing this, Jarod said, "Two of these Houses are merged now."
There was a show of annoyance on WIlloughby's face. "Yes, Commander. I was just getting to that." He cleared his throat and indicated the "southeast" portion of the map. "Five Houses, five powers. House Davion of the Federated Suns, House Liao of the Capellan Confederation, House Marik of the Free Worlds League, House Steiner of the Lyran Commonwealth, and House Kurita of the Draconis Combine." One by one he went clockwise around the map. "As you may note, Davion and Steiner have undergone a dynastic merger and formed the Federated Commonwealth."
"And those small nations…?", Caterina asked. "Like that little one between Davion and Liao, or the one up there between…"
"There are indeed two minor nations in existence besides the Houses. The St. Ives Compact is ruled by a member of House Liao who broke from her family and sided with the Davions. The Free Rasalhague Republic broke away from the Draconis Combine in the last generation after centuries of occupation and repression." Willoughby tapped the map. "Earth itself is under the control of an organization devoted to maintaining interstellar communications. They are called ComStar. If you wish to learn more about them, I have loaded information on the Inner Sphere into the ship's computers. As it stands, I wish to end this briefing soon so as to get to the point of your hastened arrival."
"Of course," Robert answered.
"I have spent the last several days setting the stage for your visit to New Avalon," Willoughby explained. "And I have done so at the explicit request of the ruler of the Federated Commonwealth, Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion."
"That's a mouthful," Barnes muttered.
Julia shot him a look.
Willoughby again ignored him contemptuously. "It was His Highness that requested your arrival be expedited."
Robert's interest was piqued. "Do you know why?"
"I am afraid not." The admission clearly rankled. "This is a matter His Highness has been keeping to himself and his advisors. I did discuss the issue with Admiral Maran and he has stated confidence in your ability to provide whatever assistance is required."
"We'll do what we can," Julia promised.
"It will most likely involve a demonstration of our technology. The better the demonstration, the more likely we are to win Commonwealth support in the war effort." Willoughby turned off the holotank. "While their naval capabilities leave a lot to be desired, the Houses all field large armies that would be of use in holding Reich forces in check during planetary campaigns. They make use of these large armored walkers… ah, you shall see, but I'm afraid I must keep going. It is hoped we might persuade some of the Houses to side with us in exchange for technological assistance."
"We'll do what we can," Robert assured him. "But it might help to know what he expects."
"It may be medical," Willoughby admitted. He looked to Leo. "I've been asked to bring a medical officer back down with me."
"I'll be happy to help," Leo answered.
"Ah. Splendid." Willoughby checked his time piece. "Captain, if you and Doctor Gillam would accompany me?"
"We're expected?", Robert inquired. "
Now?"
"Yes, we are."
That made him scramble to think of the team layout. "Alright. I'll be down shortly with Doctor Gilliam and Commander Meridina." He looked to the others. "This briefing is adjourned."
As soon as they stood up, Julia looked to Barnes with a frown. He noticed it and a sullen look came over his face. He knew he was in for another lecture.
Rounding the head of the table, Scotty stepped up beside Julia. "Allow me, lass. I'll straighten him out for ye."
Julia nodded. "He's your subordinate, Mister Scott. And thank you."
"Isnae easy, is it?", the old engineer asked. "Bein' in charge of friends like this."
"I'm okay with being in charge," Julia answered. She turned her head and faced him with a sad expression. "But I know it puts a strain on our old friendships whenever I have to put my foot down."
"Like I said. I'll get Tom's head on straight. Lad's still got some growin' up t' do." Scotty continued on.
"Don't we all," Julia sighed.
Robert quickly stopped by his quarters to change into his formal dress uniform. It was not something he enjoyed, and it seemed a time-honored complaint of everyone in any service to have to put up with the uniforms.
He could at least be proud in how quickly he put the thing on, golden tassel epaulets and all.
Willoughby was waiting for him outside of his quarters, at his request. "You wanted to see me, Captain?"
"Yes." Robert began walking toward the nearest transporter station. He brought up his arm and activated his multi-device, calling up the holographic map of the Inner Sphere. "So you said five houses, two of them having merged, and two minor states in the Inner Sphere."
"I did."
Robert pointed to the "north" part of the map. "Then what is this?"
The northern part of the Inner Sphere included four wedge-shaped regions between the Lyrans and Draconians… Draconese?
Whatever you call people from the Combine, Robert thought. "Who are they?", Robert asked. "Because four buffer states is a bit much."
Willoughby frowned. "That's a delicate matter, Captain. It involves the Inner Sphere's security and the complicated situation between the Houses."
"I'm listening." Robert lowered his arm, disengaging the holographic projection in the process.'
"The Inner Sphere knows them as the Clans," Willoughby explained. "They invaded at the beginning of this decade from somewhere toward the Galactic Core."
"Humans too?"
"Yes." Willoughby nodded. "It has been discovered that they are the descendants of the old Star League Defense Force, the main armed forces of the Star League before its collapse. A charismatic commander in charge of this army, one Aleksandr Kerensky, persuaded most of those still in it, as well as their families, to depart the Inner Sphere with him when it became clear that the Great Houses were going to wage war over the leadership of the broken League. Apparently his successors underwent a radical social transformation and have become committed to the conquest of their ancestors' homeworlds." Willoughby's tone and feelings on the matter made Robert ponder that he was understating what the Clans were, in the true fashion of a British understatement.
"Your information includes a write-up on them, right?"
"What I could find out, yes. His Highness has been forthcoming about the Clan threat. He fought their invasion from the frontlines and is concerned about the threat they might pose."
"But it's not what he wants to see us about?"
"I am quite certain it is not."
Willoughby finished his sentence as they stepped into the transporter station. Leo and Meridina were already waiting and uniformed. As always, Meridina carried her
lakesh. "We are ready to transport, sir," a young man at the controls stated.
"Good. Let's get down there and find out what this is about."
The four materialized in a large hanger. Robert's immediate thought was that it housed large shuttles or aircraft. But as he took in the honor guard of men in formal uniform with rifles at parade rest, it was the sight behind them that was the most interesting.
The hanger was not for aircraft after all. On each side of the hanger were bays fitted with electric hoist ladders and lifting platforms, and in each bay were large humanoid-shaped machines. Each had several visible weapons on their hands, arms, and torsos, ranging from large-caliber muzzles to batteries of missile launchers. They were painted in blue and white coloring with a ghost insignia painted on many. Others had earthier colors of brown and gold marking them. Robert recognized from briefing materials the sunburst-and-armored-fist insignia of the Federated Commonwealth, while some retained a sunburst-and-sword insignia instead.
That would mean that the fist comes from the Lyran insignia?, Robert pondered.
"Walking tanks," Leo murmured. "Damn." The latter word was a whisper only Robert could hear.
The honor guard remained at attention to each side. Along with the rifles they held at parade rest, the officers were wearing ceremonial swords and, to Robert's momentary disbelief, spurs on their boots.
On the other end of the lines of male and female soldiers was a group of individuals. One was clad in a simple suit, mostly dark in coloring, and Robert could sense the slight unease rolling off him joined by a tinge of suspicion. He eyed them over thoroughly and fixed his gaze, for an extra second or so, on Meridina's
lakesh hilt on her belt.
The second man was more curious than uneased by their arrival. He was looking at them intently all the same and Robert had the feeling he, Leo, and Meridina were being sized up to some degree. The man in question had a full beard and mustache and light brown hair, while his uniform marked him as a Colonel in the FedCom military.
That left the third and final one, standing between these two men. He had the sharpest and most-decorated uniform, with a groomed head of blond hair that almost emulated Robert's own preferred haircut. Blue eyes met his and Robert's gift sensed a mix of curiosity, unease, uncertainty… but leavened heavily with a dose of confidence. He got the feeling a decision had been made. It had not been made easily, but now that it had been, it was going to be followed through.
The most astonishing thing about the third figure, arguably, was his height. Robert towered over him by at least 9 inches. He looked to be about Cat's height, all things said, even if he was clearly more built out.
Robert figured he was due to speak first. Recalling Willoughby's use of address, Robert said, "Your Highness, thank you for welcoming us to your world."
As Robert considered how to do the introduction, the short man replied with an accent that was more German than English. "I may have you to thank, Captain…"
At that, Robert decided not to worry about the decorum of offering a hand compared to bowing or what have you. He extended his hand toward the shorter man. "Captain Robert Dale, Alliance
Starship Aurora." He could feel the disapproval of Willoughby to that gesture.
The reply was initially a nod. And, much to Robert's surprise, the hand was accepted. "I am Prince Victor Steiner-Davion. Welcome to New Avalon, Captain."
"Thank you, Highness." He gestured to Leo and Meridina next. "These are two of my officers. Emissary Willoughby indicated you wished to meet one of my medical officers, so this is Doctor Leonard Gillam, my Chief Medical Officer. And Commander Meridina is my Chief of Security."
"Doctor. Commander." A handshake was offered again. Willoughby seemed to be stunned at the apparent informality. "A pleasure."
"Highness." Leo accepted the handshake.
"Highness, greetings." Meridina bowed her head slightly in respect during the handshake.
With that introduction complete, Victor introduced those with him, gesturing to either side. "My personal aide, Kommandant Gerald Cranston, and Mr. Curaitis, my security advisor."
Robert was the first to take their hands. Cranston was the bearded officer, Curaitis the dark-clad man.
After the rounds of handshakes finished, Victor indicated a nearby VTOL craft large enough to carry all seven of them, plus a bodyguard for Victor. "I know you are curious why I asked for your arrival to be moved up. If you will please follow me, I will show you. My personal craft is waiting to airlift us to the NAIS Hospital."
"NAIS?", Robert asked.
"The New Avalon Institute of Science, Captain," Willoughby answered. "One of the top centers of scientific study and learning in the Inner Sphere."
"Ah."
And so we get closer to why we're down here. "After you then, Highness."
Barnes had made it to Engineering before Scotty came to him. "Over here, lad," he said urgently, just as Barnes was about to look over the sensors on the impulse manifolds.
Barnes nodded and followed his mentor into the main engineering office, across from the banks of naqia reactors that powered the ship's main systems.
Scotty waited until the door closed behind Barnes. "Well, lad. Ah think ye ken what Ah brought ye in here for."
Barnes let out a sigh. "My big mouth at the meeting."
"Aye." Scotty nodded. He didn't seem disappointed or angry, but Barnes could tell he was still unsettled. "Lad, ye're one of th' most natural engineers I've ever trained. Ye've got th' stuff t' be th' finest of yer generation. But ye need t' think about things sometimes, lad. Ye cannae just go mouthin' off with diplomats an' others like that."
A frustrated look came to Barnes. He ran a head through his red hair. "Yeah, I know, Scotty, I know. It's just… that guy was so pompous. This whole thing is dumb, the 'Highness' this and 'Majesty' that. Princes and stuff. So I have to laugh."
"Lad, ye've yet t' see th' things I've dealt with in my career," Scotty replied. "And ye have t' know, Tom, that sometimes ye just have t' keep yer mouth
shut. Ye widnae like it if someone made fun o'
yer things, wud ye?"
"Are you kidding?
I make fun of my things. Anything can be ridiculous and stupid." Barnes noticed Scotty wasn't pleased with that and sighed. "Okay, I get it. I make fun of the wrong thing and we end up in a holy war, so I have to watch my mouth."
"That's exactly my point, Tom." Scotty smiled thinly. "An' ye should remember, lad, that I'm a Scotsman myself, an' we had our own kings an' quins. Some of 'em were our finest heroes."
"Eh, it's the American in me," Barnes said flippantly. "Royalty is something to laugh at."
"Just so long as ye're daein' yer laughin' in private, then. So ye dinnae cause trouble. Alright?" Scotty gave him an expectant look. His point had been made.
It was also completely clear. Barnes knew he couldn't just wave it off. "Yes sir," he replied. "I understand."
"Good. Now, lad, I need someone t' take a good look at…"
The VTOL departed the palace and flew over the airspace of Avalon City. The Davion capitol had skyscrapers and structures that looked futuristic, at least to Robert's 21st Century aesthetics, with curves along the buildings and their tendency to taper inward along the top. Below a large patch of greenery marked a central park.
"That is the Davion Peace Park," Prince VIctor noted. "A tour may be possible at a later time."
"I'd enjoy that," Robert replied. Not in English, but his best German. "You are a German speaker first, yes?"
Victor replied with a nod. "
Ja."
"My grandmother was German," Robert answered. "I learned the language from the time I was four."
"It explains your accent, your English is unlike your subordinates."
Robert looked to Leo and smiled. "Doctor Gilliam is from Georgia, in the Southeast US of our world. I am from Kansas. My English is very much a Midwestern accent. You will hear more of that accent if you meet my command staff." He looked over to Meridina. "As for Commander Meridina, she is Gersallian. Not Human."
Leo gave him a look of bemusement and a bit of annoyance. Meridina followed the conversation with interest, aided by her auto-translator.
Victor and his staff - Cranston and Curaitis presumably knew enough German to realize what Robert had said - looked over Meridina with curiosity. "My people resemble Humans externally, yes," she said, her formal tone in that lilting accent that made Robert think of Irish mixed with the Oklahoma-born Cherokee he had occasionally met when he was young. "It is a wonder of the cosmos that our species are so alike."
"There are other alien species that closely resemble Humans," Robert said, switching back to English. "It's a mystery biologists are still seeking to solve."
Victor nodded. A diplomatic smile crossed his face. "I look forward to learning more about your Multiverse, Captain. It seems to be an incredible place."
"It's far beyond anything I expected to see growing up on the family farm," Robert replied. "But I wouldn't miss it for anything."
