- - -
POV: Arthur Sinclair. Two days later.
I stood before the Stargate on Mycena. The moment I had told everyone about the Celestial Forge activation, everyone was immediately gathered for a meeting.
To an extent, the fact that Astrocreator Azaryn decided to join us wasn't overly surprising. She had given us the tests that she normally tasked the player empire with in Stellaris. That being said, we barely counted as a nation, and she knew very little about us.
After a rather short round of deliberations, it was decided that we would wait for Azaryn to contact us before we made any further decisions. Sure enough, the next day she sent a message through the Curators. She wished to meet with our leaders.
So, after much deliberation, she met us on Nekhara. Mycena was also considered, but the concentration of Goa'uld tech was likely to result in a scare. Nekhara was the perfect place to meet her, as it would be a better demonstrator of what we were offering, while also not revealing all that much, since current plans were for the Manassas and the Cobalt Eye to the several months' long journey for Dendred.
So, as the gate finished dialing, we all watched on as the green plantoid creature walked out of the gate. She was… strange, and clearly alien in appearance. The glowing bulbs on her back simply added to the mystique surrounding her.
As she stepped forward and the Stargate deactivated behind her, President Pyrros stood forward to greet her. "Welcome. I am the current president of the Republic of Kaelastrum, Arriston Pyros."
She smiled and stepped forward. "Warm Greetings! Your people have proven your potential, and I wish to negotiate what I can provide."
The President smiled and nodded. "Of course. Please come this way."
We followed behind the two of them as we entered the SLS Somerset and into one of the more comfortable debriefing rooms.
"Please take a seat." The President gestured for Azaryn to take a seat across from him. She did so.
As everyone else seated themselves around the two of them, Azaryn began. "Now, you came looking for me in search of aid in terraforming a world, no?"
The President nodded. "Indeed, we did, but before that, we want your promise that you will tell no one of what we are about to show you."
She raised an eyebrow. "I would be happy to provide such a promise, though we both know it would mean very little."
Arriston smiled bitterly. "Your promise will have to be enough for now."
She nodded. "Very well then, you have my word that I will reveal nothing you are about to present to me."
The President was silent for several long moments before he pulled out a Compad and passed it across the table. On the screen was an image of a star with a silver ring surrounding the world.
Azaryn stared at it for several long moments before she looked up at Arriston. "Is this real?" You could hear the skepticism in her voice.
Arriston just nodded. "Click on the side of the compad and it will take you through other images."
She looked back down and immediately started scrolling through the several dozen pictures we had taken of Cybrex Alpha.
Azaryn stared down at the compad in wonder. "I had heard legends of such structures being left behind by precursors, but I always thought the idea of a Ringworld to be among the most fanciful of such tales."
She looked up at Arriston. "So what do you need from me?"
The President continued. "The creators of the structure left it rather blank. There are extensive controls for the atmosphere and the hydrosphere, but nothing for the planet's biosphere."
A look of understanding appeared on Azaryn's face. "I see. So that's why you were looking for me."
The President continued. "When we found it, the world was totally devoid of anything. Since then, we've activated the automated systems, and they are currently in the middle of rebuilding the atmosphere and hydrosphere to cover the world, but that isn't enough. We need to make the world livable if we hope to take advantage of the world."
Azaryn looked back down at the compad and continued sliding between the different images of the world. "Of all the projects I'd ever dreamed of, this would certainly be one of the largest. I could think of no greater task for my life's work."
She looked up, away from the Compad and up towards us. "Tell me about yourselves."
With a nod, Arriston explained the RoK. Azaryn appeared rather surprised the more that he spoke. Once he had finished explaining how the RoK existed, Azaryn was silent for several long moments. "How were you able to make the Flower bloom in such a short period?"
Arriston hesitated briefly, but answered nonetheless. "The star system is protected by a shield that prevents the escape of all electromagnetic radiation. It acts like a Dyson sphere, taking all the energy produced and transforming it into usable electricity."
Azaryn seemed to relax ever so slightly. "I see. I thought you were much more developed than you really are. Perhaps this is for the better. I wish to join you, but I have several requests."
The President nodded. "Ask away."
She nodded. "First, I want access to any resources you can provide. I understand that such will be rather limited, but I can work with what I am given. Second, you mentioned an academy, yes? I will teach what I know to any who are willing to learn, and you will help me spread my knowledge among your people."
Everyone at the table was silent. Arriston nodded. "Done." He smiled and reached his arm across the table, though I could see a slight hesitation in the way his hand trembled ever so slightly. Azaryn took it without any hesitation.
She stated she would return the next day in order to visit the Ringworld. In the meantime, she had to prepare her vessel to depart its current location.
- - -
Four Days Later.
I sat on board the Cobalt Eye. The last of the Dropships had docked at the Manassas a few hours prior. Down below, Nekhara had been wiped clean of any valuable material. Whether that be cultural or physical. This would likely be the last time I'd ever see the world. We were even taking the Stargate.
Everything was ready. All we needed to do now was wait for the radio signal. A few more minutes passed as I waited. I looked around the room to find the ship's crew hard at work. Most of them had been awakened a few weeks prior and given plenty of time to look over the ship's internals.
They had all acted a lot differently than I expected from SLDF members, though I guess the crew of the Manassas were known as the Lionhearts for a reason. The crew of the Cobalt Eye, on the other hand, were the cream of the crop. They all seemed to act strangely around me, and I really didn't know what to think of that.
Despite that, they all treated me with respect and, frankly, I didn't know what to think of them. As my thoughts ran wild, the radio crackled to life. "This is Captain James Cromwell. Initiate burn on my mark. 3, 2, 1, Mark."
With a jolt, I was shoved down into my seat as the ship accelerated. A good thirty seconds passed before the pilot on the other side of the room nodded. "All systems nominal. Clear to unbuckle."
Once more, the radio crackled. "Four days to flip point." [IDK what the actual name for this is. He's referring to the point where a ship in a brachistochrone burn where the ship flips 180 degrees and starts to decelerate. Lemme know what this is called.]
I stood up as the rest of the crew did the same. I took the elevator down to the cargo bay, where the Ring Transporter was set up, and ringed myself over to the Manassas. Waiting for me were the Elder and several of the mechanics.
It would be another nine days before the ship reached the system's zenith. From there, it would be 43 jumps before the ship reached Dendred. With access to naquadah, we significantly decreased the possibility of frying a subsystem. A ship could charge to its necessary level in just 42 hours, a 400% improvement on the previous 175-hour minimum.
- - -
POV: Kaela Arden. Voragine. Five Days later.
I took a deep breath as I spoke into the radio. "This is Kaela Arden. We're here to negotiate with Captain Jill Pearce."
A moment of silence passed before a reply came. "You are clear for entry. Proceed to the designated port docking bay."
The pilot looked up at me, and I nodded. With a gentle push, the ship moved forward. After a few brief moments, the Pax Magellanic, a ship of gold and green, came into view. I almost shuddered as I looked at the massive vessel. Even now, the strange, organic nature of the High Guard ship freaked me out.
The Tel'tak touched down in the hangar, and I made my way out the airlock. Waiting for me was the ship's AI and Captain. She nodded to me once as I exited the airlock. "Welcome back. Please, follow me."
I smiled wearily. "Thank you for having me."
I followed her to the same room that she had shown me to previously. The captain took a seat across from me, and I quickly sat down in the other available chair. Looking very relaxed, the captain began. "I suppose congratulations are in order."
I blinked at her. "They are?"
She chuckled. "I've been listening to what radio signals get through the Stargate. You've introduced a stable democracy and completed your first elections. If that isn't cause for celebration, then I don't know what is."
I blinked at her and coughed. Outright stating that she had been spying on us was not what I expected, though I suppose the fact that she wasn't hiding it was a rather large sign of trust. Smiling lightly, I nodded. "Well, thank you for the support. On to business?"
She nodded once for me to continue, and I did so. "We would be interested in buying flexis from you."
She blinked at me several times, her face remaining impassive. "Alright, what are you offering?"
"150% of the raw materials, as we gain access to those materials. As well as a complete history of the Systems Commonwealth up to the collapse of the Slipstream, as well as the status of all known Systems Commonwealth Warships."
Her relaxed demeanor melted away, and I once more met with a professional soldier. "I see. How many are you planning to buy?"
I almost gulped at my next words. "At least 100,000. Preferably more if you can supply them."
She nodded. "I can supply 25,000 immediately, but you're not offering enough."
She actually said yes? That was honestly surprising. As long as she said yes, it didn't really matter what we offered her, within reason, anyway. I kept my expression blank as she spoke. "Alright. What do you need?"
"I'd like to visit your world." Her words hit me like a brick wall. I almost gaped before I replied.
"I …cough… I need to contact my superiors before I can authorize anything, but I believe that will be acceptable." I kept my face as placid as I could during the conversation.
The Captain nodded once. "Good. I'll have the first 25,000 units ready for delivery by tomorrow."
The captain saw me off the ship. It was only after the ship had left the hangar that I finally let go. "YES!"
This had been exactly what we had been hoping for. Sure, there were risks, but just the risk of setting up our industrial base in the same system as the Pax was already massive. No, this would give us many opportunities to see how stable she was as an AI. Eventually, the hope was that she might join the RoK, though that wasn't expected for several years at least.
The pilot looked up at me in confusion; I just shook him off. It looked like I had some good news for the President at least.
- - -
POV: Cybrex Reconnaissance Vessel. Cybrex Alpha System.
Entering Shield. Scanning system. Cybrex Alpha Environment Management Systems activated.
Signs of Habitation Discovered. Stargate Identified. Goa'uld Tel'tak Identified. Goa'uld Al'kesh identified.
Observing…
Conclusion: Former Jaffa. Other groups identified.
Unknown Human civilization marked. Linguistic and Cultural similarities to Camelot.
Possible Colonial presence. Raptor Mk. II variant detected.
Cylon Radio Source detected. Identified as Centurion and Phobos Class Tech-Cruiser variants.
Mutual Cylon and Colonial presence confirmed. Possibility of Ascended interference increased.
Further observation necessary.