Sat Nov 17, 2012 7:11 pm by Trask
[quote="Plu Or'dinii":2kf2oi6p][Bridge, Bes'bavar-class assault cruiser, in orbit over Nirauan][npc name=Lt. Aqua:2kf2oi6p][narration:2kf2oi6p]Seconds later, the Mandalorian flagship's external lights began to wink in a strange pattern which was repeated three times. Even if none of the Chiss could interpret Mon Calamari blink code, it should have been recognizable as a defined, linguistic pattern and an attempt to communicate.[/narration:2kf2oi6p]
[list:2kf2oi6p][i:2kf2oi6p]THIS IS CAPT VEVUT MANDO CLAN ORDINII
[action:2kf2oi6p]pause[/action:2kf2oi6p]
ACTION AGAISNT NIRUAUN IS POSSIBLE ACT OF WAR
[action:2kf2oi6p]pause[/action:2kf2oi6p]
PLEASE MAKE CONTACT WISH TO AVOID HOSTILITIES[/i:2kf2oi6p][/list:u:2kf2oi6p][/npc:2kf2oi6p][/quote:2kf2oi6p]
"What in blazes is that warship doing?" [narration:2kf2oi6p]Very nearly glaring out the forward viewport, Damas' mood was significantly more foul now that he had taken a brief amount of time to partially review the sensor data sent from the phalanx hand in the brief time between the hand dropping it's jamming, in compliance with the cease and desist order, and the springhawk picking it back up, for security's sake. Damas directed his query at the ship's diplomatic officer, a chiss by the name of Formas. He was a tall, slender man that somehow still managed to be shorter than the commander himself, and was garbed in the flowing gold and black garments of a Chaf diplomat, though the black accents had been an addition of his own.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "Perhaps he is attempting to communicate. If memory serves, there are several outside species that utilize such methods. This particular pattern brings to mind a method I once observed a mon calamari captain demonstrate."
[narration:2kf2oi6p]Damas eyed the officer sideways, a sign of just how irritating Formas' memory could be, then turned to one of the bridge officers and barked an order.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "Search the archives for anything resembling mon calamari blink code. I want to know what they're saying." [narration:2kf2oi6p]As the officer turned, Formas raised a hand and cleared his throat.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "What is it?" "If I may, I believe my recollection is clear enough to offer a rudimentary translation." "Fine. What's he saying?" [narration:2kf2oi6p]Formas turned to a nearby console and called up a replay of the blinking lights, then after a study of the entire message turned back to the commander.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "It seems the sender is a Captain by the name of Vevut, and a member of the mandalorian clan Ordinii. They seem to think we have started a war and would like to speak with us in the hopes of avoiding further hostilities." [narration:2kf2oi6p]Then almost as an afterthought, he added...[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "If memory serves."
[narration:2kf2oi6p]The man's ego was insufferable. In all likelihood, he could have deciphered the meaning of the message without any reference point within the hour, and he was somehow afraid his memory may be faltering? Csilla would melt before that happened. No, that final statement had not been made in the belief that he may be incorrect, but rather it had simply been added as an attempt at false modesty, as poorly concealed as every other attempt he'd made at it since being assigned to Damas. In short, Formas was a genius, even among the chiss, and everyone, especially him, knew it.[/narration:2kf2oi6p]
[narration:2kf2oi6p]Turning back to the viewport, Damas studied the mandalorian fleet briefly.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "Comm, Deactivate hyperwave jamming and send burst package beta to the nearest exploratory fleet, then reactivate." "Yes sir." [narration:2kf2oi6p]A pause while the message is sent.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "Done sir." "Excellent. Now get me a connection with that warship. Line of sight laser comms only, maintain jamming." "Connection established."
[comlink:2kf2oi6p]Captain Vevut, this is Force Commander Damas of the Chiss Ascendancy. The former ruler of this world, a man by the name of Benjamin Shar Jinn, has been bested in combat and fled the system, leaving this world in the hands of the Ascendancy by right of conquest. If you are an ally of his then this need go no further and you will be allowed to withdraw peacfully; but make no mistake, this world is now a colony of the Chiss Ascendancy and will be defended as such.[/comlink:2kf2oi6p]
"If I may..." [narration:2kf2oi6p]Formas' words were uttered only after transmission had stopped, and were kept low for the commanders ears only.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "What is it?" "Perhaps that was not the wisest choice of words. Using such concrete terms in the opening stages of a negotiation leaves little room for adaptation later on." "This is not a negotiation Formas. We both know the value of what's down on that planet, and now that we have the chance to seize it, can we afford to let it go?" [narration:2kf2oi6p]A pause as Formas considered.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "No, I suppose not." "Then we are in agreement about how to proceed?" [narration:2kf2oi6p]Another short pause.[/narration:2kf2oi6p] "We are." "Good."