The Walkers, updated 9-28-03

[chewy027]

Thanks for the info oleg, i'll have to update the story accordingly and keep that in mind for future installments....

2400.9 – 2401.1 ~ Discovery and Deceit

“Perhaps there was some mistake,” thought Lord Chagnon as he traversed the steps to the High Command conference room a few days later. “It doesn’t make sense for them to just attack us for no reason, there had to have been a mistake, we must have aggravated them in some way.” These were the thoughts that had been going through his mind the past few days. The crew of Revelation One had been the first Vandron killed maliciously in over 2000 years. It was almost unthinkable to believe that that crew had been destroyed in the fashion that they were. Yet, there the High Command was, about to debate what should be done with this new threat from the Vando system. Vice Lord Defcon had already put three escort class Angel defense ships on notice to be prepared for an attack should these Terrans try anything. Meanwhile a new frigate class Vigilance defense ship was in the final stages of production. Both types of ships carried shields, however, the Vigilance ships had an extra set of depleted uranium cannons to bring added firepower to a fight. It was with these actions in mind that Defcon opened up the talks.
“We must be prepared for whatever lies ahead” he said with a grim expression. “We should continue to produce our new frigate class ships, and we should continue with our research into those projectile weapons. Junon, you’ve had some ideas about new improvements that can be made there have you not?”
“Yes, indeed Defcon” Junon answered with a smile. “I think we can still improve on the amount of damage that they will be able to deal by increasing the velocity from which they are fired. Perhaps we may even be able to increase there range as well.”
“Very well Junon” came the tired answer from Lord Chagnon, “continue research into these weapons. I feel it is indeed wise to prepare for any threat that may come our way. Likewise, continue production on our new class of ships. I do not want any more needless deaths on our hands. For that matter, no more defenseless ships will be sent into the great beyond, and all colony ships will have armed escorts.”
“A wise plan my Lord,” offered Exnon, and then went on “Maybe we should explore some of the other wormholes leading into and out of our home system.” He added quickly, “it would be a wise defensive precaution to take.”
“I agree,” noted Defcon “I have thought the same thing about that wormhole to the north of us. I think it may be wise to send the three ships I have on standby through that wormhole to discover what my lie on the other side. It may even lead to another Terran system, in which case, we would be able to try to come to some sort of settlement.”
“Or even an empty system that we may be able to colonize, and continue our search for the Almighty” put in Exnon.
“Yes, I do see the wisdom in that” agreed Chagnon. “However, I do not wish to precipitate any more violence.”
“But Chagnon, these ships are well armed and shielded. They will be able to stand up to whatever they may find.” Defcon argued.
“Though I do not wish to loose more Vandron lives, I do agree that knowing what is on the other side of that wormhole would be advantageous. Defcon, are you certain that those ships could handle an attack like Revelation One sustained?”
“Without a doubt, sir” Defcon said with an air of confidence. “In fact, we have been running simulations going over just that scenario, and it seems that we would not even take any damage if were to come up against a similar attack.”
“Very well then, give the order to send the three ships through. And make sure that production on those new vessels does not fall behind.” With that Chagnon dismissed them and retired back to his quarters.

It was a welcome sight…a system devoid of any signs of a Terran presence. In fact, it seems that Exnon’s hunch was correct; there were indeed two partially colonizable planets and two rock planets with a carbon dioxide atmosphere that would be fully colonizable if the technology was available. There were also two more wormholes in the northern portion of the system, neither of which seemed to lead to Terran space. The system was named Parvenium, after one of the great Vandron leaders of old. After the system had been adequately scanned, and the beacons had been positioned, it was decided that the three ship battle group, named the Host of Heaven, would continue through the northwestern wormhole into another system that seemed to be part of their star cluster.
In the meantime, the first of the Aquilaeian shipments arrived. The deal was indeed beneficial to the Vandron, as they received much needed resources, and it was decided to increase the trade percentages accordingly. Plans were drawn up for resource storage facilities so that none of these resources would be wasted, and it was decided that one of the future colonies in the Parvenium system, if not resource rich itself, would become a storage colony. At the same time, another level of projectile weapons had been reached, and the focus was turned toward developing more efficient ion engines to propel the Vandron vessels, and increase the distance they would be able to travel before having to re-supply. Also, the first of the vigilance class frigates was completed and put on standby in orbit of Serenity; they would not be caught unprepared by a Terran attack again. However, it seemed that the Vandron would not be left alone by the Terrans, as a message was being broadcast to the beacon left in that system. It seemed that, while the specifics of the system could not be ascertained without a ship present, they still could receive transmissions through the beacon that had been dropped there. It was over this transmission that the High Command was currently having an intense discussion.
“They are trying to deceive us” argued Defcon. “It is the same type of tactic the Cindron used to lure their enemies into a false sense of security.”
“It may be, but for a chance at peace…” Lord Chagnon’s voice trailed off, “but still, I see the wisdom in what you are saying Defcon. It does not make sense that these…these Terrans would attack us and then turn around and offer us a trade alliance. Not even the Cindron were that blatant.”
“P…perhaps they were only trying to t…test us in that initial a…attack. Maybe when they s…saw that we were unarmed they had a ch…change of h…heart” offered Vice Lord Mandron, as nervous as ever.
“Perhaps Mandron” Junon cut in, “or perhaps they have seen what they perceive as a weakness and they wish to exploit us. After all, our ship did just sit there and do nothing until it was attacked. Maybe they think that they will be able to get close to us with an offer like this.”
“Exactly my point Junon” agreed Defcon “they will use this trade alliance to get close to us.”
“But they may genuinely want peace” put in Exnon. “Perhaps they simply made a mistake. Maybe they mistook us for a different race.”
“That may also be the case,” agreed Chagnon “but it may not. It appears to me that we are at an impasse with theses Terrans; we can not trust them, yet we want to have peace.”
“At least one thing is clear,” Exnon said, with a smile creeping to his face, “the Almighty certainly wasn’t a Terran.”
After a light laugh the High Command decided that in light of the previous events, though peace was the desired end, the trade alliance could not be accepted at this time. This much was said in the message transmitted back to the Terran Confederacy. They gave no reply.

Meanwhile, the Host of Heaven was busy charting the rest of the systems in their star cluster, and the entanglement of wormholes that connected them, when they came upon another race. These sentients were the Rebel Alliance and they resembled the Terrans in their speech. However, unlike previous encounters with the Aquilaeians and Terrans, the order was given to transmit a message of peace and declare that the Vandron’s purpose was to merely explore these systems. To this there was no reply, nor any trouble from the Rebel colony present in the system. Therefore the battle group continued on scouting the systems, finding two systems inhabited by Aquilaeians and another by this new Rebel race. It was after this second Rebel system was found that the three Angels had there first taste of combat.