History of the Galaxy, part 1-Story Thread

[geoschmo]

Year 2405.2

Are you a healthy man or woman between the ages of 17 and 24?
Are you looking for a career with excitment, adventure, and plenty of room for advancment?
Do you want to make a difference with your life?

Join the Space Marines and help take the fight to the Bugs!

Earn the respect and gratitude of your friends and family. And take home 495 a month after taxes doing it. No advanced education or experince required. Visit your local recuiting office today.

Your republic needs you!

----------------------

Grandow reviewed the invasion plans. He had already made the final decision to go with the plan, and construction had begun on the combat vehicles two months before. Recruiting was well underway on all of the colonies. There had been no shortage of volunteers to join the newly commisioned Space Marines.

Casualty estimates varied wildly. Most of his advisors believed that the invasion would be sucessful, but the cost to the first wave of troops was likely to be horendous. The first phase would come next month when the fleet moved through the warp point to Organtrix. Once there a beachhead of sorts would be set up. Information would be needed about bug fleet strength and defenses. To do that we would need eyes in the bug system.

The plan allowed for three months before phase two, to allow for repairs to the fleet before moving on to the ground assault. Time would also be neeeded to revise the plans if it turned out the Xi'Chung homeworld, the primary target, were too heavily defended. If it became neccesary, one of the smaller colonies would be invaded first. This would give the Sallegans a base of operations in bug space. This would also demonstrate to the bugs the predicament of their situation.

They were almost totally isolated now. Along with the Norak and the Amonkrie, the Sergetti had agreed to a non-aggression pact with the Republic now and had declared war on the Xi. The only race known to have peaceful relations with the bugs now was the Cue Cappa. But they didn't fight with anybody it appeared. Despite all this, the Xi had refused the latest ultimatum to cease attacks in the Narciston system.

It was clear that the Queen was not open to negotiation. For whatever reason, she was bent on the destruction of the Sallegan race. This could not be allowed to happen. If it took the complete subjugation of the Xi'Chung race, that is how it would have to be.

Time was of the essence. The war with the Xi must be resolved before the conflict between the Zynarra and the Norak got out of hand. Offers had been made to mediate that dispute, and so to keep the support of the Sallegans two closest allies.

Also there were concerns in the research and development front. The Sallegan researchers had discovered it was possible to build space mines which were difficult to detect and could do considerable damage. So far we had not developed the technolgoy to sweep these mines. It is not clear whether the Xi have developed these mines yet, but they cannot be allowed to do so before the invasion.

The achealogical discovery in Cephredi had yielded fuit. The remains were in fact of an ancient civilization. Furthermore the technology was discoverd to build massive planetary energy shields. Currently the Sallegans do not have the resources or space to build these, but it is a technology valued highly by our allies. Enough so that they were willing to trade ship construction technology. The Sallegans were now capable of building 400Kt space vessels. This put them on a par with every known race.

But the invasion could not wait for these ships to be constructed. Plans were designed, and keels laid. But the fleet would have to make do with what they had now. The timing was too critical to do otherwise.

[ 25 March 2002: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[geoschmo]

Year 2405.8

The fleet entered the Xi home sector in perfect spider formation, then all hell broke loose. The Xi had kept one Donetsk class destroyer in orbit, along with a dozen defense sattelites. Preliminary scans showed the bugs had 10 weapons platforms on the planet armed with standard CSM's. Those would be the priority. The ships and sats were an annoyance that had to be dealt with, but those platforms could stop the assault in it's tracks.

The Bareilly troop transport fell back well out of danger while the attack ships moved in to clear the way. The bug destroyer moved out to meet them, and suddenly broke right and attempted to move around the Sallega formation. Captain Davic recognized what they were doing in an instant.

"They are heading for the transport. All ships, break formation! Beta group, set an intercept course. Don't let that destroyer get in range of those marines. Ram him if you have too! Alpha group, form on me. Full speed ahead."

One destoryer was no match for the entire Sallegan fleet of 11 friagets and destoryers, but against the 3 ships of beta group, the odds weren't quite so bad. The bug ship was destoryed in a hail of missles and particle bLasts, but not before critcally damaging one ship and slightly damaging another. But the transport was safe, and that was the priority.

As Alpha group closed within range of the planet, the first Chang Rai destroyer let loose it's salvo of missles at the planet. They were follwed closly by the rest of Alpha group. The Sallegnas missles outranged the Xi's, but the ships closing in got in the Xi's range before their own missles impacted on the planet. Thirty blips appeared on the tactical display as the bug missles soared up from the planet below.

"All point defense, fire at will!" As the cannons opened up on the incomming wave of missles, the ships moved within range of their own particle cannons. The first round of Sallegan missles had found their marks, but there were still 6 weapon platforms operational, and the 12 sattelites to deal with. Suddenly the Dannak was rocked by twin explosions as the surviving Xi missles impacted on the lead ships in the fleet. The frigate to the left was struck 5 times and went up in a massive fireball. The Destroyer to the right of the Dannak also suffered multiple hits, but it's larger size allowed it to keep together. It wheeled away from the battle, to damaged to be of any use.

As the Aksu and Dannak turned and began firing on the Xi sattelites, the remainder of the fleet opened up with particle cannons and missles on the surface of the planet. The remaining weapons platforms were destroyed, but not before launching another wave of missles. Damaged by the first wave, and the particle cannon fire from the sattelites, the fleet did not have enough point defense to deal with the entire second wave of incoming missles. Two more frigates were destroyed, and third critically damaged. It was picked off by the Last remaining Xi sattelites, shortly before they were in turn destroyed.

The damage was extensive. Four frigates destroyed, five other ships heavily damaged, including the S.S.S Dannak. But the damaged ships could be reapaired in time, and the Aksu and three other ships were somehow not even hit in all the chaos. And most importantly, the Xi homeworld now lay before them undefended.

The marines came in to do their job. The transport moved into low orbit and launched the landing craft. They disperesed throughout the major population centers. Resistance was stiff, and causalties among the marines reached almost 40%, but in the end, they were victorious, and the planet was subdued.

The capitol had been lightly damaged in the attack. The worst news was that the space yard facility had been destroyed. It would be five months before it could be made operational and put to work repairing the fleet.

The Queen, seeing her empire coming to an end, commited ritual suicide as the marines attempted to take her into custody. The remaining Xi drones quickly submitted to marine authority at that point, and the battle for Organtrix IX had ended.

The only thing left was to deal with the other two Xi colonies. What ships could make way loaded the bulk of the marine force and made way for Organtrix IV, the smaller of the two remaining Xi worlds in the Organtrix system. But a few days before they arrived, the remainder of the Xi'Chung empire surrendered to the Norak.

The war was over.

[Ragnarok]

What's the score of everyone? Wanna see how ya'll doin.

[geoschmo]

Scores as of Turn 2406.0

1st place - Praetorian
2nd place - Norak
3rd place - Fazrah
4th place - Sergetti
5th place - Amonkrie

8th place - Sallega (Moving up. )

Geoschmo

[Jmenschenfresser]

2405.8

The Xi'Chung are no more. They are a crushed, battered and defeated people. But let me begin severals months before. After our defeat at Cephedri II, the Elders shifted from the notion that movement through Zynarra space was the only way to move beyond this corner of the galaxy. We'd recent information from the CueCappa that the Xi'Chung weren't as strong as it first seemed. Seven of our newest Utah destroyers left Xiban for a system called Olontra. The CueCappa informed us that a large planet in this system was uninhabited, that the Amon'krie, for reasons unknown had refrained from terra-forming it.

The High Priest secured from the Amon'krie permission to use this planet as a base for deep space exploration. However, the citizens of Olontra began rioting when our seven Utah destroyers moved into the system. For several years now, we've been aware of a faction within the Amon'krie who are hostile toward our beliefs. The are ethno-centrists, prone to violence, and cannot stand the words of our beloved Text. The Amon'krie government had not expected such a backlash from our efforts to terra-form a planet in the Olontra system. They had no idea of the influence the anti-Norak movement had upon members of their government.

We feared war with the Amon'krie and we still do. Within several months of our entrance into the Olontra system, the mood between our two peoples was tense. The government was forced to break ties with us, fearing a coup. The Priests doubted an attack from the Amon'krie would come. They were too deeply locked in a stalemate with the Farzah. As long as we kept the Templar fleet in Olontra, the Amon'krie would complain but do little. However, before our two civilizations had this falling out, we'd promised the Sallega to assist with their attack upon the Xi'Chung. Not wanting to return to Cephedri, the Priests had come to the conclusion that the Xi'Chung needed to be tested. Perhaps with the support of the Sallega, we could render them unable to attack our passing ships.

Unable to delay the Templar fleet any longer, the new colony in Olontra was left amongst a sea of hostile faces. We informed the Sallega we would be within striking range in two months. Just as the fleet exited the warp point into Organtrix, the Sallegan Admiral sent word that our fleet should guard the warp point between the Sallega and the Xi, just in case their invading fleet was destroyed. They feared a backlash or reprisal if they failed. Our fleet never actually made it to the warp point. As we passed near the Xi homeworld, we heard the Sallega victory cry! They'd taken it. The Xi were thus reduced to two small domed colonies farther north within the Organtrix system, neither of which were capable of constructing warships. Our elders feared too much life had been lost in taking this homeworld. It was a noble victory, and one sent by She who judges the soul; however, our elders realized that the Xi were already destroyed, their queen was dead by her own hand, and because of this, we negotiated a surrender of the final two colonies.

Which brings me to our present journey. Tallik and I are on our way to Organtrix to help with the transition of the remaining Xi. I've been studying the Sallegan and CueCappan anthropological writings about the Xi'Chung. Our scholars know little about them. It seems they have a cult of personality burned within their social conscience. In destroying their government and space navy, we hope they will take to our leadership. Tallik will be rebuilding their defenses and construction yards. I will assist in the pacification and instruction of our newest citizens. We are aboard an older Maine class transport headed to Organtrix. The treaty of surrender they signed has several stipulations:

1) We, the Norak, protect the Xi'Chung from any further hostile actions from the Sallega.
2) The Xi'Chung who accept the rule of the Norak be given every right within the Continuum as that of a Norak citizen.
3) Those of the Xi'Chung who no longer wish to live in close proximity to the Sallega, be allowed to move en masse to a suitable world deep within Norakian territory. (Several methane planets have already been chosen)
4)The culture and language of the Xi'Chung be accepted as legitimate within the Continuum.
5) However, the Xi'Chung will no longer be allowed to worship the pagan gods of their ancestors. These they must forsake.
6) The Xi'Chung are no less children of the Almighty.
7) The Xi'Chung will be given immediate seats within the Hall of Elders based on their population.
8) We will petition the Sallegan to provide restriction free travel from the Xi'Chung homeworld to the colonies and vice versa, as many families and friends are as yet divided.

There are several other finer points of course. These are some of the more interesting ones. It seems that I will head the monks and priests whose task it is to instruct the Xi'Chung in our religion and ways. We will set up schools and monestaries for them to learn our language. Tallik is also involved in the removal of those who wish to leave from the Sallegan presence and those who refuse to cooperate with the treaty. We hope for a smooth transition, but I doubt these things are ever easy. The Sallegan have yet to inform us as to their intentions towards the defeated Xi. We hope they are kind and forgiving despite the mutual destruction they've inflicted over the years. We realize it is easier for us to wipe the slate clean; however, forgiveness is the true sign of an enlightened soul.

After ensuring the defeat of the Xi'Chung the Templars are returning to the Colony in Olontra. Our priests have recently hammered out a new treaty between the Norak and the Amon'krie. The distrust is evident. We are now reduced to a treaty of non-intercourse. However, I have always been taught, that where the Almighty closes one door, she opens another. And possibly it is so...the Sallega have recently offered their services as arbiter between us and the Zynarra. Perhaps this will lead somewhere other than death. To the readers of this, you must understand what came before you. We seek not to destory but to enlighten. Sometimes however, the Almighty uses her servants to crush the irredeemable. The Zynarra cannot hide forever form the face of She who thinks about thinking...one day we will again ask of them their testimony. The Almighty have sent the Sallega as a Last hope for the Zynarra. I pray they do not send them away unheeded.

There isn't much to do on an empty transport ship...except write.

I've studied the designs of the new light cruiser class Florida about 50 times since leaving Xiban I. Several have already left space dock. One is being sent to Organtix and will arrive ahead of us; however, I will not get to see it until we reach the Xi' Colonies, because while we are avoiding Amon'krie space, it will be taking the shorter route through it. Already, Tallik is talking of new designs and new plans. He's sent his latest ideas back to the elders and their engineers. The second Version of the Florida will come with panels which harness the energy of the stars. This will greatly increase the distance our Text can be taken. Perhaps to the other end of the galaxy.

.............

Tallik and I have just finished our mid-day meal--some kind of wheat for the 10th day in a row. I wish this had been deemed a pilgrammage, for then I would no longer be required to fast. In anycase, we began discussing the future of the continuum. Now that the Xi'Chung worlds will provide us with resupply and constuction yards at the edge of known space, I ask what is next. The answer I received was not the one I was expecting. Instead of thrusting outward as many think, the elders have deemed it necessary to use the two systems lying on the galactic edge first. How can we use them, I ask? They are rock and empty space! Will we mine them? No, Tallik answered. We are going to create planets.

I think I called him a heretic. Only the Almighty can create something from nothing! But he quickly showed me the error of my ways. We need not deal with nothing. The Almighty has already given us the clay with which to form worlds. He proceeded to explain to me that our scientists are on the brink of a technology which would pull asteroids together through a powerful superficial gravitational field. After the gravity of the new planet is stabilized, the planet is perfect for terra-forming. At first we would only be able to transform smaller asteroid fields, but even this would nearly double the number of planets we inhabit. In order to speed up the research, Tallik showed me a deed to an as yet unformed planet. I laughed, but it is true. The ministry for exploration and new world colonization is selling deeds. The prices are ridiculously cheap. I am a monk, so therefore, I cannot own anything. However, Tallik assured me that when the time comes for our mutual retirement from public life, he would build be a shanty on a lonesome hill where I could meditate away the end of my days. I am absolutely in love with the idea.

Our conversation then drifted to other more mundane aspects of the continuum--his fear that our weapons capabilities are falling behind. I constantly tell him that his worries are a lack of faith. But he is a practical Norak. And we need his kind too. I think too much, I suppose. He tells me this daily and that uranium cannons don't build themselves. He's right...

But neither does faith...

Once we initiate the creation of new worlds, the travel time from one side of the contiuum to the other will take upwards of a year and will span eight systems.

[Jmenschenfresser]

2406.1
News article:

AMON'KRIE--OLD FRIENDS OR NEW THREAT?
by Hyulil
I can remember several short years ago when the Amon'krie were very reluctant to enter into friendly terms with us, the Norak. Well, let the records show that these Last seven days have shown that wounds between civilizations can bury themselves under layers of skin and paper treaties, but never are they totally absorbed by the veins of history.

Seven days ago, a Bronnoysund light cruiser of the Amon'krie was picked up hovering mysteriously close to our legal colony on Olontra II. The Templar fleet was making its way back from Organtrix, where the Sallega are still putting out the construction yard fires on the former Xi'Chung homeworld. Our fleet was within two sectors of Olontra II, when without warning, the Bronnoysund moved in on the planet. After repeated hails and no response, the colonists assumed something was wrong.

"I was standing on the roof of the main hall, when suddenly a series of giant explosions grabbed my attention. They came from the new space port beyond the eastern hills. After that, I remember being thrown to the ground...yes, the literal ground. We're talking quite a distance. Everything was on fire. People, houses, shops, everything..."

This is just one of many eye witness accounts streaming in from Olontra II.

"I never heard any sirens or warnings. I was working on a new resupply depot. We'd been working on it for 2 months. It was for the returning fleet. As you can imagine, I am thanking the Almighty for my fortune. I went out to get a cup of CueCappa soup, when a burst of light incinerated the facility I worked in. Only two people alive from that job site are the soup guy and me." From a worker.

The list goes on. 34 million colonists orginally settled on Olontra II. The number at the time of the attack might have been nearer to 40.

No one really knows for certain, but either the Amon'krie didn't realize we had 8 defense satellites in orbit, or it ignored them. General Ichtys rushing into his office was heard to say simply, "Fire. Don't ask me one damned question. Just fire." Almost as soon as he muttered these words, the Bronnoysund opened fire on the planet. From the sensor data, we've determined the ship used low level proton beams and depleted uranium cannons. The uranium has radiated much of the original colonized area. Many may still die who were too close to the exploding shells.

It was then that the Amon'krie ship realized 8 missles were screaming toward it. The ship turned into the missles hoping that some would miss their mark; however, the advanced guidance system of the missles showed this to be a foolish move. Every missle hit. The ship fired one beam at the sattelites before attempting to run. The satellites auto programming kicked in. If a link to an attacked colony has been severed, the satellites will continue to fire at their Last known target without instruction from the planet. They did just that. The missles quickly closed in on the Bronnoysund and vaporized her.

Although numbers are sketchy, it is believed that 3 million colonists are still alive on Olontra II. With the immediate threat gone and the Templars now in orbit around the colony, hopefully the Amon'krie will not make another foolish attack on Olontra II. Several strategists believe that our forces far out number those of the Amon'krie in the Olontra system. The Templars are using their own medical facilities to treat wounded. Supplies have been held up due to diplomatic haggling between us and the Amon'krie. They claim it was a renegade captain, itching to start a war. However, several elders of the war counsel claim they have proof that the Amon'krie government had partial knowledge of the event.

The High Priest has yet to issue a declaration of war, hoping for some resolution; however, this has not stopped all construction yards from beginning to crank out new ships of war. The First Interplanetary Guards are being ordered to move into Amon'krie space as a show of force, and our intent upon protecting ourselves.

Do we stand on the brink of another war? The Amon'krie have never taken to our ways. They refuse at every turn the Almighty's Text. We can live with people who have not the faith, but we cannot tolerate those who wish to destroy it. Let the Almighty judge! Let the path be made straight, and if it is to be the rumble of war which makes use of it, this author can live happily with such an outcome.

[geoschmo]

Year 2407.0

The war with the Xi'Chung had barely ended when the next crises flared up. The Sergetti, having just signed a non-aggression treaty the month before the invasion of Organtrix IX, abruptly cancelled it. Attempts had been made to renegotiate, but all had been refused. They had not made an official declararion of war, but it was clear that they were very hostile towards the Sallegan presence in the Organtrix system.

There were additional skirmishes. A single Sergetti ship had to be detroyed when it refused to withdraw from the Organtrix system, and two more were destroyed in what was apparently an attack on Organtrix IX itself. The space mines, which had just recently been deployed around the planet worked to perfection.

The fleet was dispatched to take control of the lone Sergetti colony in the system. But during the bombardment to neutralize the defensive weapon systems and make it safe for the marines to land, a fluke shot punctured the main habitation dome and set off a chain reaction within the colonies power plant. It was totatlly destroyed, along with the entire Sergetti population on the planet. A horrible waste thought Grandow. We must review our policies to make sure nothing like that happens in the future.

A fleet of six Sergetti light cruisers came through the eastern warp point on a direct course for the Xi homeworld. A final urgent plea to the Sergetti was made to end the hostilities before things got completely out of hand. Suprisingly they accepted and another non-aggresion pact was signed, but Grandow doubted that would be the end of the matter.

On the other side of Sallegan space, the Zynars were continuing their insistance that the Sallegans could not allies with them and the Norak at the same time. They were threatening to cancel the military alliance and expel the researchers on Cephredi VIII. Grandow decided that it was time to call their bluff. He did not believe they actually wanted to endanger their safety in such a haphazard way. It would be different, he thought, if the conflict between the two were still raging. Then they might have a legitimate claim on the Sallegans in the basis of their military alliance. But the Norak had appeared to lose interest in the Cephredi system, and had in fact sought the assistance of the Sallegans in resolving the conflict peacefully.

Grandow had been suprised that the occupation of the Xi homeworld had been as peaceful as it had. The Xi'Chung people themselves were plesantly tolerable once removed from the control of their despotic Queen. They had a great tolerance and acceptance of authority figures, and once it was clear to them the Sallegans had no intention of holding them responsible for the crimes of their former leaders, they proved to be quite good citizens and hard workers. Grandow almost felt ashamed of himself for his open hatred of the Xi race in the past.

Suited to methane aptmospheres as they were, several million volunteered to be relocated to the two methane colonies in the Narcisston system. The Sallegan population there was more than happy to dismantle the domes they had lived under all these years and move back to the homeworld. Something inherant in a person made them long to be able to walk outdoors in the sunshine. One could only live inside for so long.

The colonization of the remaining planets in the Organtrix system was proceeding rapidly. Priority would be given to defensive preparations, in case the Sergetti resumed hostilites in the near future. These additional planets, and the expanded use of the methane worlds in Narcisston, almost doubled the size of the Sallegan Republic. And none too soon, Grandow thought. The Republic was in danger of becoming swallowed up by one of the major races.

All of the known races, with the exception of the Sergetti, were still on good terms with the Sallegans. The Cue Cappa and Fazrah had even offered partnership agreements, which the Sallegans accepted. The information recieved from these agreements gave Grandow a picture of the galaxy that would have taken years to gather on their own. They now had star charts for systems strecthing from one galactic edge to the other, and almost to the galactic core. Nearly half the galaxy in all. They also had knowledge of several races they had not yet actually met. Grandow decided that they would have to send emmisaries to these system. He had long ago become a believer the ability of trade to support the growth of the Republic. And if relations were to sour with any of their current allies, new allies would be needed to replace them.

[TerranC]

What happened here?

The Galaxy dies of a big bang?

[geoschmo]

Heh, no big bang. The PBW server problems and Mesch having real life issues taking up more of his time means we have not been able to play any more turns lately. No turns means nothing happens to write about.

Hope to get back to it in a few days.

Geoschmo

[Jmenschenfresser]

(Enjoy...sorry for the delay.)

2407.4
I can't imagine a more remote desolate-looking place than the colonies in Organtrix. As an amature student of history and culture, I was eager to see the Lasting remnants of the the Xi'Chung. However, I see now with my own eyes the reasons why so many Xi have chosen to leave this system. Many long to see the homeworld and many are so tired of war that they just want to take their families and move on. Of the nearly 200 million Xi on the two colonies some 180 million are leaving for other worlds. I've met many of these future colonists. Tallik and I spent a month on both colonies fixing up infrastructure and bringing news of the Almighty. Quite a few have taken emotionally to our faith. Their fervor is astounding! Since we are late arriving, and several military men, including military priets, have been handing out the Text for nearly a year. They take to our faith mixing it with their own culture, and the offspring produces a strange, but familiar child. I personally enjoy it. I cannot imagine the different views and philosophical directions we'll see in the near and distant future.

We are on our way back to regions more familiar with a hull full of hopeful Xi. Still we cannot take what might be the shorter route through Amon'krie territory. Tallik has spent the Last two weeks locked in his cabin, seeing only me, and that only when I bring him his food. He is sketching possible strategies of both defense and offense were the Amon'krie ever to attack. We still maintain a large military presence in the Olontra system.

On the scientific front, we've gotten word that the homeworld has begun contruction on a ship capable of converting asteroids to planets. It will still take a year and a half until this wonder is complete. A good deal of the empire's resources are going into this ship. Those who know of this project are extremely hopeful that it will again provide the Norak with room to expand.

Other than the long trip to Organtrix and now the trip back, not a great deal has transpired during the Last year. The Amon'krie have been sitting on a treaty of trade with us for several months. After cycling through every known treaty, our diplomats finally hit upon this one that the Amon'krie are willing to hold onto. Our growing corner of the galaxy is again quite.

Tallik and I discuss galactic strategy from time to time as I may have mentioned. He feels our next problem may be with the Sergetti. They've sent several warnings to the High Priest and even vice roys within the CueCappa system attempting to weaken our alliance with the CueCappa. Apparently the Sergetti are trouble makers. She who hung the stars can deal with them in her own time, either by our hand or the hand of another. No one prospers forever when they spread disease and discontent. The Elders are debating the release of part of the Templars from station in Olontra to dissuade the Sergetti from meddling in Organtrix. We know that the Sallega have a keen dislike for the Sergetti. Our scouts in Organtrix are not quite sure of the events but we think the Sallega and Sergetti have been through several skirmishes already. We do know that sometime between the exiting of the Templars from Organtrix and the surrender of the Xi, the Sergetti colony in Organtrix disappeared. I suppose it is possible they abandoned it thinking it unsafe; although, I doubt it. More likely the Sallega destroyed it...whether on purpose or not.

The colonies in Organtrix have sent a Florida to scout out several uncharted systems beyond Organtrix. A colony ship of Norak wait in Organtrix for a suitable world to present itself. I doubt the Elders will consent to sending a colony ship into Sergetti space. But perhaps somewhere beyond it lies an unclaimed world.

Let me now tell you of a small work I am attempting for the Priest of Multiculture. He is binding several volumes of Xi'Chung literature in translation for the greater good of integrating the enroute Xi into Norak culture. He figured that such a publication would give the Norak an appreciation of their new neighbors. The collection now in translation is small, but we are positive it will grow over time. I personally have picked up much of their language. It isn't that hard once one gets over the hurdle of a different script. I, on the other hand, have not been given the task of translation, but rather of collecting a few "survivor" stories or human interest stories for publication in our many newspapers and tabloids. The pieces I've gathered from those who remained in Organtrix and from those on the ship. The column is already in it's 3rd month, and just as an example, I'd like to include part of Last weeks here. It is an interview:

"An interview with Yuzzakri of the fourth pod of Xi'Gyunlhl, once a captain in the Xi'Chung Star Watch.

RAEGHAR: Why are you leaving your homesystem? Organtrix. Certainly, there may be chances for your return, but still, it must take something for a being leave his home for another settlement.

YUZZAKRI: I'm tired. Tired of what being a real Xi involves.

RAEGHAR: From the war?

YUZZAKRI: I can live with war...it's this facelessness of our people I can't stomach. Your, your...historians may ask, 'what does being a Xi mean?' I'll tell you. It means nothing! Once upon a time, before the Sallega stormed the Imperial Hive and dissected our ****ing beloved queen, the general most of us simply existed in a state where all action was collective. Individuality, I am now discovering, is based mostly on the choices, the decisions we make. We made the decisions which most benefitted the Hive. It was easy. It was the common good, as you would call it, but it wasn't living. I am tired of the common good. I am not a selfish person, Raeghar.

RAEGHAR: Then if before the death of the Xi Queen, being a Xi meant being part of a whole and not a whole itself, then what does being a Xi now mean?

YUZZAKRI: Now! Now we are nothing!

RAEGHAR: I thought you were nothing before?

YUZZAKRI: Before we were incomplete. Now we are nothing. I can be anything I chose to be under Norakian law, or something else outside of it. I can call myself a Norak if I want to, or a Sallega or a Zynarrian! Whatever. My point is, I am...we are a blank slate.

RAEGHAR: Then I don't quite follow how this now unlimited frontier of personality and choice can lead to you saying, "I am tired."

YUZZAKRI: How many people are on this ship, Raeghar?

RAEGHAR: Not sure....maybe 150 million or more.

YUZZAKRI: And that speaks to the sudden newness of epistomology we as Xi find ourselves in. Whether tragic or not, I do not know, but it is a situation I think which demands adaptation...am I correct?

RAEGHAR: I would say so.

YUZZAKRI: And therein lies the problem with me and the other 150 million Xi on this ship. The government on the two colonies you Norak now hold, which before were just governors and local officials, have indirectly become power hungry. In order to convince your Elders to allow them to retain power over the rest of us, using the excuse that only a Xi knows a Xi, and can govern his complex nature, they, the leaders had to create this myth of Xi'Chung culture. It is entirely imposed from above. You, yourself, saw the makeshift flaunting of our newly found freedom and culture! What rubbish.

RAEGHAR: Is this disagreement over culture the reason why you've left?

YUZZAKRI: It isn't the only reason.....I would call it more, the only choice left.

RAEGHAR: Meaning you imprisonment.

YUZZAKRI: Yes.

RAEGHAR: Why don't you talk about that. Begin with the organization of your political party.

YUZZAKRI: It was hardly mine. It functioned like a lot of things in Xi society, without a direct head. I really only became it's head once the fighting started. You see there aren't free elections in either of the colonies in Organtrix....not even now. It began long before the Sallega invasion. I began meeting with several officials and intellectuals about changing policy towards the Sallega...and others, but mainly towards our war with them. I am not here to debate the start of this war or right of existence. But the war was going no where, so I and others began a movement within the upper society to end the war and initiate a cooling off toward the Sallega....

RAEGHAR: Are you vindicated now that those who opposed you seemingly made the wrong choice?

YUZZAKRI: Wrong choice?! Whatever that is. I think even you preach that right choices are known only by your Almighty...not by mortals. In anycase, the invasion came before we really were given the chance to let our movement cement. The homeworld was quickly taken and then the rest surrendered to you...well, not you, but.... I fought against the invasion of course. But after our fleet and space defenses were gone, we didn't have the ground capabilities to deal with the Sallega troops. They over ran the cities with ease. After the capital and five other major cities fell, my division surrendered. Normally, I would have been captaining a ship and most likely would have met my maker in the upper atmosphere of the homeworld, but recent Sallega adventures into our space had left me without a ship and decent crew. So when the invasion came I was assigned as an officer to the army. Afterwards the army was disbanded and I was left to myself....not a good thing for a thinking Xi'Chung. Once the new government on the homeworld had been set up, they began this push for a representation of the Xi in the Sallega government. Claiming reasons of culture and minority status and blah blah blah. With several of the same friends as before, I formed an alternative to becoming a Sallegian citizen or a minority. It was a fine line to walk, granted. But it stressed individuality and self-determination. Free thought and a reexamining of every alternative out there. Not some bogus cheap fantasy Xi culture, that never existed. But neither the establishment nor the Sallega wanted to hear it. We were first forced under ground. I personally lived in a hut in the woods for a month. Attempts on the lives of my collegues were made. When the call came form the Norak that they and the Sallega were attempting a reunification of relatives and such, I applied and was accepted for transfer to one of the colonies. Honestly, I think the Sallega still think I am hiding somewhere in their forests.

RAEGHAR: What was your excuse for transfer?

YUZZAKRI: Actually, none. The Norak nor the Sallega knew anything about birth records and mundane stuff like that of the Xi. I picked a generic Xi name and ran with it, calling him my brother. The transfers went so quickly I doubt they checked any of the applicants.

RAEGHAR: So you didn't get that wound on the homeworld?

YUZZAKRI: No. After getting to the colonies, I thought that the movement might work better here. After all, the colonies had always been known to house underground movements and extremists. I met with several Groups. None of which were interested in what I had to say. But at Last I men a Xi named, Khazzari. He introduced me to some of his acquaintances....and on the chain went. Really an overnight hook up. Khazzari worked in the library on Organtrix I. He had a personal stock of foreign literature and philosophy. I would say it had the one of the best collections of political writings in the galaxy. I read books from races I doubt you have ever heard of. Well, to make a long story short, we refashioned what used to be on the homeworld. I felt good about this new group. The people were smart and fierce but compassionate for the average Xi. We began asking questions and attending lectures. We used your own religious schools as places for instruction and recruitment. Within a month we had a thousand members. The local governments became aware of us at about this time. Since the Templar fleet of the Norak had to be recalled to the Olontra system, the colonies in Organtrix were left without much Norakian supervision. The new Xi leaders began to take a strong line against those who disagreed with their interim rule.

RAEGHAR: Death squads?

YUZZAKRI: More or less. Somewhere around this time people began disappearing. We halted most of our open activities, but by that time too many people knew too many names. I started to see shadows following me home.

RAEGHAR: What turned you into militants? I mean, what forced you to fight back.

YUZZAKRI: The death of Khazzari, of course. They even took his books. Watch...once the atmosphere in Organtrix smoothes over, these books will surface...either in another collection or on an auction block. [I have yet to tell Yuzzakri but Khazzari's collection is on this ship. I have been given orders to deliver it to the national archives of enlightened studies. I have put in a request that the books belong to Yuzzakri and should be copied and then returned to him. Hopefully someone listens.] After his death, we armed ourselves. I didn't have anywhere else to run to...not until your ship arrived. But I didn't know that at the time. The skirmishes weren't grand or anything really to speak of. We killed several Guards, including two Norak, hence my sentence, and they killed most of us. I was wounded and taken prisoner. I am sure you are aware of what happened after you arrived. I was in a cell awaiting death. One of my former collegues posing as an independent investigator exposed the interim government abuses, and because of that I was freed.

RAEGHAR: But you still feared for your life?

YUZZAKRI: Yes. It is true that the Norak dismissed several officials after the short hearing on abuses, but most stayed where they were. I had no choice but to leave.

[Since this interview, Yuzzakri has taken up the call to follow the Text of the Almighty. However, he still teaches individuality as the true path to an enlightened knowledge of She who exposes the infinite to the finite.]