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【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 1: Ascendance

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【VAF】Chapter║: 10 ─ Manoeuvres

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On 16-01-2188 the 5 Human Governments conducted massive exercises involving 112 Galaxy Class StarShips in preparation for the operations of the Galactic Alliance Taskforce, and they practiced systems integration and joint manoeuvres. The objective of the exercises was to harmonise the Earth component into a single fighting Force. The Military manoeuvres were also important in showing the Galactic Alliance Commanders that Earth was ready to play its part.

Observing the exercises was: High Commander Azori of the Azleck Republic, General Onlec of the Folong Empire, Sky Commander Khilag of the O'con Federation and Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation.

From Earth there was: Admiral Bruce Smith from the United Atlantic Federation 〘UAF〙, General Khalil Aziz from the Islamic Alliance 〘IA〙, General Ken Lee from the Asian Consortium 〘AC〙, Admiral Raj Molohtra from the United Indian Federation 〘UIF〙 and from the African Federation of City States 〘AF〙; Admiral Tharo Netabu and Guardian Isara Olen.

Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation was the assigned Galactic Alliance Taskforce Commander, and General Onlec would be his second in command. High Commander Azori of the Azleck Republic was particularly impressed with the progress the humans had made in such a relatively short period. Commander Azori knew that it was largely through the efforts of the Azleck Republic that Earth had been transformed into a significant military power, but there was still great work to be done because most Developed Interstellar Civilisations operated a fleet of about 4000 StarShips comparable to Earth's Apollo Class Destroyer.

Following the exercises the Commanders held a meeting to discuss how best to deploy the Earth fleet in the Galactic Alliance Taskforce operations. Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation would first address the group, and then take suggestions.

The true physiological features of the Jiquam and Folong was hidden behind their respective Bio-mechanical Armour, but from Azleck Records the Andronians, the Carmaks, the Hildrano, the Folong and the Jiquam are amphibious mammals with Psionic Abilities.

Azleck Records indicate that the Carmaks, the Hildrano, the Jiquam and the Folong can breathe underwater, and that indicates that they are some sort of Fish-Mammal hybrid. The Jiquam and the Folong communicate in a similar method to whales, and their languages are very complex. The Jiquam stand 3.4 meters tall in their Bio-Mechanical Armour and the Folong stand 3 meters tall in their Bio-Mechanical Armour. Azleck Records indicate that the Jiquam are naturally 2.5 meters tall and the Folong are naturally 2.2 meters tall.

Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation makes his address.

Quanite: " We are very pleased with what we have witnessed. Stories of Human progress have not been unfounded. In all my years I have never seen anything like this! Such rapid progress is truly astounding. I fear that this is the reason the Hakum are so interested in this region. Rumours of Human Heroics have spread throughout the region. We heard reports of how Humans rescued the Edo from imminent annihilation. We think that the Hakum perceive the Humans as a possible long term threat. The fact that you've made a thousand years of progress in under a Hundred years has not gone unnoticed. If the Hakum are worried about Humans, their masters the Migon may not be far off. Until today we believed that the fact that you have 5 Governments was a weakness, but having seen your display we think that your 5 different Governments are actually a strength, and your constant competition with each other forces you to Create and Innovate, accelerating the Evolution of your Civilisation. As you are aware in our sector we've been in constant battle with Migon for a thousand years, and they continue to test our defensive lines with stealthy incursions. For the most part we've been able to repel all their offensives, and we've forced them to continuously fortify their lines. Alliance intelligence reports indicate that they have been rebuilding their fleet, and it’s only a matter of time before they begin to move again. We are here to make sure that this region is protected from a possible Migon advance. As you Understand Alliance resources are limited, and the Alliance could only spare 5 Ships capable of destroying a Migon BattleSphere. We have been observing the Hakum activities in the region for the past 2 years, and we've prepared the supply network for extended operations. However we've seen no sign of Migon presence, but the Migon are sneaky, never showing themselves, and when they reveal themselves millions of Sapient lives are lost. For the problem at hand; we've detected 170 Hakum Sky Daggers, 80 Hakum Sky Swords and 30 Hakum Sky Spears. These are larger numbers than our initial estimates! To respond to this the Galactic Alliance has adjusted the Taskforce to; 3 Jiquam Galaxy Class StarCruisers, 2 Folong Galaxy Class StarCruisers, 30 Galaxy Class StarShips from the Nabi Federated Kingdom, 50 Galaxy Class StarShips from the Solte Federation and 50 Galaxy Class StarShips from the Azleck Republic. With the O'con Federation providing 22 Galaxy Class StarShips, and Earth providing 112 Galaxy Class StarShips our force compliment would be at 247 Confirmed ships. The O'con Federation indicate that a further 25 Earth Galaxy Class StarShips would be providing escort for their ships, so we are looking at a total compliment of 272. This puts us at a force strength of approximately 153% of the Hakum Force. The presence of the Migon could rapidly change these numbers. Just as we have been observing them, the Hakum are watching us; For this reason the fleet will only come together on the day we make our move."

Admiral Quanite then proceeds to lay out the battle plan, and because of the vast experience of the Galactic Alliance in large scale campaigns they concluded to split the force into two groups and attack from two directions. The main intent is to force the Hakum into rapidly splitting the force into two groups, and any judgment failures as to proportions on the part of the Hakum Warlords would lead to one of the groups being destroyed.

The Galactic Alliance Taskforce would be organized in to two groups 1〙 The ships from the Galactic Alliance Nations led by the 3 Jiquam Galaxy Class StarShips, and 2〙 The Ships from the O'con Federation and Ships from Earth led by the 2 Folong Galaxy Class StarShips. Galactic Alliance Analysts anticipated that the Space around the Hakum Base would be mined, and that ruled out the prospect of jumping directly into the Hakum lines.

The Galactic Alliance had to conduct a long range approach, and deploy Nuclear missiles to destroy Hakum mines and clear the way. For maximum efficiency the Ships would have to fight in forward line formations and simultaneously deploying the Particle Beams as they move in closer. Commanders would have to think quickly and counter any Hakum defensive strategy they might encounter.

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After the extended discussions onboard the UAS Atlantis B2187 there was a meet and greet session were the military officials could freely interact with Earth political leaders. Timal Envoy of the O'con Federation was also there to meet with Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation and General Onlec of the Folong Empire to establish diplomatic relations with the Jiquam Federation and the Folong Empire. Diplomatic relations with the Carmak Republic, the Hildrano Enclave and the Andronian Federation would follow with time.

It was during these private consultations that Admiral Quanite of the Jiquam Federation formally extended an offer for the O'con Federation to join the Galactic Alliance.

After Official discussions Timal invites Isara over in order to introduce her to Admiral Quanite and General Onlec.

Timal : " This is Isara Olen one of Earth's Crystal Guardians."

Isara : " Pleased to meet You!"

Quanite: " Pleased to meet You!"

As Isara shakes Admiral Quanite's Hand she suddenly feels weak, and energy is drained from her Chest Crystal and flows into an amulet worn around Admiral Quanite's Neck. Isara then falls to the ground and becomes unconscious, and Isara's security rashes to her, amongst them is Deputy Expeditionary Guardian Maole. Naole's Grandson Maole then uses his Chest Crystal to revive Isara.

The group that had gathered is relieved when Isara once again stands up. Jiquam and Folong personnel continue to use hand held devices to scan the people in the room, and once the analysis is complete the reports are sent to Admiral Quanite and General Onlec respectively. Isara, Maole, Admiral Quanite, Admiral Onlec, Admiral Netabu, Admiral Smith, Commander Azori and Ambassador Tamil move to Admiral Smith's Office where they could talk in private.

Timal : " What did you do to her?"

Quanite: " We did not notice it before but there is something very special about these particular humans."

Onlec : " Something we've never come across before."

Isara : " Don't worry your Excellency." looking at Timal "I'm Ok."

Timal : " What happened Isara?"

Isara : " His amulet somehow drained my Energy."

Quanite: " My Apologies! This amulet contains a fragment of the original Phaylon Crystal! All Jiquam Commanders carry this type of amulet."

Onlec : " For Folong the Phaylon Crystals are carried by Folong Priests."

Quanite: " The Phaylon Crystals produce healing energy we call Phaylon Radiation."

Onlec : " Our analysis indicates that some humans produce trace amounts of Phaylon Radiation. But those of you with Chest Crystals generate Phaylon Radiation in abundance."

Quanite: " We've never come across creatures who could generate Phaylon Radiation."

Onlec : " This must be the doing of the Andronians."

Quanite: " Are you Psionic?"

Isara : " A little; Why?"

Onlec : " We are also Psionic, but we can't sense your feelings; Your Thoughts."

Timal : " That is because their primary Psionic organ is not the brain."

Quanite: " No it's not! This makes you unique; More than just Psionics."

Isara : " But there are those amongst us who have Psionic abilities even though they don't have Chest Crystals."

Onlec : " There would be."

Quanite: " This Crystal Armour this one is wearing amplifies your abilities?"

Isara : " Yes; Maole is wearing what we call Guardian Armour."

Timal : " You recognize the potential?" speaking to Quanite

Quanite: " Yes!"

Timal : " They do not recognize it in themselves."

Isara : " What are you talking about?"

Quanite: " In all my time I've visited thousands of worlds. Made contact with advanced races that have since died out. I've met very powerful Psionics! Beings with the power to move mountains. But none of them could amplify their Psionic Abilities."

Onlec : " You somehow transform Electromagnetic Radiation into Psionic Energy."

Quanite: " Though your ability is in its early stage of evolution it holds the promise of great power. The power to defeat the forces of chaos and destruction."

Onlec : " You must let us study you! See if we can duplicate your power in us."

Admiral Netabu, Admiral Smith and Ambassador Tamil laugh at this suggestion by General Onlec.

Quanite: " What do you find amusing?"

Timal : " The Crystalans are Defiant! Fiercely Independent! And Incredibly Wilful!"

Netabu: " Stubborn!"

Smith : " At times Obstinate!"

Timal : " They will never agree to any of their own being subjected to experimentation. Even if it is for the greater good. In any case their unique physiology makes it virtually impossible to clone them, and their offspring require a component that can not be duplicated. To study them you will have to go to them because they will not come to you. To understand them you will need to first be accepted by their Source."

Onlec : " Source?"

Timal : " They call it the Spirit Stone; It is a living Crystal. Unfortunately no amount of explanations can adequately explain what it is. You have to see it for yourself."

Isara : " True; You have to experience it for yourself. Touch it! Feel its power!"

Quanite: " This Spirit Stone you speak of, is it a Spherical Crystal?"

Isara : " Yes!"

Onlec : " It produces an aura."

Isara : " Yes!"

Quanite: " Has the power to manipulate matter."

Isara : " Yes."

Onlec : " It can communicate."

Isara : " Yes!"

Onlec : " A Phaylon Sphere."

Quanite: " Behold; I am the light on the hill."

Isara : " How do you Know about that?"

Onlec : " Its part of a Phaylon Greeting."

Quanite: " A kind of Phaylon first contact protocol."

Onlec : " Behold! I am the light on the hill! The Voice in the wind! I stand down the road waiting for you!"

Quanite: " The Phaylon are Beings of Light. Transcended Beings; Non-Corporeal. Pure Psionic Energy! When we first met them they landed on 157 km diameter Spherical Crystal living Ships called Phaylon Spheres. Each Phaylon has a smaller Phaylon Sphere that functions like a personal transport. We don't know much about them, but they are highly Evolved, and are the only known Civilisation capable of generating Intergalactic Wormholes."

Onlec : " Where did you get this Spirit Stone?"

Isara : " When our ancestor Lesedi died a portion of his Spirit remained within his Chest Crystal, and that is how the Spirit Stone was born."

Onlec : " And he was the First?"

Isara : " Yes!"

Quanite: " But where did his Chest Crystal come from? Was he born with it?"

Isara : " No! An object from the sky struck his chest! In that day the Crystalans and the Hodians were born! Hodians are the descendents of Lesedi's older brother Ralefa who tried to remove the object from Lesedi's chest. From Ralefa we have the Hodians and the Crystalans without Chest Crystal; from Lesedi we get Crystalans with Chest Crystal. From the beginning of our kind every Crystalan with Chest Crystal leaves a portion of their Spirit with the Spirit Stone. It is our Guiding light; Our Nexus! We cannot be apart from it."

Quanite: " An object from the sky?"

Onlec : " No doubt the doing of the Andronians."

Timal : " Why do I get the feeling that you don’t think too highly of the Andronians?"

Onlec : " The Andronians are the most powerful of the Older Interstellar Civilisations. Technogarnic like the O'ltana! But they used to be meddlesome; Prone to interfering in the affairs of other Civilisations."

Quanite: " Half a million Earth years ago the Andronians sent an Expedition to find the Migon! What they found Horrified them to such an extent that it sent the Andronian Federation into a spiral of Chaos! It shook the Andronian Federation to the core. They began to interfere with the biology of younger races. Their experimentations were designed to accelerate Evolution! However this led to other problems; Diseases, plagues, Xenophobia, and finally Interstellar wars. We had to stop them! The Jiquam Federation, the Folong Empire and the Carmak Republic decided to jointly oppose the Andronian Federation by military means. After a long and costly war the Andronian Federation military capabilities were sufficiently weakened to force them to agree to a peaceful resolution. We never had any intension or desire to harm the Andronians, but we wanted to understand why they would act so recklessly. At the peace negotiations the Andronians told of the horror they had witnessed. They showed us the evidence of Migon atrocities! Entire world rendered lifeless! Whole Civilisations consumed at the dinner tables of Migon families. I looked into the face of Holnari the Andronian Supreme Commander and Found nothing but despair. Fear and Desperation was their reason. At the time none of the Older Interstellar Civilisations had the power to oppose the Migon, but we all promised the Andronians that we would all meet this challenge to life together. We would all prepare and be ready to oppose the evil when it arrived. This is when the Andronians began to give Developing Civilisations fragments of their Phaylon Crystal! They would give them a Sceptre of Andros that contained a fragment of their Phaylon Crystal as a symbol of Andronian affection. For generations we wondered why Andronian society became undone by what they witnessed at the hands of the Migon, but the answer would only become apparent at the battle of ten thousand Ships. The Andronians are extremely powerful Psionics, but this power comes at a price; The suffering of Sapient beings affects them at a deeper level. The Andronians says that the suffering of Sapient beings produces Negative Psionic Energy. Therefore for the Andronians preventing suffering on the scale the Migon cause is not a matter of choice, but something deeper; It's as though they have no real choice. It's as if the Spirit-Consciousness has designated them the protectors of Life! After the battle of ten thousand Ships the Andronians stopped giving the Sceptre of Andros to Developing Civilisations for fear of them falling into Hakum or Migon hands. The battle of ten thousand Ships changed everything! Those of us who were there witnessed Andronian Courage; Their Stubborn Nobility!" pause "Most of us wanted to retreat, but the Andronian refused to waiver! They stared into the empty void! Forced the Darkness to retreat!" pause "An Immortal gets used to being Alive, but the Andronians were ready to die. Supreme Commander Holnari put it like this; The only way the Migon would get past us is if the Andronian People are Extinct. This is the extent of their commitment to protecting life on a Thousand worlds."

They are all emotionally moved by Admiral Quanite's story, and High Commander Azori of the Azleck Republic steps forward to say something.

Azori : " I feel that perhaps its time for the truth to come out. The Chest Crystal is not the doing of the Andronians, and I fear this is our doing. Ever since the humans gave us back our Spherical crystal Artefact we've known that the Earth system was the final destination of our Scientist Zao, some 1250 Earth years ago. He was trying to produce a Bio-Organic Crystal Computer for our Ships in order to make their visual targeting system more efficient in order to overcome Migon stealth technology. Our records indicate that thousands of components including the Sceptre of Andros and genetic materials from many now extinct worlds were used to produce a living Crystal. Records indicate that Zao's Science Ship was destroyed. When we first learnt of the Chest Crystal we feared that it may be the result of Zao's genetic experiments, and so we said nothing, but to hear Isara speak of an object from the sky gives us great relief. However our records also indicate that attempts to introduce the Bio-Organic living Crystal into other living organisms resulted in instant death, and so I can not understand how the 2 humans survived."

Isara : " There was something there that made it possible for them to survive the transformation. It is said that Ralefa and Lesedi were from a powerful Psionic bloodline. Perhaps this made the difference, but we are happy to finally know the truth about our Origins."

Onlec : " We will never know How? Or Why? And the ingredients to reproduce that original Crystal have been destroyed by the Migon. We must then look forward to what you become. You may have your Origins in weapons technology, but you are part Phaylon Crystal, and your destiny is yours to choose."

Quanite: " Clearly the Phaylon Crystal fragments contain some sort of Phaylon information that we have not been able to recover, and since they opened we've discarded the shell and focused of the information within."

Onlec : " But the shell may contain DNA based Knowledge."

Quanite: " The Migon must never find out about your Spirit Stone, if they do then Earth will be lost! They must not learn of your true potential! We will speak to the Galactic Alliance Council, and accelerate O'con Federation membership. This will make it easier to explain our presence in the region! We will base our ships in Azleck Republic Space and in O'con Federation Space."

Isara : " What just Happened?"

Timal : " The discovery of Crystalorb has given Earth Strategic importance and earned Earth additional protection."

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