◇◆◇

- - -

【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 2: Return of the Crystal Guardians

- - -

◇◆◇

〚『~』〛

【VAF】Chapter║: 39 ─ Crystalorb System

〚『~』〛

◇◆◇

At Cobalt's Command centre.

Cobalt : " Establishing Joint Communications Channel with Crystalorb!"

Eld-Utel : " Is everyone ready?"

Cmd-Arog : " Everyone is ready my Lord"

Eld-Utel : " Good! On another matter, Naole; Having pleaded guilty to the charge of insubordination, and having taken full and sole responsibility for the infringement committed by Cobalt and his crew we have no choice but to sentence you to 30 days solitary confinement."

DCmd-Isan : " No Crystal Guardian has ever been sentenced to solitary confinement."

Eld-Utel : " Naole insisted that there be confinement in his punishment. To honour the principle of equality before the law."

Aurora : " 30 days solitary confinement is the appropriate punishment for insubordination."

Naole : " The Spirit Stone confirms that Fragment N is in place."

Cmd-Arog : " We are good to go my Lord!"

Eld-Utel : " Proceed!"

Fragment N fires 5 convergent beams that open a 2m diameter wormhole into Crystalorb's Inter-Dimensional Pocket.

Cobalt : " Inward Vortex open!"

Naole : " Linking Cobalt's Systems to the Spirit Stone!" the Spirit Stone uses Cobalt's Energy Crystals to fire 5 convergent beams that converge on the wormhole into the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket creating a 10km wide wormhole to Normal Space "Vortex to Normal Space open."

Cmd-Arog : " All ships this is Fleet Command; Mobilize!"

The Crystalorb Fleet moves into the Inter-Dimensional wormhole to Normal Space.

◇◆◇

The Crystalorb Fleet is welcomed to the Entig Republic's Nilrig system by an Entig Republic BattleGroup. Commander Elrig establishes Communications with the Entig Republic Fleet Command from onboard Cobalt and confirms that the Crystalorb Fleet has completed the Vortex Jump to Normal Space.

A'ltana : " Receiving Communications from Commander Elrig"

Cmd-Arog : " On screen!"

Cmd-Elrig: " Commander; I've just been informed that the security for the Crystalorb System is in place!"

Cmd-Arog : " Excellent! We will set course for the Crystalorb System once our fleet is ready"

Cmd-Elrig: " The Entig Collective Leadership has allocated the Crystalorb System a 50 LightYear buffer that includes 3 Surrounding Stellar Systems"

Cmd-Arog : " Any planets on the 3 Surrounding Stellar Systems?"

Cmd-Elrig: " Just the relatively small gas giants. However there are significant minerals on the asteroid fields to allow you to rebuild your fleet"

Cmd-Arog : " Thank you Commander Elrig, and Crystalorb thanks the Entig Republic!" Commander Arog's attention turns to Naole "Guardian Naole; stand by for JCC with Lord Bital of the O'con Federation High Council, Ambassador Vinach of the Andronian Federation and Leader Remin of the Entig Collective Leadership."

Naole : " I am Online Commander!"

Rilen : " I am Online Commander!"

A'ltana : " Joint Communications Channel Active!"

Cmd-Arog : " Greetings from Crystalorb! I am Guardian Commander Arog Lesedi of Crystalorb; Official representative of the Crystalorb Commonwealth. I'm to coordinate Crystalorb's activities on behalf of the Crystalorb Commonwealth."

Amb-Vinach : " What's Crystalorb's military capabilities?"

Cmd-Arog : " We have 925 Nalen Class SkyGarrisons, 3155 Adult Intrepid Class Ships, 2501 Intrepid Class Juvenile Ships, 2094 Intrepid Class Baby Ships, 23024 Intrepid Class Ship Eggs, 770 Adult Indigo Class Ships, 2166 Indigo Class Juvenile Ships, 1816 Indigo Class Baby Ships, 20144 Indigo Class Ship Eggs, 3800 Esara Class SkyCruiser wrecks, 3600 Casara Class Cruiser wrecks. We lost 75 Nalen Class SkyGarrisons during the Battle for Crystalorb, but the Crystalorb Ship wrecks can be brought back to full use."

Amb-Vinach : " How long before you can Mobilize the Crystalorb Fleet?"

Cmd-Arog : " A minimum of 2 years; SET 〘Standard Earth Time〙"

Aurora : " We are working on a 5 year timeline"

Lord-Bital : " Why 5 years?"

Cmd-Arog : " That's how long it will take to get all our ships combat capable. We are exploring methods to accelerate that timeline."

Lord-Bital : " What happens when the Migon find out that Crystalorb survived?"

Cmd-Arog : " We don't know; at this moment we are still working through the scenarios!"

Amb-Vinach : " We think that when the Migon find out that Crystalorb survived they will begin the largest military offensive we have ever seen! What do you think Naole?"

Naole : " I agree!" he takes a moment "I think that the Galactic Alliance has consistently underestimated the Migon Federation; I think the Galactic Alliance should adjust Migon Federation fleet estimates up by as much as 100%!"

Ldr-Remin : " What?"

Cmd-Arog : " Let me just add that these are Naole's personal views; the Crystalorb Commonwealth has no evidence that runs contrary to Galactic Alliance Intelligence."

Aurora : " Naole is not the only one who shares this belief."

Amb-Vinach : " What are you saying Naole? Why do you think we are wrong?"

Naole : " Commander Arog is right to point out that there is no tangible proof. What I'm talking about is based on Crystalan intuition; our Crystalan ability to see beyond the obvious."

Lord-Bital : " What do you see Naole?"

Naole : " When we destroyed the Circleans we merged their Crystals with the Spirit Stone, and that means that all their knowledge became part of Crystalan Knowledge. This included information about Circlean interactions with the Migon. For some reason the Migon are confident that they can take the combined forces of the Galactic Alliance. They believe that they will win the war!"

Lord-Bital : " They must know something we don't!"

Naole : " My thoughts exactly! Either they have overwhelming numbers or they have a combination of tactical advantages that would make victory a possibility."

Aurora : " Perhaps both!"

Amb-Vinach : " What sort of tactical advantages are you talking about?"

Naole : " When the Hakum destroyed the Joint United Human Civilisation Silenia Five Colony it confirmed Crystalan beliefs that the Hakum and the Migon are watching all of us!"

Ldr-Remin : " What are you trying to Say?"

Cmd-Arog : " We think that the Migon have Hundreds of long term observation platforms located in Hyperspace."

Ldr-Remin : " What?"

Aurora : " We think they've had them for thousands of years! Literally watching everyone!"

Naole : " There has been many attempts to prove this theory, but the results have not been definitive."

Cmd-Arog : " However there is significant evidence to warrant further examination."

Amb-Vinach : " It seems you have come to the same conclusion we reached some time ago. Clearly the Migon Federation has more Intelligence gathering capabilities than the Galactic Alliance. The Andronian Federation believes that the Migon Federation has allies in the Galactic Alliance; Civilisations that have accepted Migon superiority in exchange for survival."

Ldr-Remin : " Who are these people? Shouldn't we kick them out of the Galactic Alliance?"

Amb-Vinach : " This war is not about Migon Blood Lust or about Migon Militarism; It's about the equality of Sentient-Sapient Life Forms."

Naole : " The Migon believe that they are Superior Life Forms?"

Amb-Vinach : " The Migon believe that they are higher up the evolutionary ladder, and that some Sentient-Sapient Life Forms are too inferior to have equal rights. This is why they were so dedicated to the destruction of the Crystalorb Commonwealth; because Crystalans threaten their deeply held beliefs, and they fear that others will begin to question Migon Superiority."

Naole : " The Migon are not the only ones who don't believe in the equality of the rights of Sentient-Sapient Life Forms!"

Amb-Vinach : " And there in lays the problem! This is the primary flaw in the Galactic Alliance. To wage a successful campaign against the Migon Federation we need to form a coalition of like minded Civilisations; a coalition based on shared Ideals and beliefs."

Naole : " Are you implying that Crystalorb should lead a coalition of like minded Civilisations?"

Amb-Vinach : " The Crystalorb Commonwealth and the Entig Republic together."

Naole : " Because the Entig Republic can provide the credibility the Crystalorb Commonwealth does not have."

Lord-Bital : " The coalition led by the Crystalorb Commonwealth and the Entig Republic would serve as an example of the trust shared by different species; working together towards a common goal!"

Ldr-Remin : " A common destiny? And who are we suppose to form this coalition with?"

Amb-Vinach : " Civilisations who have shown an ability to work with other Civilisations. Like; the United Human Civilisation, the Azleck Republic, the Nabi Federated Kingdom, the Edo Enclave, the Bitori Conclave, the Antora Consortium, the Cromed Republic, the Pretovus Federation, the Zlarfh Empire and the Enthori Conclave"

Naole : " The United Human Civilisation is not what it used to be?"

Lord-Bital: " Yes! But with help the Human Civilisation can once again regain the power they once held; after all Crystalans are still human!"

Amb-Vinach : " Crystalans have a responsibility to the rest of the Human Civilisation, and because the humans enjoy the goodwill of many of the Developing Interstellar Civilisations in the region humans are crucial to the plan."

Cmd-Arog : " The Crystalorb Commonwealth has not forgotten about its responsibilities to the rest of the Human Civilisation. The Crystalorb Council of Elders has plans to rearm and unite the 5 Human Federations as a unified Federation of Human Federations."

Aurora : " The Crystalorb Commonwealth will not let the rest of Humanity pay for Crystalan Arrogance! We will restore the Human race to its rightful place amongst the community of Galactic Species; We will make things right!"

Cmd-Arog : " The Crystalorb Commonwealth will eventually meet our responsibilities to Humanity, but first we must build the capability to protect the Human Civilisation.”

Ldr-Remin : " How do you plan to build the capability without being seen?"

Cmd-Arog : " The Crystalorb Commonwealth has begun the process of bringing the Crystalorb population out of stasis."

Rilen : " The Knowledge Council oversees the Occupational Vocation of Crystalans that are not active in Crystalorb's Military."

Aurora : " The Knowledge Council is responsible for Crystalorb's administration; planning will be done by the Knowledge Guardians."

Ldr-Remin : " Naole; aren't you a Knowledge Guardian?"

Naole : " I am!"

Rilen : " As am I; the Knowledge Council has not yet approved my preliminary concepts."

Cmd-Arog : " Naole wants to bring through Crystalorb faster than the Guardian Council, the Crystalorb General Council and the Council of Elders are comfortable with."

Rilen : " The Knowledge Council agrees with Naole's assessment."

Aurora : " Most of us want the Fleet to be ready before we bring through Crystalorb"

Lord-Bital : " Naole; how quickly do you want to bring through Crystalorb?"

Naole : " Four months; SET!"

Amb-Vinach : " Why so quickly?"

Ldr-Remin : " Why not wait until Crystalorb is ready?"

Naole : " I believe that the Migon have Psionic abilities that will let them know that Crystalans have returned; they will find out that we are back. The security of the Crystalorb Commonwealth depends on us being able to perfect the Vortex Jump Sequence."

Ldr-Remin : " But you've just performed a Vortex Jump Sequence with relative ease?"

Naole : " Operating ships in the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket requires 150 times more energy. In normal space the Spirit Stone's current Energy Absorption rate is equivalent to Energy Output of 225 Standard Solar Stars, but sending the energy to the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket divides the Energy Output rate by the time dilation factor to the Energy Output of 9.825328 Standard Solar Stars. Therefore Crystalorb in the Inter-Dimensional Pocket has less energy than it would have in normal space."

Amb-Vinach : " How do you plan to perfect the Vortex Jump Sequence?"

Naole : " I've identified a 5500km diameter moon of the Gas Giant in the Crystalorb System that has 80% of the base minerals needed by Crystalorb. The moon is solid, with a solid core, and has no molten rock; making it perfect! We will transform the surface of the moon into a 250m thick Crystal, and then we will consume the entire mass of the moon over the next generations as we harvest the moon to build StarShips."

Lord-Bital : " Why not use the Spirit Stone to Absorb all the matter you need?"

Naole : " Matter Absorption consumes an incredible amount of energy! The Matter Absorption of large bodies conducted by the Spirit Stone virtually drained all the Spirit Stone's energy reserves, and it was mostly driven by Secondary Inter-Dimensional Wormhole Vortices. The Spirit Stone's Matter Absorption capabilities must always be a last resort! Harvesting the moon in the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket will take approximately 480 years EST; that's 21 years EST in Normal space. This will give us enough resources to; build 3075 new Nalen Class SkyGarrisons, repair the Adult Crystalan Ships, bring the 2501 Intrepid Class Juvenile Ships and 2166 Indigo Class Juvenile Ships to Adulthood, bring the 2094 Intrepid Class Baby Ships and 1816 Indigo Class Baby Ships to Adulthood, hatch the 23024 Intrepid Class Ship Eggs and 20144 Indigo Class Ship Eggs then bring them to Adulthood."

Ldr-Remin : " What about the Crystalorb Ships?"

Naole : " We would of course continue to build more Crystalorb Ships in Normal space, but building Crystalorb Ships in the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket would be complicated by the inherent spatial forces of the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket."

Cmd-Arog : " The Crystalorb Council of Elders has plans to repair and upgrade the 3800 Esara Class SkyCruiser wrecks and 3600 Casara Class Cruiser wrecks. Once repairs are complete 100 Esara Class SkyCruisers will be transferred to the Entig Republic. The Crystalorb Commonwealth will use the fleet of Crystalorb Ships to organize the United Human Civilisation military capabilities and form them into a single United Human Civilisation Joint Operations Command; JOC. The Joint Operations Command will operate a 9 ship BattleGroup Formation with the Esara Class SkyCruiser at its centre. The JOC BattleGroup will consist of; 4 Destroyers, 2 BattleCruisers, 1 Valiant Class Corvette, 1 Esara Class SkyCruiser and 1 Human SkyCruiser. The 5 Human Federations will be expected to produce and provide the other 8 classes of ships. The Crystalorb Commonwealth will pay 75-100% of the cost of production of the Warships provided the ships are made available to the Joint Operations Command during 50-100% of the deployment duties; depending on which formula works best."

Ldr-Remin : " Will the Crystalorb Commonwealth be returning to the Interstellar Trade Markets?"

Cmd-Arog : " There is great debate about Interstellar Trade in the Crystalorb General Council; many believe that Crystalorb's involvement in Interstellar Trade Markets consumes too much of Crystalorb's resources, and deploying the Casara Class Cruisers as Cargo Freighters takes them away from their Intelligence gathering role."

Aurora : " Many feel that Crystalorb must move away from being an Interstellar Trading Civilisation; take more of an isolationist position similar to the Older Civilisations."

Amb-Vinach : " The Older Civilisations are isolationist to avoid the mistakes of the past; to give younger Civilisations the freedom to determine their own destinies."

Ldr-Remin : " The Galactic Alliance needs the Crystalorb Commonwealth to return to Interstellar Trade; it fosters good relations between different species."

Amb-Vinach : " The fall of the Human race as an Interstellar Trading Civilisation has left a void that has not been filled; consequently the Interstellar Trade levels have decreased by 40% from their peak at the height of the Human Civilisation in 2455 ESD."

Lord-Bital: " The Galactic Alliance needs the Crystalorb Commonwealth to keep an eye on the Developing Interstellar Civilisations; and the best way to do this is through Interstellar Trade"

Naole : " Crystalorb's Economic activities have always been a way for Crystalorb to build good relations with others, and I'm confident that the Council of Elders will take into account the needs of the Galactic Alliance and allow the return to Interstellar Trading. However; for the moment we'll try to keep Crystalorb's return secret."

Cmd-Arog : " The Council of Elders and the Crystalorb General Council have authorized the transfer of Crystalorb's Data on Inter-Dimensional Pocket and Vortex Jump Sequences to; the Jiquam Federation, the Folong Empire, the Carmak Republic, the Hildrano Enclave, the Andronian Federation, the O'con Federation and the Entig Republic. As per previous agreements with the Crystalorb Commonwealth Crystalorb's Technology on Inter-Dimensional Pocket and Vortex Jump Sequences may not be shared with anyone without the approval of the Crystalorb Commonwealth; this serves to exclude the Galactic Alliance from Crystalorb's Technological Advances. The Council of Elders and the Crystalorb General Council do not want Crystalorb's Technology ending up in the wrong hands."

Ldr-Remin : " What about the Azlecks? Haven't they been good friends to you?"

Naole : " The Azlecks have been fantastic friends to the Human race! However the Azleck Republic has technology sharing agreements with the Nabi Federated Kingdom and Bitori Conclave, and that presents all sorts of problems."

Aurora : " Crystalorb's plan is to take some of the functions of the Galactic Alliance Advanced Interstellar Civilisations; freeing them from capital planet protection responsibilities."

Ldr-Remin : " Are you saying that Crystalorb will not rejoin the front lines?"

Cmd-Arog : " The Migon BattleSpheres have better armour and Shields than Crystalorb's Crystalan Ships and Crystalorb Ships."

Rilen : " Original estimates were that there are130 Billion Migons/Migonians on 1000 worlds and 20 Billion Hakum on 60 worlds; each Migon and Hakum world has approximately 5 Billion slaves. Crystalorb's current estimates indicate that there are180 Billion Migons/Migonians on 1500 worlds and 50 Billion Hakum on 100 worlds; each Migon and Hakum world has approximately 5 Billion slaves. When Migon BattleSpheres crashed on Crystalorb we were able to analyze their metals, and we've concluded that Migon armour production requires 450 Yottajoules per Cubic meter. We've extrapolated and calculated the Migon Federation Energy production to be more than 1200000 Yottajoules/sec; equivalent to the Energy Output of 3000 Standard Solar Stars. The Migon are simply more powerful than the Crystalorb Commonwealth."

Amb-Vinach : " You Crystalans underestimate yourselves; of all the species in the galaxy you are the only ones who have developed the Technology to move a planet size body across the galaxy. The Vortex Jump Sequence Technology may be the thing that turns the tide in our favour! Inter-Dimensional Vortex Jumps must be linked to how the Phaylon are able to travel to other galaxies."

Lord-Bital: " Not to mention the potential military benefits of the Time Dilation associated with Inter-Dimensional Pockets. The Vortex Jump Sequence Technology could end the O'con Federation's supply problems."

Ldr-Remin : " You Crystalans may have won the war for all of us!

Rilen : " Nevertheless we can't defeat the Migon; we're not strong enough!"

Lord-Bital : " Perhaps you were never meant to!"

Amb-Vinach : " We; the Older Civilisations may be able to defeat the Migon."

Moments later the Crystalorb Commonwealth transferred Crystalorb's Data on Inter-Dimensional Pocket and Vortex Jump Sequences to; the Jiquam Federation, the Folong Empire, the Carmak Republic, the Hildrano Enclave, the Andronian Federation, the O'con Federation and the Entig Republic. The Crystalorb Fleet then left for the Crystalorb System.

◇◆◇