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Visiting the Covenant - Vendetta - 02-23-2018
![[Image: vavtiVz.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/vavtiVz.jpg) |
The snowy world of Elgin has always been an unattractive sight to aspiring colonists. The sub-zero temperatures pose a hazard to any explorers on the surface that remain exposed to the elements, and the lack of attractive climates and resources make it not worth the effort unless you're really wanting to not be found. The Covenant sought the latter.
Deep in the Northern Hemisphere of Elgin, a small city resides in the mountains, tucked away and out of sight. It's protected from the elements utilizing unrecognizable technology, and hidden from thermal imaging. Without knowing where to go, even a seasoned explorer would have a hard time braving the blizzards and mountains to find it. Ismara lay in wait, still well under construction yet functional.
Within the shielded hangars of the Vesuvius District, Keeper Leviathan awaited the arrival of a long time friend and hopeful associate to Auxesia. He was dressed in his formal robes, waiting for the arrival of a shuttle. Leviathan was eager and cautious to give a tour of their incomplete home, even to a friend. He'd tap his foot as he stood glaring out the hangar's opening towards the mountain range that surrounded the city. In his right hand was a glass, filled appropriately with a golden-brown liquid. Scotch. No ice. Despite not being able to drink effectively himself, he kept it close by as he awaited the arrival of his guest.
Deep in the Northern Hemisphere of Elgin, a small city resides in the mountains, tucked away and out of sight. It's protected from the elements utilizing unrecognizable technology, and hidden from thermal imaging. Without knowing where to go, even a seasoned explorer would have a hard time braving the blizzards and mountains to find it. Ismara lay in wait, still well under construction yet functional.
Within the shielded hangars of the Vesuvius District, Keeper Leviathan awaited the arrival of a long time friend and hopeful associate to Auxesia. He was dressed in his formal robes, waiting for the arrival of a shuttle. Leviathan was eager and cautious to give a tour of their incomplete home, even to a friend. He'd tap his foot as he stood glaring out the hangar's opening towards the mountain range that surrounded the city. In his right hand was a glass, filled appropriately with a golden-brown liquid. Scotch. No ice. Despite not being able to drink effectively himself, he kept it close by as he awaited the arrival of his guest.
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Doc Holliday - 02-25-2018
The Democritus came through the atmosphere and into the heavy snows of Elgin. Commander Schmidt was having a hard time navigating as her small flight crew looked for the landing pad.
"No thermal, Commander, and we don't have any current charts of this area" reported the helmsman. Visual was little help with the flying snow.
"Dead slow," she answered, "use a topographical scan to supplement a visual approach."
As they got closer, a communication arrived with coordinates. "Slow and steady," ordered Schmidt.
Finally, the landing pad. The ship settled onto the pad and Doc arrived on the command bridge. He was dressed in his best robes. Not of diplomacy but of professionalism. It had been a long time since he last spoke to Leviathon. Times had changed for both of them. He knew only that the Auxesia liked their isolation and Doc himself still wrestled with his emotions of regret from the loss of Midori. Perhaps this would be a positive change that he needed.
"It's cold, John, so we'll take take the Badger out of the shuttle bay," said Nicole. Loading up the Badger, an unarmed military vehicle from Nuremberg, they made their way to the hangar. It would be only his ship commander, Nicole Schmidt and himself. His security team and small crew remained on ship. The city was quite a site for being in such seclusion. It was beautiful.
"Have you ever seen anything like this, Nicole?" he asked of her.
"No, I haven't," she answered.
Once inside the hangar, both of them disembarked from the truck but not before Doc opened her door. It was his way. Regardless of rank or position, he treated females with the respect of a gentleman. Nicole was in a blue dress and a heavy fur coat for the visit. She was tall for a female and today let her long, black hair down. Doc escorted her to where Leviathan was waiting.
"It's been a long time, Leviathan," said Doc extending his hand with a smile. "This is Commander Nicole Schmidt, my shuttle commander. She will understand if she must wait for us to finish our business."
Nicole curtsied and simply said, "Sir."
Doc then noticed the Scotch. "I see you know what I like."
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Vendetta - 02-25-2018
The skeletal, metallic hand of Leviathan's hulking six-foot-seven figure extended out in return, conducting the traditional shake. "That it has, old friend." He'd say, turning to face the newcomer as he introduced her. He gave a slight bow. "A pleasure, Commander. Welcome to The Covenant of Auxo. You're more than welcome to join us for this visit."
Leviathan would then turn to John and offer out the glass. "I had you figured for a Scotch guy. I assumed you'd appreciate some additional comfort while you're here." He'd say.
Leviathan would then turn to John and offer out the glass. "I had you figured for a Scotch guy. I assumed you'd appreciate some additional comfort while you're here." He'd say.
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Doc Holliday - 02-25-2018
"Ah yes," he smiled, "You know my taste well." He offered a sip to Nicole who refused. She was a wine drinker so Doc himself savored the flavor of the Scotch.
"I thank you kindly, Sir," said to Leviathan.
He took a look around where he stood. He was in awe of what they had created in such conditions. "I must say that I'm quite impressed with what you have accomplished in such conditions. I can only imagine what else you will have to show me."
Nicole was impressed as well as she knew how hard it was to grow up in a cold environment as she grew up on New Berlin.
"I am ready when you are," he said to Leviathan, "Please lead the way."
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Vendetta - 02-26-2018
Leviathan chuckled coarsely through the vocabulator that had replaced his vocal chords. He'd begin to walk them through the halls and out of the hangar, proceeding at a brisk pace. "We've had a lot of help and time, and we're no where close to being complete. Being so close to the Gammuians, we reached out as their natural experience in surviving harsh, arctic climates proved beneficial. The atmospheric shield that covers the city protects us from the harsh elements of this place, but generates such heat that a heat sink needed to be built deep in the surface." Leviathan would explain as they walked along.
The halls of the landing area seemed to be more of a shipping port than an actual public zone. Given the secrecy of this place, it's not surprising that many of the hangars lay empty or were used as storage for construction materials. Many drones and people alike were rushing about, conducting their daily activities and moving objects onto large cargo-shuttles for delivery further into Ismara. A set of signs would direct visitors to a security station for screening, and then a tramway for access to the city. Leviathan would walk them through both. "Having drones and AI that can work around the clock has proven to be just as helpful at maintaining construction quotas without error. When they set their minds to it, the AI really work to get things done." Said Leviathan. He would point around the area. "This is The Vesuvius District. Once the city is complete, it'll be the main port of entry. The large tower that houses the hangars is a small pylon for the shield network that keeps us safe from the snow." He would explain, leading the two towards the tram.
"I'll start us off in the completed districts, before we move on to the separate municipality." Leviathan would say, standing by the tram and awaiting their entry.
The halls of the landing area seemed to be more of a shipping port than an actual public zone. Given the secrecy of this place, it's not surprising that many of the hangars lay empty or were used as storage for construction materials. Many drones and people alike were rushing about, conducting their daily activities and moving objects onto large cargo-shuttles for delivery further into Ismara. A set of signs would direct visitors to a security station for screening, and then a tramway for access to the city. Leviathan would walk them through both. "Having drones and AI that can work around the clock has proven to be just as helpful at maintaining construction quotas without error. When they set their minds to it, the AI really work to get things done." Said Leviathan. He would point around the area. "This is The Vesuvius District. Once the city is complete, it'll be the main port of entry. The large tower that houses the hangars is a small pylon for the shield network that keeps us safe from the snow." He would explain, leading the two towards the tram.
"I'll start us off in the completed districts, before we move on to the separate municipality." Leviathan would say, standing by the tram and awaiting their entry.
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Doc Holliday - 02-28-2018
"The Gammuians," Doc said with interest. They were as much a mystery to him as anyone else. What he had heard about them was both good and bad, depending on to whom he spoke. Doc himself was indifferent as he had an open mind for things and people he knew little about. "You must tell me more about the people of Gammu. I know so little about them and would like to explore options of mutual trust, respect and a working relationship."
As they got on the tram, he continued. "Med Force Three, which works in the Omicrons, has had some good encounters with AI drones. My commander on that ship doesn't prize herself a diplomat but I think she does better than she gives herself credit for."
"You mean Alicia?" inquired Nicole.
"Yes," he answered, "Commander Alicia Cook. I've read her logs. If an AI doesn't understand what she is saying, she......." He paused looking for the right word. ".........speaks simply and keeps doing so until a good dialogue is established."
He then sipped his Scotch. "My this is good Scotch," he commented before continuing. "So getting to know the Gammuians would be a pleasant surprise."
The tram began it's voyage to the city. "So far, I like what I'm hearing and seeing. I look forward to more."
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Vendetta - 03-06-2018
The tram would seal up and begin ferrying the trio across a large gap between the Spire they had just left and the rest of the city. The entirety of it was elevated on some kind of protective platform with a large base. The tram dangled safely from the bridge as it chugged along into the center of the city. "The Gammuians have always been an enigma. There have been several 'nodes', which operates their collective intelligence. Each of those collectives process information differently, which is why over the years they've come to different conclusions on certain subjects." Leviathan would explain. The surroundings would change, as several buildings would still be under construction on the first few blocks.
"Our recent contact was with the Primary Artificial Intelligence. They unfortunately came to the decision that supporting The Order in their recent assault on Freeport 11 was a particularly good idea, and have since gone silent. We're concerned their decision might've been their undoing," Leviathan explained.
"Our recent contact was with the Primary Artificial Intelligence. They unfortunately came to the decision that supporting The Order in their recent assault on Freeport 11 was a particularly good idea, and have since gone silent. We're concerned their decision might've been their undoing," Leviathan explained.
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Doc Holliday - 03-06-2018
"Picking a fight against the Order is often an unwise decision," answered Doc. "When one has nothing to lose, they are at their most dangerous. When the Order lost Toledo, they became their most dangerous."
"But, unlike humans, they can learn from experience as they seem to remember things whereas humans don't do that so well hence why history keeps repeating itself."
Doc took in the view as they moved. He was greatly impressed with what he was seeing. "If this is just a preview of what is to come, I think I am going to like what I will be introduced to."
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Vendetta - 03-19-2018
"It's worse when The Order picks a fight with you, instead. Unfortunately for them, I've proven time and time again to outlast them. Years of fighting, working with defectors, studying their strategy, methodology, personal relations, diplomatic situations. I've taken their ships, burned many more." Leviathan said coarsely. The tram pulled into a large junction, with various other trams heading off into different directions of the city. A large courtyard with green grass and a garden occupied the junction platform, and people were walking through its walkways to transfer to another area. "They started this war, and I intend to finish it on my terms. Or at least until they leave us alone. I'll be damned if I'll let them continue to threaten children."
The tram doors opened up, as the scent of a variety of flora wafted in to the cab. Leviathan walked out, towering over the others. "Conflict is an unfortunate part of our species that cannot be undone. Unity became an impossible task when the Alliance crumbled into the Houses once we arrived here, eight-hundred years back. We've forgotten who we once were and where we stood. We're too busy killing ourselves to band together for a higher cause, and some people use self-righteousness as a poor justification for genocide." Leviathan explained. "However, I take heart in knowing there are good people like yourself still out there, trying to make a difference on everyone's behalf, much like us. Though our... Methods are very different."
Leviathan would guide them through the garden, slowly working his way towards another platform. The garden had a large obsidian carve-out of the Auxesia emblem in the middle of a fountain. "This is our welcome center and primary transit point. Newcomers go through processing here, then are given a residence and work assignment depending on their role in our society. Some prefer passive roles, such as science, maintenance, so on and so forth. Others - family of those in service to be specific, prefer everyday jobs. They open shops, run food vendors, so on and so forth. We work together to benefit everyone here, so that those out on the front lines can continue to secure dangerous machinations from those that would use them to destroy everything."
The tram doors opened up, as the scent of a variety of flora wafted in to the cab. Leviathan walked out, towering over the others. "Conflict is an unfortunate part of our species that cannot be undone. Unity became an impossible task when the Alliance crumbled into the Houses once we arrived here, eight-hundred years back. We've forgotten who we once were and where we stood. We're too busy killing ourselves to band together for a higher cause, and some people use self-righteousness as a poor justification for genocide." Leviathan explained. "However, I take heart in knowing there are good people like yourself still out there, trying to make a difference on everyone's behalf, much like us. Though our... Methods are very different."
Leviathan would guide them through the garden, slowly working his way towards another platform. The garden had a large obsidian carve-out of the Auxesia emblem in the middle of a fountain. "This is our welcome center and primary transit point. Newcomers go through processing here, then are given a residence and work assignment depending on their role in our society. Some prefer passive roles, such as science, maintenance, so on and so forth. Others - family of those in service to be specific, prefer everyday jobs. They open shops, run food vendors, so on and so forth. We work together to benefit everyone here, so that those out on the front lines can continue to secure dangerous machinations from those that would use them to destroy everything."
RE: Visiting the Covenant - Doc Holliday - 03-19-2018
"It's a shame, really," replied Doc. "I know Admiral Golanski personally, have had many a chat with him and we have worked together." Doc sighed, "He can be reasonable when he wants to be but ever since Toledo, he's been bitter. I understand his thinking even if we often don't agree. Yes, conflict is an unfortunate part of our species, a part humanity sought to escape long ago when they fled Sol and now? Humanity is at each other's throats again for much the same reasons."
It was disturbing in a small way to Doc about people considering him being a difference maker. Was he really? Sure, he could save someone from the jaws of death but it was, as Leviathan said, "Conflict is an unfortunate part of our species that cannot be undone." Doc repeated it lightly in thought and then answered it, "Hence why I long ago hung up my robes of diplomacy. All the deals I ever made were thrown in the trash by one party or another." He then smiled, "I'll stick to saving lives. After all, not everyone can do that whereas anyone can take one."
At the welcome center, Doc soaked in his surroundings. He was astounded. Autonomy.....it was something sorely lacking around Sirius at least, in the way he was seeing it. It reminded him a little of the Crayter Republic, families supporting those who fight in a new world. While Leviathan and Doc spoke, Nichole walked over to a vender and was looking at some of what was being offered. Noticing her interest, Doc went over as well. This vendor manufactured clothing...very pretty clothing and Nichole took an interest.
"John, if you don't mind, I'd like to try a few things on and well..." she shrugged in question, "...support the local economy."
"Miss Schmidt," Doc answered smiling, "you may do as you wish. We'll be back later."
He then turned back to Leviathan, "Shall we continue? I am interested, obviously, in your medical and science abilities."