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+--- Thread: The Order (/showthread.php?tid=28148)
The Order - argyle - 10-14-2009
This is adressed to... well, whoever is in charge of "the order".
The Zoners assured me the message would be delivered to the appropriate man. Resourceful people, the Zoners. Well, enough about the Zoners, and to the point...
Situation, your view
You are the protectors of mankind, battling inhuman evils on a daily basis. You keep all data regarding anything alien larger than a bacteria classified, to prevent panic and widespread anarchy. For the same reason, you also prevent any data from escaping via any third party, by whatever means necessary.
Situation, my view
I'm a scientist. All I want is to find the truth of things - no matter what it is. Once found, what exactly is to be done with the truth is a rather difficult question, and who exactly should decide is an equally different question. I'm however a bit reluctant to let one militant faction arbitrarily decide for the rest of mankind, without letting anyone else have a say in the matter. In the end, the truth can never stay hidden forever, and the more you try to hide uncomfortable truths, the less prepared people will be when they finally learn about uncomfortable things. However, this is all politics, and as such it's not something I'm concerned with.
What I have seen of the Order since my arrival in the edge systems is very disturbing. I realise you have a hard time understanding this, but try to look at this from my point of view for a while:
- You claim to have all kinds of important knowledge and proof about a massive alien threat.
- You eagerly boast about this claim.
- You refuse to display any evidence at all to confirm the claim.
- You make sure no one else finds any evidence, at gunpoint if necessary.
I have tried to explore on my own, the results of which I'm sure you are all too aware about. I've found nothing - except Order ships. I've heard strange things, starting with asking me to disappear, and ending with firing on me for refusing to follow order ships to see proof.
I'm sure that strikes you as odd: if I want proof, why would I possibly refuse such an offer? The answer, is science. Science is about gathering data, formulating a theory based on that data, and then proceeding to gather more data of every kind from everywhere - in order to substantiate and/or disprove the theory to see how it holds up to scrutiny. Ships escorting you at gunpoint to a location saying "look here, and only here, under our conditions" is not science. It can be anything from an elaborate trap to get rid of me, to "cherry picking" data, to ... an actual attempt to offer a window to the truth. Surely you can understand my reluctance to comply, not only for reasons of good science, but for my own safety. Of course, the reluctance has nearly resulted in my destruction anyway, but at least I feel better about the reason.
Problems, Independent research
I'm not sure how familiar you are with quantum physics, but one of the basics is the Heissenberg Uncertainty Principle: you can't observe anything, without affecting it with your observation. While a bit far fetched when applied to xeno biology, the analogy isn't completely off. You yourselves claim that the alien life forms nick-named "nomads" are highly intelligent: it stands to reason that ANY data gathered about an intelligent being is going to be biased. They know you are watching them. Their reactions to their environment is inherently affected by WHO is doing the watching, and HOW they are being watched.
Assuming your story checks out: the Order has gathered data for years, researching their dead bodies, searching the ships and structures you have destroyed, and met them with weapons at every turn. The Order can't gather data on the nomads without tainting the data - corrupting it beyond comprehension. If these aliens exist, and are as intelligent as you claim - then clearly I can't gather good data under Order rules, regulations, escort or terms.
I need to perform my research. Unbiased. Unaffiliated. Truly neutral. In fact - you firing on the Darmstadt may have been a blessing in disguise.
My reasons
My reasons for wanting to do this research? I suppose you were right, when you called it greed, but not in the way you think. It's not for money, power, fame or technology - it's for the possibility of peace, and for personal satisfaction. I gave up a life of luxury and put a gun to my head, when I spent two hundred million on a ship to research nomads. I've ruined myself, because I need to find the truth, whatever the truth is. I'd rather die enlightened, than live in the darkness of a cover-up. We are many souls on the Darmstadt, and the one thing we have in common is that we all share this insane thirst for knowledge and truth, even if it will be the death of us.
What I want
What I and my crew want, what the Darmstadt was bought and equipped for, is to do research, independently, unbiased, and unaffiliated. We didnt' chose any old ship that came our way - we bought one of the most expensive, hard-shelled, rare, civilian capital class vessels available on the market. It's equipped with every type of scanner and recording device known to man. It's heavily shielded, and armored, for a civilian ship - but it IS civilian. An intelligent race will be able to see that it's not a ship built for destruction, which is vital.
What we want to do is research the nomads independently, and hopefully encounter them. We plan to do this in a way that you would never even consider: with weapons offline, power core running at minimum, and all active systems offline - close to zero emissions. No radio, no radar - nothing that could be interpreted as hostility. We want a first encounter, where we are as passive as we can possibly be, to minimise the way we influence the subject we inspect. The first encounter would simply be recordings from passive scanners - in other words: gravitic sensors, photon detectors, IR sensors, EM-field quantifiers and even something as simple as a plain camera.
In the worst case scenario, we all die in a burning hell, and at least the Order will be rid of us once and for all. But... if we live... oh my, if we live... can you imagine the value of such an encounter? Can you imagine the second encounter? Communication, even? Maybe it's just the dreams of an old man, but... what do you have to lose?
Contact
I'm not sure if we can reach any kind of agreement or arrangement, but please, contact me on the Darmstadt. Maybe we can work something out.
Dr Ralph Weiss
Deep Space Research Vessel "Darmstadt"
The Order - Tovig - 10-14-2009
![[Image: tovigkelt-b093421b86.jpg]](http://www.noelshack.com/up/aab/tovigkelt-b093421b86.jpg)
..:: Incoming Transmission : The Order Primary Fleet ::..
..:: Neuronal Identification : Rear Admiral Tovig Kelt ::..
..:: Signal Location : Planet Toledo, Omicron Minor ::..
..:: Neuronal Identification : Rear Admiral Tovig Kelt ::..
..:: Signal Location : Planet Toledo, Omicron Minor ::..
Greetings.
Your... request will be examinated by the Order HC. It's true that we had some problems with you and your uncooperative behavior. However, it seems your goal is fair, so we will take a look at you and your ship, Cpt Weiss. Maybe next time, our meeting will not end by gun shots.
Rear Admiral Tovig Kelt
..:: Transmission Ended ::..
..:: Signal Lost ::..
The Order - Sly - 10-14-2009
"Incoming transmission..."
"Subject ID: Ens. Augustin-Louis Joule, the Order"
Though I am not from HC, I'll start with some quotations.
I'm a scientist. All I want is to find the truth of things - no matter what it is.
Incorrect. Some things are not for civilian scientists knowledge.
I'm sure that strikes you as odd: if I want proof, why would I possibly refuse such an offer? The answer, is science.
I must say that you are right. But the Order has information that must NOT leak to any third person. Look answer that is above. You saw how ardently Liberty Naval forces trying to gather some information? You saw their success many times? And what they got? Not more than illusion of valid and significant data. And you must understand that the Order doesn't declare their data to any third person. I won't say this again. Ever. Remember.
I've found nothing - except Order ships. I've heard strange things, starting with asking me to disappear, and ending with firing on me for refusing to follow order ships to see proof.
I must say that they did right. Nobody is allowed in Order systems, except those who are welcome or allowed to be there. Even if your intentions were in-scientific-intentions.
Assuming your story checks out: the Order has gathered data for years, researching their dead bodies, searching the ships and structures you have destroyed, and met them with weapons at every turn. The Order can't gather data on the nomads without tainting the data - corrupting it beyond comprehension. If these aliens exist, and are as intelligent as you claim - then clearly I can't gather good data under Order rules, regulations, escort or terms.
This is our 'policy', if it can be told so(about last words). Who told YOU that our scientists isn't good as your? Or anyone else? I can say one thing: you are wrong.
My reasons for wanting to do this research? I suppose you were right, when you called it greed...
Lie. I never saw any scientist who worked for money. I mean true scientist.
What I want
What-you-want is your problems. Execute pirates or somebody you want to: you'll get the money from naval forces. I am not familiar with how scientists earning money. And I think my advice wasn't really worthy for such scientist as you.
And about researches you want: wait for HC decision.
Augustin-L. Joule out.
"Transmission terminated..."
The Order - argyle - 10-14-2009
BEGIN TRANS
src: DSRV Darmstadt
dst: Ens. Augustin-Louis Joule, the Order
Ah, a reiteration of the standard Order replies. Thank you; I failed to understand them the first two times, and three's a charm. The very point of my transmission was to see if someone in charge, with an understanding of the scientific process, was interested in reaching some sort of agreement that's not in line with order policy. With that in mind, I'll just file this under "miscellaneous" and away a reply from HC.
Auf wiedersehen,
Dr Ralph Weiss, DSRV Darmstadt
END TRANS
The Order - Dashiell - 10-14-2009
:: Incoming Transmission ::
Comm id: Dean Jackson, captain of the Order Reseph Valley of Kings
message begins:
I`m not high up in the command tree. But since we`ve spoken to each other before, dr Weiss, I will respond here.
as I`ve told you before, the places you wish to visit are dangerous. very dangerous. I can understand your enthousiasm. I myself have ventured to places unknown to all mankind, spare a selected few. it appeals to the mind. the foresight of discovery and new knowledge. however, what you will find is not knowledge and lifeforms who will greet you as neutral.
what you will find is death, destruction and general nastyness. as I`ve told you befiore, your "science projects" don`t care if you`re a scientist or a potential threat to them. they will attack. they will kill. and they won`t stop untill you and your crew are utterly doomed to damnnation and beyond.
I`ve seen too many fools venture in there. and I`ve never seen a fool venture out of there. apart from the ones who suddenly had glowing eyes.
the decision with regards to your little trip is up to High Command, of course. but my personal advice: do not go there. it will mark your doom. even advanced warships are not safe in those outskirts of space.
oh yes, when will you get your degree, sir? let me congratulate you in advance rigth now.
Dean Jackson
end of message.
The Order - Tenacity - 10-15-2009
![[Image: 28tkuo6.png]](http://i34.tinypic.com/28tkuo6.png)
...Incoming Transmission...
Source: Admiral Kaylee Staite, Order High Command
-Begin Transmission-
"Mr. Weiss, I'll try to explain this as best I can... nearly all technological advancements procured from alien sources have been in the form of military equipment... weapons, shielding, engines and reactors, so on and so forth. Humans are, by nature, a self destructive species... look anywhere in Sirius, and you'll find constant struggle. War, greed, murder, rape, slavery, and all manner of depravation plague the human race. In thousands of years, we have always remained the same, always killing one another for no real reason... this has not changed since the Nomads were discovered, and many groups continue to bicker amongst one another over petty territorial and economic disputes while the entire species is threatened by the presenf of the Nomads in the borderworlds."
"Perhaps with that explanation you can understand why we are so reluctant to supply any of the information or technological advancements that have been a result of Nomad and Daam K'vosh research. All it takes is one bit of technology, one weapon or even the knowledge of how to build that weapon, to get into the hands of the wrong people... and millions - billions - could die or become enslaved as a result."
"The Order is not willing to have that on it's conscience. We strive to be a life-saving organization wherever possible. We explained this to you in Omicron Lost... we do not do this for money, we dont do it for power, we risk our lives every hour of every day of every week of every month... of every year... to ensure that individuals like yourself do not have to witness the horrors that the Nomads can bring upon us. Every single member of The Order has seen friends and loved ones die at the hands of those Aliens, and trust me when I say that seeing someone who you care about more than anything else in this galaxy turned against you as a Nomad overtakes his or her body, erasing every sign of their humanity and using the husk as a puppeteer would, is not something that you ever want to go through."
"I know that it is difficult to turn away from a quest when you want answers, especially when your entire lifetime has been spent in the pursuit of those answers, but this is something that you should not pursue any further. I know it wont be easy for you to trust the word of a stranger, but I'm telling you to stop this endeavor for your own good... let us deal with the threat, and once it is gone - once humanity can show some responsibility in it's actions - then the technology we possess and any future developments based on Nomad or K'vosh technology will be freely shared with Sirius for the benefit of all mankind."
-End Transmisison-
The Order - ophidian - 10-15-2009
ORDER PRIMARY FLEET COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
Admirality Banner
Greetings Dr. Weiss;
Usually, I don't take part in these kind of requests and discussions, leaving it to be handled by the command board or one of the first tier officers. However, it may be good to explain certain things to you and why they are handled like that;
First and foremost, why we don't want civilian research ships to work in Omicrons and on aliens;
Do you have a ship capable of deflecting any hostility coming from a third party battlegroup, consisting of a battleship or escorts? I don't think so. So, when a third party, not so focused in peaceful science theorems, shows interest in your work, how do you suggest protecting the knowledge and acquirings falling into the wrong hands? There is a reason why Order oversees any and all alien activity going on in Sirius and in Omicrons especially. It is because, in most cases, humans are more dangerous than the aliens themselves in seldom.
Second; why we are not friendly to those who come to our zone, especially with research requests?
Well, from your side, you are one person asking this with good intentions. From our side, you are probably the 10th ship captain asking this today. Most of the craft and crew we intercept are usually after goals of fame and fortune, tingling with things they have no clue about. Sorry, but we cannot know who you are seldomly by listening to your words. Believe me, you have a good manner of expressing yourself, but I have seen worse intentions with better presentations as well. Order will not allow independent research and will prevent it from happening or will oversee it.
And a third question;
We have all kinds of labs, personnel, equipment, resources to analyze and work on alien activites and their xeno-nature. If you are so interested in this, we would be more than happy to sponsor your works, having you accomodated in our main research labs.
We always welcome the science and the passion for it. What we are trying to prevent is the abuse of such things, whether by the scientists themselves or people in shadows, observing... waiting.
With my regards Dr.
Fleet Admiral Rand Seith