Secure Volumetric Information Facility
Star Army Intelligence Headquarters, Vicky System
Director Nakaide Shida waited in virtual darkness, save only a dim blue glow on the floor. They'd been summoned for what was sure to be a treat, having just arrived on SAINT's frozen stronghold in the Vicky System only twenty minutes earlier. With no time to change into a Type 35, a black operative's bodysuit still hugged tightly around their Nekovalkyrjan form.
Today, Shida-taisho would meet with Chusa Helen Klein and hear her report from the Lorath Matriarchy.
A soft chime sounded within the room, produced by the array of miniature speakers built into its bulkheads, provided their input by the PANTHEON node which was housed within the security complex. What the tone based notification told anyone who was familiar with the various chimes and beeps used while serving the Empire was that an incoming, active message was in the process of being received. Spattered across the Director's vision was a volumetric "pop-up" which announced the established hyperspace laser-based communication between the facility, and the distant Leo station. Embedded into the message were the necessary authorization codes which belonged to the expected contact.
Again, the chime sounded, waiting for acknowledgement from the Director, as two-way verification was required to guarantee the safety of the communication channel.
"Authorization accepted," Shida confirmed aloud for the sake of procedure. "Verify Shida, Nakaide: One-seven-thee-four-six-seven-three-two-one-Sharie-Victor-seven-thee-one-one."
What appeared before the Director the moment that a verification handshake was completed across lightyears was a split-second shimmer of the alignment of photons, as an image came to stand across from her, seemingly an island of light within the blackness of the room. That island of light was clad in the same black field-operations uniform which the Director wore, a trademark of the profession it seemed. While efficient, it left little to the imagination, as it hugged the matron-like body of the NH-27 which stood within a similarly isolated room an Empire away.
"Director Shida." Helen spoke, bowing deeply, causing the ringlet curls of her deep violet hair to bounce lightly while veiling her face entirely. She waited briefly for acknowledgement before she would rise, following some of the core of the Empire's code of conduct.
"Klein-chusa," Shida remarked, their weirdly wide smile revealing a fanged Neko bite. They returned Helen's greeting with a little bow out of respect, not much more than a nod. "You look as well as ever. It's good to have you back with us. I trust your stay out there has been fruitful—I can say the Mistress-Taisho herself looks forward to the contents of your report as much as I do."
"Director, I am pleased to report that my assignment to this far reach of our Empire has indeed been fruitful. While initially inconclusive due to the restrictions brought on by treaties, borders, and the local Taisho in command, events have rapidly developed which have confirmed some of our initial reports, and have disproven others. I am able to provide accurate information at this time, which can stand to scrutiny."
Helen's tone was calm like a winter lake and carried the slightest crack of pride lingering along the fringes of her words spoken across the stars.
"I bring word about Lorath fleet movements, production, political events, cultural standings, and—most importantly—their immediate plans which have been in the making for years, only being confirmed with recent data."
Within their computer brain, the Director recalled all current information on the Lorath, familiarizing themselves with any up-to-the-moment news that may be relevant. Shida's creepy face persisted as they took a few steps closer to the holographic Helen, scrutinizing the veteran operative with the same gaze that Shida shot at anyone but Yui.
"Yes," Shida said, coming to a stop near where Helen's volumetric projection stood. "The Matriarchy has been more active of late. There's certainly too much commotion out there to be considered normal for them. I'm glad you can tell the Empire more, Klein-chusa."
"Only recently have they stepped out of their normal set range of probable actions, Director. This incident that occurred was originally documented as a six-point-seven-five percent possibility. A lone-wolf sponsored insurrection carried out using false pretenses for the purpose of prolonging the friction between the Lorath and their neighbors has existed as a possibility since their departure from the Empire. However, the introduction of DATASS, the treaty between Nepleslia and the Matriarchy, had reduced the potential of the incident occurring sharply. This sudden burst of activity was remote enough in possibility to the point where even the Matriarchy was surprised, however, that surprise was insufficient to provide momentum to the incident, as it was promptly quelled. Remote sensors, and the evaluation of comm-traffic, indicated the use of remote safeguards embedded into the Lorath hardware used in the insurrection, hardware which had been placed since the SMX contact on Lor, and my own operation carried out against the Matriarchy some years prior, as indicated in my report."
What Helen referred to was the steady datastream which accompanied her words, transmitted to the Director's computerized brain for consumption. From there, the data was filtered into YOMI's analysis database for dissemination to countless intelligence officers, being broken up and compartmentalized into nigh-unrecognizable data points.
"Excellent work, Chusa," Shida said warmly, sounding too nice for their dangerous, serpentine look.
"Admittedly, Director, that portion was largely left to MEGAMI number crunching in correlation to established xenopsychological profiles carried out on the few Lorath service members which joined the Star Army of Yamatai, and those which were willing volunteers during the brief period in which the Lorath were part of our Empire." Helen spoke in modesty, and providing credit where it was due.
"Then what can you tell me that our computers and deep space senors cannot extrapolate, Helen-san?" Shida asked with happy incredulity. "Surely your years of labor give you particular insights that no MEGAMI can provide."
"Director, what I can tell you is that contrary to propaganda, and the expectations of those within the command chain of our 'regular' forces, is that the Matriarchy has not had any intention to mobilize some sort of offensive against the Empire, nor the neighbors of the Matriarchy. Their posture has been clearly revealed as defensive. No ships have been mobilized in an offensive arrangement in the last three of our years—it was part of the reason why their recent insurrection was able to evade the loyalist forces of the Matriarchy. It seems our fleet deployment strategy has been a gross misallocation of resources. This conclusion has been confirmed through sensor data gathered during our preventive incursion into Lorath space, as well as continued long-range sensor scans, and drone observations conducted at safe distance." It seemed something of unfortunate news, effectively branding the whole of the south-eastern fleet's efforts as a boondoggle, yet, it was something Helen was not afraid to say.
"If anything, the corporate entity, Lazarus, which functioned within the Matriarchy's borders has been more of a pronounced threat through continued mobilization of R&D specialized assets, along with their involvement in the Iromakuanhe crash incident on Asura, where I was able to neutralize several of their assets personally, as they attempted to steal Iromakuanhe technology," Helen stated, providing some context for what was to come. "There was an effort within our Empire to quell Lazarus for a time, that was part of my assignment to Leo. However, due to lack of resources, funding, and interest, the efforts of the Lazarus Consortium have gone unmolested; including the escape of known traitor and fugitive Miles Gunn and Sana Nakamura, which have since fallen from immediate observation."
Years of living within an unpatched and unmodified NH-27 body granted Helen a slight edge in her report; she had an impenetrable "poker face," unphased by the gaze of the Director, nor the probing checks of her emulated Nekovalkryja brain, which ran a Nepleslian 'soul' within, to prove her words as otherwise.
"What has been permitted to happen, through the neglect given to the Lazarus neutralization effort, has been a rapid production of high-end spacetime disrupting materials which have been provided to the Matriarchy, for purposes previously unknown.
"Until today."
"Ah, this must be what I've been waiting for, no?" Shida chuckled, striding slowly across the space forward of where Helen "stood." The lead-up had been interesting, of course, and were relevant facts any good operative would provide, but was something that a project taisa would end up pursuing. "Is this—what did those Lorath dissidents say in their manifesto—the 'ploy to abscond with all their worlds?' Hah! They so soon forget many of those are our worlds. Or is it something more sinister? Given your previous statements as to the LSDF High Command's intentions, I would assume not, but spacetime disruption is no light matter."
"Their manifesto was largely written by a crackpot delusional nobody, who honestly was the worst at their single purpose in life." Helen could not help but to find amusement in the concept, as she had seen others who had been bred for a purpose, but failed miserably; it happened whenever a Santo Hei ended up a greasy smear when combating something or someone which should not be a concern of an engineered warmachine. "Despite the flaws of the source, part of that manifesto did indeed hold true. The Lorath do intend to abscond with the worlds they hold."
As Helen spoke those words, another volumetric image flourished to life, just behind her own shoulder—it was an image depicting the star of the Lor system.
"When Star Army assets were in-system, sensors observed a substantial gravimetric and electromagnetic 'footprint' adjacent to the gas giant, largely 'behind' it relative to the ingress position used by our ships. Despite their star blotting out the majority of what was behind it, we were able to observe a portion of the structure being built."
Behind Helen, the image shifted, it zoomed in sharply while masking the light thrown off by the red giant's corona. It was like a vast sheet had blocked out the stars. Closer in, it was revealed to be an interconnected network of modified construction drones which were rapidly being added onto by additional drones which moved over the surface of what was apparently a shell that was forming around the gas giant.
"They are constructing a stellar sphere. Our sensors are unable to penetrate the interference, unfortunately. However, additional information provided by other evaluations can provide a degree of understanding regarding what is planned."
"The Hera Group will find this all most interesting," Shida said, already "watching" their SAINT scientists access the new data in real time. The scientific scope and simple majesty behind the concepts Helen was sharing certainly called for SARA's direct involvement, which Shida had wordlessly ordered their First Yeoman to address via a letter to Fujita-chujo. "Do you believe that the Matriarchy and their Lazarus consorts can achieve what they've planned? I would not doubt it possible for our Empire, were we interested in the prospect, but can the Lorath make it happen? Will this stellar sphere do anything they hope it will?"
"Honestly?" Helen started, as she turned to look at the simulation of the image, then back to the Director. "I would not put it past them to acheive anything they set themselves to. It has been our hubris in the past that has resulted in some of our failings when our nations have clashed, which have proven to prevent us from a decisive action." Helen's analysis was untainted by patriotism, an oddity among a civilization that was bred on the premise of living and dying for an Empire. "Based on technology observed aboard the Sourcian ship Maras, the capabilities of Lorath ships observed in the field, including the unidentified scout ship observed several months ago north of Cellondora and the 7th Fleet, the technology utilized by Lazarus in their products, and the time provided to the Lorath to carry out their preparation, it is entirely possible they could potentially move their star systems to anywhere they desire; not unlike when we used our own circumstellar ring to move their systems from the southern nebula."
The Director nodded, accepting Helen's assessment.
"That's why we have you, Klein-chusa," they told her. "Nozomi scouts and senor probes can only tell us so much, so your knowledge from the ground will always be invaluable if the Star Army is to place trust in our services. Thank you."
"Director, there is something that concerns me which I must make known." Helen frowned lightly, before a small volumetric window appeared, splashed across it were the unique glyphs of text which only mathematicians truly appreciated. "Our PANTHEON node on Leo chewed through some of the data I fed into it, and what it produced as a model for the energy which would be produced by the structures which we are observing, if outfitted with some of the resources we have monitored being produced over the last two years, would produce enough power to be magnitudes greater than what would be needed to move a star from one location to another across space-time. Even greater than the energy input required for a TDD to function, and would be sustained for a far greater amount of time."
"PANTHEON analysis is rarely off-base, as you know, provided sufficient inputs," Shida admitted, turning away from Helen and placing a hand on their hip. "What most troubles you in the situation you describe, though?"
"Director, you are correct, and along that thought is the problem we encountered: due to insufficient input, the analysis is unable to produce a probability vector for the purpose of that much energy. Too many possibilities, too many variables. What I can say for sure is that there is an absence of any means to weaponize that much energy, so there is no credible threat to our sovereign borders nor assets," explained the violet-haired SAINT.
"Come now, Klein-chusa," Shida said, turning the shaved side of her head to peer toward Helen so that they could see the operative again. "There is always a credible threat. Without such, we'd have no duty to fulfill. In any case, your report has indeed proven worthwhile thus far."
It was a worrisome prospect to Helen, to find a credible threat at all times. That was what led to expenditures which unnecessarily strained the Empire.
"Director, to know is our duty, to know is not to assume," Helen said. "I prefer to refrain from assumptions whenever possible. It is what has kept me alive, and has served the Empire's need of me."
"Of course, Chusa," Shida smiled, this time in a more normal fashion than the eerie face she'd been wearing so far. "My comment was a simple jest. But make no mistake, you are certainly a credit to Yamatai's national security effort. Spending so long among a race as severe as the Lorath is sure to take its toll, and you have my gratitude on behalf of an Empress who will never know you.
"Is there anything else you have to report?"
There was something of a swell of that patriotism Helen thought was absent entirely, yet it still blossomed once thawed. "Trivialities, not worth the investment of time nor concern of a Director. They will be filed, like all my other reports."
"Indeed?" Shida wondered, gazing at the volumetric image of the operative. "You are correct, of course. For another time, then."
"It was an honor to be of purpose, Director." Helen again bowed, deeply, her purple ringlets falling from their station again.
Star Army Intelligence Headquarters, Vicky System
Director Nakaide Shida waited in virtual darkness, save only a dim blue glow on the floor. They'd been summoned for what was sure to be a treat, having just arrived on SAINT's frozen stronghold in the Vicky System only twenty minutes earlier. With no time to change into a Type 35, a black operative's bodysuit still hugged tightly around their Nekovalkyrjan form.
Today, Shida-taisho would meet with Chusa Helen Klein and hear her report from the Lorath Matriarchy.
A soft chime sounded within the room, produced by the array of miniature speakers built into its bulkheads, provided their input by the PANTHEON node which was housed within the security complex. What the tone based notification told anyone who was familiar with the various chimes and beeps used while serving the Empire was that an incoming, active message was in the process of being received. Spattered across the Director's vision was a volumetric "pop-up" which announced the established hyperspace laser-based communication between the facility, and the distant Leo station. Embedded into the message were the necessary authorization codes which belonged to the expected contact.
Again, the chime sounded, waiting for acknowledgement from the Director, as two-way verification was required to guarantee the safety of the communication channel.
"Authorization accepted," Shida confirmed aloud for the sake of procedure. "Verify Shida, Nakaide: One-seven-thee-four-six-seven-three-two-one-Sharie-Victor-seven-thee-one-one."
What appeared before the Director the moment that a verification handshake was completed across lightyears was a split-second shimmer of the alignment of photons, as an image came to stand across from her, seemingly an island of light within the blackness of the room. That island of light was clad in the same black field-operations uniform which the Director wore, a trademark of the profession it seemed. While efficient, it left little to the imagination, as it hugged the matron-like body of the NH-27 which stood within a similarly isolated room an Empire away.
"Director Shida." Helen spoke, bowing deeply, causing the ringlet curls of her deep violet hair to bounce lightly while veiling her face entirely. She waited briefly for acknowledgement before she would rise, following some of the core of the Empire's code of conduct.
"Klein-chusa," Shida remarked, their weirdly wide smile revealing a fanged Neko bite. They returned Helen's greeting with a little bow out of respect, not much more than a nod. "You look as well as ever. It's good to have you back with us. I trust your stay out there has been fruitful—I can say the Mistress-Taisho herself looks forward to the contents of your report as much as I do."
"Director, I am pleased to report that my assignment to this far reach of our Empire has indeed been fruitful. While initially inconclusive due to the restrictions brought on by treaties, borders, and the local Taisho in command, events have rapidly developed which have confirmed some of our initial reports, and have disproven others. I am able to provide accurate information at this time, which can stand to scrutiny."
Helen's tone was calm like a winter lake and carried the slightest crack of pride lingering along the fringes of her words spoken across the stars.
"I bring word about Lorath fleet movements, production, political events, cultural standings, and—most importantly—their immediate plans which have been in the making for years, only being confirmed with recent data."
Within their computer brain, the Director recalled all current information on the Lorath, familiarizing themselves with any up-to-the-moment news that may be relevant. Shida's creepy face persisted as they took a few steps closer to the holographic Helen, scrutinizing the veteran operative with the same gaze that Shida shot at anyone but Yui.
"Yes," Shida said, coming to a stop near where Helen's volumetric projection stood. "The Matriarchy has been more active of late. There's certainly too much commotion out there to be considered normal for them. I'm glad you can tell the Empire more, Klein-chusa."
"Only recently have they stepped out of their normal set range of probable actions, Director. This incident that occurred was originally documented as a six-point-seven-five percent possibility. A lone-wolf sponsored insurrection carried out using false pretenses for the purpose of prolonging the friction between the Lorath and their neighbors has existed as a possibility since their departure from the Empire. However, the introduction of DATASS, the treaty between Nepleslia and the Matriarchy, had reduced the potential of the incident occurring sharply. This sudden burst of activity was remote enough in possibility to the point where even the Matriarchy was surprised, however, that surprise was insufficient to provide momentum to the incident, as it was promptly quelled. Remote sensors, and the evaluation of comm-traffic, indicated the use of remote safeguards embedded into the Lorath hardware used in the insurrection, hardware which had been placed since the SMX contact on Lor, and my own operation carried out against the Matriarchy some years prior, as indicated in my report."
What Helen referred to was the steady datastream which accompanied her words, transmitted to the Director's computerized brain for consumption. From there, the data was filtered into YOMI's analysis database for dissemination to countless intelligence officers, being broken up and compartmentalized into nigh-unrecognizable data points.
"Excellent work, Chusa," Shida said warmly, sounding too nice for their dangerous, serpentine look.
"Admittedly, Director, that portion was largely left to MEGAMI number crunching in correlation to established xenopsychological profiles carried out on the few Lorath service members which joined the Star Army of Yamatai, and those which were willing volunteers during the brief period in which the Lorath were part of our Empire." Helen spoke in modesty, and providing credit where it was due.
"Then what can you tell me that our computers and deep space senors cannot extrapolate, Helen-san?" Shida asked with happy incredulity. "Surely your years of labor give you particular insights that no MEGAMI can provide."
"Director, what I can tell you is that contrary to propaganda, and the expectations of those within the command chain of our 'regular' forces, is that the Matriarchy has not had any intention to mobilize some sort of offensive against the Empire, nor the neighbors of the Matriarchy. Their posture has been clearly revealed as defensive. No ships have been mobilized in an offensive arrangement in the last three of our years—it was part of the reason why their recent insurrection was able to evade the loyalist forces of the Matriarchy. It seems our fleet deployment strategy has been a gross misallocation of resources. This conclusion has been confirmed through sensor data gathered during our preventive incursion into Lorath space, as well as continued long-range sensor scans, and drone observations conducted at safe distance." It seemed something of unfortunate news, effectively branding the whole of the south-eastern fleet's efforts as a boondoggle, yet, it was something Helen was not afraid to say.
"If anything, the corporate entity, Lazarus, which functioned within the Matriarchy's borders has been more of a pronounced threat through continued mobilization of R&D specialized assets, along with their involvement in the Iromakuanhe crash incident on Asura, where I was able to neutralize several of their assets personally, as they attempted to steal Iromakuanhe technology," Helen stated, providing some context for what was to come. "There was an effort within our Empire to quell Lazarus for a time, that was part of my assignment to Leo. However, due to lack of resources, funding, and interest, the efforts of the Lazarus Consortium have gone unmolested; including the escape of known traitor and fugitive Miles Gunn and Sana Nakamura, which have since fallen from immediate observation."
Years of living within an unpatched and unmodified NH-27 body granted Helen a slight edge in her report; she had an impenetrable "poker face," unphased by the gaze of the Director, nor the probing checks of her emulated Nekovalkryja brain, which ran a Nepleslian 'soul' within, to prove her words as otherwise.
"What has been permitted to happen, through the neglect given to the Lazarus neutralization effort, has been a rapid production of high-end spacetime disrupting materials which have been provided to the Matriarchy, for purposes previously unknown.
"Until today."
"Ah, this must be what I've been waiting for, no?" Shida chuckled, striding slowly across the space forward of where Helen "stood." The lead-up had been interesting, of course, and were relevant facts any good operative would provide, but was something that a project taisa would end up pursuing. "Is this—what did those Lorath dissidents say in their manifesto—the 'ploy to abscond with all their worlds?' Hah! They so soon forget many of those are our worlds. Or is it something more sinister? Given your previous statements as to the LSDF High Command's intentions, I would assume not, but spacetime disruption is no light matter."
"Their manifesto was largely written by a crackpot delusional nobody, who honestly was the worst at their single purpose in life." Helen could not help but to find amusement in the concept, as she had seen others who had been bred for a purpose, but failed miserably; it happened whenever a Santo Hei ended up a greasy smear when combating something or someone which should not be a concern of an engineered warmachine. "Despite the flaws of the source, part of that manifesto did indeed hold true. The Lorath do intend to abscond with the worlds they hold."
As Helen spoke those words, another volumetric image flourished to life, just behind her own shoulder—it was an image depicting the star of the Lor system.
"When Star Army assets were in-system, sensors observed a substantial gravimetric and electromagnetic 'footprint' adjacent to the gas giant, largely 'behind' it relative to the ingress position used by our ships. Despite their star blotting out the majority of what was behind it, we were able to observe a portion of the structure being built."
Behind Helen, the image shifted, it zoomed in sharply while masking the light thrown off by the red giant's corona. It was like a vast sheet had blocked out the stars. Closer in, it was revealed to be an interconnected network of modified construction drones which were rapidly being added onto by additional drones which moved over the surface of what was apparently a shell that was forming around the gas giant.
"They are constructing a stellar sphere. Our sensors are unable to penetrate the interference, unfortunately. However, additional information provided by other evaluations can provide a degree of understanding regarding what is planned."
"The Hera Group will find this all most interesting," Shida said, already "watching" their SAINT scientists access the new data in real time. The scientific scope and simple majesty behind the concepts Helen was sharing certainly called for SARA's direct involvement, which Shida had wordlessly ordered their First Yeoman to address via a letter to Fujita-chujo. "Do you believe that the Matriarchy and their Lazarus consorts can achieve what they've planned? I would not doubt it possible for our Empire, were we interested in the prospect, but can the Lorath make it happen? Will this stellar sphere do anything they hope it will?"
"Honestly?" Helen started, as she turned to look at the simulation of the image, then back to the Director. "I would not put it past them to acheive anything they set themselves to. It has been our hubris in the past that has resulted in some of our failings when our nations have clashed, which have proven to prevent us from a decisive action." Helen's analysis was untainted by patriotism, an oddity among a civilization that was bred on the premise of living and dying for an Empire. "Based on technology observed aboard the Sourcian ship Maras, the capabilities of Lorath ships observed in the field, including the unidentified scout ship observed several months ago north of Cellondora and the 7th Fleet, the technology utilized by Lazarus in their products, and the time provided to the Lorath to carry out their preparation, it is entirely possible they could potentially move their star systems to anywhere they desire; not unlike when we used our own circumstellar ring to move their systems from the southern nebula."
The Director nodded, accepting Helen's assessment.
"That's why we have you, Klein-chusa," they told her. "Nozomi scouts and senor probes can only tell us so much, so your knowledge from the ground will always be invaluable if the Star Army is to place trust in our services. Thank you."
"Director, there is something that concerns me which I must make known." Helen frowned lightly, before a small volumetric window appeared, splashed across it were the unique glyphs of text which only mathematicians truly appreciated. "Our PANTHEON node on Leo chewed through some of the data I fed into it, and what it produced as a model for the energy which would be produced by the structures which we are observing, if outfitted with some of the resources we have monitored being produced over the last two years, would produce enough power to be magnitudes greater than what would be needed to move a star from one location to another across space-time. Even greater than the energy input required for a TDD to function, and would be sustained for a far greater amount of time."
"PANTHEON analysis is rarely off-base, as you know, provided sufficient inputs," Shida admitted, turning away from Helen and placing a hand on their hip. "What most troubles you in the situation you describe, though?"
"Director, you are correct, and along that thought is the problem we encountered: due to insufficient input, the analysis is unable to produce a probability vector for the purpose of that much energy. Too many possibilities, too many variables. What I can say for sure is that there is an absence of any means to weaponize that much energy, so there is no credible threat to our sovereign borders nor assets," explained the violet-haired SAINT.
"Come now, Klein-chusa," Shida said, turning the shaved side of her head to peer toward Helen so that they could see the operative again. "There is always a credible threat. Without such, we'd have no duty to fulfill. In any case, your report has indeed proven worthwhile thus far."
It was a worrisome prospect to Helen, to find a credible threat at all times. That was what led to expenditures which unnecessarily strained the Empire.
"Director, to know is our duty, to know is not to assume," Helen said. "I prefer to refrain from assumptions whenever possible. It is what has kept me alive, and has served the Empire's need of me."
"Of course, Chusa," Shida smiled, this time in a more normal fashion than the eerie face she'd been wearing so far. "My comment was a simple jest. But make no mistake, you are certainly a credit to Yamatai's national security effort. Spending so long among a race as severe as the Lorath is sure to take its toll, and you have my gratitude on behalf of an Empress who will never know you.
"Is there anything else you have to report?"
There was something of a swell of that patriotism Helen thought was absent entirely, yet it still blossomed once thawed. "Trivialities, not worth the investment of time nor concern of a Director. They will be filed, like all my other reports."
"Indeed?" Shida wondered, gazing at the volumetric image of the operative. "You are correct, of course. For another time, then."
"It was an honor to be of purpose, Director." Helen again bowed, deeply, her purple ringlets falling from their station again.
