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It is a time of chaos and strife. The Frozen Realm of Wintreath, once spanning across the Wintrean Galaxy, is no more, only a small remnant remaining at the galactic core. In the wake of its destruction, countless wars erupted and tore across the stars. The galaxy's hyperlanes, once heavily trodden, were destroyed and forgotten in the chaos that followed, as enemies sought to gain the upper hand in petty conflicts. Short hyperspace jumps and slow warp drive travel could only connect neighboring systems, and any semblance of unity fell apart.

Now, centuries later, explorers are finally reestablishing long-forgotten connections between civilizations. As societies that have rebuilt from the fall of Wintreath once again come into contact with each other, newer nations that were never part of the galactic community also emerge from the unknown regions of the galaxy. Only time will tell how the new galactic order will emerge, whether it be in war or peace...

Excerpt from speech by His Royal Majesty, Wintermoot XCVIII Kestar of Wintreath, following the ceremonial christening of the Kestar
Place: Royal Shipyards, Frosthold, Frozen Realm of Wintreath

Today is the dawn of a new age for the Realm.

We have existed through the millennia, guiding the peoples of the galaxy to prosperity, peace, and freedom. Yet, in the last few centuries, we have faced hardships without count that have forced us to leave vast territories open to forces of destruction and chaos.

Yet, Wintreath has lived on. We have faced difficulties before, and will in the future, but we shall also continue to prosper. Even now, hundreds of nearby star systems are clamoring to officially rejoin the Frozen Realm. These billions of peoples, from all different races and cultures, always have been and always will be Wintreans, and we welcome them with open arms.

Wintrean explorers are once again charting their way across the galaxy, rebuilding lost routes through hyperspace. Every day, we make contact with more lost worlds of the Realm, some great and others small. Many have established governments in our unfortunate absence, and we gladly welcome them to once again join a galactic community of peace and prosperity.

Today, we stand at the christening of a great ship. The Kestar represents our devotion to the people, to defend them at all costs, and to forge a new peace in the galaxy at a time of war. The chaos of the past centuries is fading away, and we shall continue to be a shining light for all peoples of the galaxy.

I foresee a day, when, as in the past, a person can travel unarmed from one end of the galaxy to the other, without fear of molestation. I will be the first in line to reforge this peace, and I urge you all to do so.

Thank you, and may the gods bless you all.

Shipyards above Svartalfheim Craft World
Sector (-17, 13)

Jarl Aragonn Aldrnari walked beside Kommander Vanir Gunnarr aboard the AFS Jörmungandr through the various corridors, eventually getting to the bridge. The Kommander took the Captain's chair while Aragonn walked to the forward window and looked out at the top of the ship. Aragonn then turned to the bridge crew and looked them all in the eyes.

"This is the first Aesir longboat constructed since before the War of Devastation. And all of you were chosen to run this mighty vessel. Your service has been exemplary, and I wouldn't leave our new flagship in the hands of anyone else."

Kommander Gunnarr stood. "What's our launch status?"

"We're fueled up and everyone is on board," stated the engineering officer.

"We're waiting for permission from the shipyard," said the communications officer.

Aragonn then turned back to the forward window. The Aesir Empire shall not fall from any war again, he thought to himself.

"We've been given permission to launch."

Vanir sat back in his seat. "Start up the plasma drive and release docking clamps. Bring us out at quarter speed."

The Jarl watched as the docking clamps holding the ship in place let go and retracted. The ship then slowly moved forward until it fully emerged from the shipyard.

"Take us to full speed and join the fleet awaiting us near the next planet in the system," commanded Aragonn.

AFS Jörmungandr accelerated slowly and started on its way, quickly joining the large fleet nearby.

Now we shall see if those Wintreans will want to throw us to the front lines again.

Gypite, Toobek

Ben Danation looked upon the crowd, filling up the streets of Gypite, celebrating the 257th anniversary of the founding of New Witchmond. He looked up at his great fleet seeable in the cloudy skies. His second in command, Al Ser, then came up to him.

"Mr. Danation, we have spotted an unkown scout ship near our borders, what we do?" Al Ser informed Ben.

"Send him a static message, if he receives it and responds, then send a ship up to them and lead them to this planet. We shall see who this ship belongs to." Ben responded.

"Yes, Mr. Danation." Al Ser replied. He then went to the control tower to sent contact the scout.

"Hello? Welcome to New Witchmond. Please state who you are." Al Ser sent to the scout.

Imperial Senate, Zuophus
New Era's Celebration


Consul Nicholas Æinridisson was about to make a speech to the Senate, making a speech for his 7th term.

"Senators of Acaria! Today, we are celebrating for a new era has come! Many centuries have passed since the Great Collapse. But since then, Acaria has entered prosperous times! We have forged a destiny, and a civilization that shall stand the test of time! Our scientists, engineers, and artists have make many remarkable feats. Our first megaproject has started construction. The Aetherius shall become the flagship and lead our fleet into glory."

Nicholas paused, making sure he was making eye contact with every senator.

"A New Era has started, and I know it will be glorious! I have started my 7th term, and our people have managed to remake contact outside of our borders. It is only time till we meet another fully fledged civilization. Our military has been poor in recent times, Acaria only managing peace with extremely careful diplomacy. But, I will end this. We must show the galaxy we are a power not to be messed with!"

The Auditorium filled up with cheers from most of the senators.

"For my 7th term, I shall make our military great again. It has only been populated mostly by drakonians, and few volunteer. I shall change this. As my first policy, I will enact our military to be mobilized and ready, no longer will our fleet be underpopulated. That is all for today. Glory to Acaria, and glory to the New Age!"

Voting then began on the new policy. Senators debated and discussed over the new policy, but things look favorable towards the militaristic ambition.

Royal Square, Zuophus
Emperor Zemas XVIII's Speech


The day was also an important. It was the day of the Royal Anniversary. For 1000's of years, Zemas's dynasty has ruled. Thousands of citizens packed the Square. Food, drink, and gifts were there to be given to citizens. Zemas stood on the main balcony of the Palace overseeing the Square.

"Welcome Citizens! To the anniversary of my house. It has been an honor being your monarch. Today, we shall enter a Golden Age. The Empire can only increase in Prosperity from here. We have made amazing discoveries and technologies. The Aetherius Project is in full swing and we have been rich in our secure nation. Soon, we will send ships to leave our borders and once again explore and make contact with the entire galaxy. Anyways, let the Festivities begin!"

Meanwhile...

The scout was surprised to receive a message. He was sent on a mission to explore in this direction of the galaxy. He decided to respond since it wasn't worth being shot down as a pirate. Especially in the expensive Specter starfighter.

"Hello, this is Pergec Adharan speaking. Part of Acaria's 2nd Recon Division. Sent to explore the galaxy."

Excerpt From Annual Imperial Address
Imperial Palace, Romulus.

His Imperial Majesty Augustus Toridex speaks from the Marble Dais of the Emperor:

"...Additionally, I am proud to announce this day that we have finally deployed the Tal Shiar 35th Fleet, composed of approximately 212 Excursor-class Exploration Cruisers have been dispatched to search the surrounding sectors for acceptable areas to further expand the empire in. 

Furthermore, to supplement our magnificent Imperial Star Navy, and to provide additional security as we rediscover the galaxy, and whatever empires may want to take portions of our great empire, I have instructed all Imperial Cloning Facilities throughout the empire to resume full production of Cloned Legions.  Any civilisation that has developed in the wake of the Galactic Civil Wars that is a danger to our hard work and progress will be dealt with quickly and efficiently. 

Our Glorious Empire continues to expand!  Thank you all for your hard work.  This is not the accomplishment of any of us here on the Capitoline, but the result of the hard work of tens of trillions of citizens throughout the empire.  I commend you all!  Romulus hodie, Romulus crasum, Romulus aeternum!
On Romulan Warbird Aeterna Venatora,
Deployed to Explore Unknown Space.

After receiving and decoding the message originating on New Witchmond (the name of the planet, according to the message), the crew of the Aeterna Venatora panicked.  They double checked their cloaking devices and scanned the surrounding area.  Luckily, they soon determined that there was no malfunction in the cloaking device, but that the message was directed to an unidentified scout craft approximately .6 light-years away—not them.  Tal Shiar Major Telsnen ordered the Venatora to follow the vessel into the New Witchmond space as the message requested, his curiosity peaked by the prospect of a new world, one that appeared to have survived intact just as well.  He sent an encoded subspace message back to the Tal Shiar Headquarters on Romulus, designed to look like a normal piece of the usual subspace interference, to inform the General Nevorek, his superior, of the Venatora's whereabouts, then watched as the Excursor-class closed in on the scout, and New Witchmond. 
Tal Shiar Headquarters, Deep Below The Imperial Palace in the Capitoline Senatorial Complex, Romulus.

"General Nevorek, we have received an update from the Aeterna Venatora.  They have located an advanced inhabited system and a scout craft that they have started to track.  Would you like to respond?"

"Yes, most certainly."  The 167-year-old Vulcan replied, carefully going over the most recent reports from nearby sectors.  "Tell them to initiate protocol 126-B." 

Al Ser listened in on the reply and realize it belonged to their neighboring empire, Acaria. "Ah, sorry for the inconvienence, we weren't able see your nation's markings on the radar. You may continue on with your explorations.

Al Ser made his way back to the celebration and met up with Ben Danation. "The ship had no markings, but it was a scout recon ship belonging to Acaria. The ship was exploring lands past our empire. I let them continue on."

"Very well. Check the footage around around our borders. Make sure no space pirates are entering." Ben Danation ordered.

Al Ser came back to the control tower and looked over the security footage. The presence sensors then noticed a small heat signal a few light years away. Cloakers, great he thought to himself.

"Acarian scout, our footage shows cloakers a few light years away, do they belong to your nation?" He questioned the scout.

"No. I am to believe I am the only one out here at the moment. Nobody from High Command has told me if one would accompany me. It does not belong to our nation."

"Very well, thank you for your cooperation, and best of luck on your explorations." Al Ser then sent a static message in the direction of the heat signals. "Hello cloakers? We have detected your heat signals. Please identify yourselves."

Capital Building, Industries Spirit, Avon, Avonite Enclave

Irk Flowchaser hurried down the corridor. He had completely lost track of time and now he was late for the meeting. Again. Damn, he was not good at this whole Council business. He finally reached the Council room and entered. Jan Lightbringer, Art Marshwalker, Des Skyflyer and Kir Darkcloak were already there. Marshwalker turned to see who had entered, his facial expression dropping into annoyance when he saw who it was. "Flowchaser, the meeting started 10 minutes ago. Is the concept of time one that you continue to struggle with?" Before Flowchaser could eek out a response, Darkcloak laughed then said "Big words from the guy who got here 2 minutes ago, Marshwalker. Dont be so hard on the man." Marshwalker's spinespikes bristled at that, but he let it go. Flowchaser took his seat and the meeting continued. Skyflyer stood up to speak.

"This meeting is to determine what our foreign policy should be. We have the Wintreath Remnant close by, a potential threat we cannot ignore. If they decide to try and rebuild their empire, we could potentially be one of their first targets for expansion. The Romulans are also a possible threat, along with almost all our neighbors. What we do now may just decide the fate of our people, so we need to decide who our friends and enemies are very carefully." Lightbringer spoke next. "We dont need a great foreign policy, just a bigger army. Bigger army diplomacy works just fine, no one would dare stand against us with our might." Flowchaser nervously spoke next. "I'm not an expert, but I thought our armies were in a crisis? Dont we have trouble replacing losses in the field? And our fleet is no where as big as it once was, even if we have strength we just do not have the numbers to sustain a long war, right?" Marshwalker nodded. "I agree with the simpleto.... I mean with my colleague. Bigger army diplomacy works only when we have the bigger army. Even Kir over there cant replace our fleet or our armies in time." Darkcloak pretended to cough, saying "Buy more robots!" as she did. Flowchaser chuckled but Marshwalker ignored her. "We need to carefully consider who we want as a friend. We need allies." Darkcloak spoke next "My elitist friend, I could not agree more." More bristled spinespikes, but again Marshwalker remained silent. Darkcloak continued "We need friends. Lots of them. Maybe trade with them a little. Or a lot. Yeah, I think trade with them a lot sounds better. Think of the profit!" Lightbringer whispered under his breath "Put that on her gravestone." Flowchaser giggled and Darkcloak continued. "So I suggest this, we observe. Get a bearing. Know who is friend material. Preferably friends with money. Lots of it. And while we do, I sell you a new fleet! I could have 100 new Pendelton-class cruisers and 100 escort ships ready quickly. We already were working on them, now you can buy them! Discounted, of course. And you could also buy more robots!" Flowchaser nodded and spoke "I agree. I say we wait and see while we build up our strength. Anyone else agree?" Marshwalker leaned into his chair and nodded. Lightbringer barely gave it a thought before nodding. Darkcloak gave a Cheshire cat smile that seemed to show agreement with her plan. Flowchaser already agreed. Skyflyer had some reservations but knew she could not change the course they would take now, so for unity's sake she nodded as well.

Darkcloak Industries went about the task of earning their large paycheck and providing the Enclave with an extra fleet. And also providing them with more robots. Meanwhile, their diplomatic service would observe the world to see who they could possible ally with.....

On the Venatora, Major Telsnen smiled. Too predictable, he thought. He ordered the vessel to return the reactor temperature to normal and proceeded to decloak. "Activate audio communications array!" he cleared his throat, "This is the Imperial Romulan Warbird Aeterna Venatora.  The Romulan Star Empire extends its greetings, and more vessels will be dispatched shortly to open more normal diplomatic communications, but for now I am the Empire's authorised ambassador to both your New Witchmond and the Acarian Empire.  I am Major Telsnen, of the Tal Shiar." 

On his command chair, he sent a message to Romulus. Protocol 126-B has been implemented, as you command.   He then patiently waited for a response from New Witchmond...

"Greetings Major Telsnen. I am Al Ser, second in command of New Witchmond. If you would like, we can escort your ships to the planet of Toobek to meet up with our president, Ben Danation." Responded Al Ser. Al Ser sent a message to Ben Danation "We have discovered another empire, going by the name of the Romulans, we have invite the captain of their exploration squad to meet up with them, anything else you would like me to do?"

Ben Danation replied shortly after, "Send scouts scouts, exploring each direction. With the discovery of my empires, we should figure out who else is out there."

Al Ser then sent off the scouts, north, south, east, and west attempting to find more empires.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sub Legate Al Ser.  We shall follow your escort vessels immediately, and we would be glad to need with your premiere to discuss the establishment of full diplomatic communications between our peoples.  I shall send for more officials from Romulus immediately. This is a historic day for our two peoples. Telsnen out."

Major Telsnen sighed. The interaction was going well. He requested an official Delegation to be sent from Romulus immediately—five modified D'Deridex Warbirds carrying the finest products of the empire, the equipment to build an embassy, and the personnel required to then man it.

Senate Building, Lernaea
"Today is a magnificent day! I am here to announce that our scout ships have taken flight, exploring north!" announced Chancellor Graff to the Senate. What the rest of the Senate didn't know was that the ships were in flight a week prior to the announcement.
A massive round of applause took place after the announcement.

ISA Headquarters
"I just got a report that the Reconnoitre has made contact. They call themselves the Aesir Empire. How do we proceed?" reported Garriot to Morrow.
"Proceed with caution. Let them know who we are... and do be diplomatic. War is the last thing we want on our hands. Peace is what we stand for."
"Very well," responded Garriot.

Reconnoitre, Vigil Class Corvette
"Hello. I am Admiral Victus of the Allied States of Lernaea. You are speaking to the commanding officer of the Reconnoitre. We come in peace," announced the Admiral.

The Aesir destroyer was patrolling sectors outside of the Empire for possible invaders when it came across this ship of exploration. All weapons were powered on as per Standard Operating Protocol.

"This is Captain Bogdr of the AFS Ratatoskr. Had I not caught you before you crossed our border, you'd have been shot first and interrogated later. Consider yourself fortunate." The Captain then removed his helmet to look at the Admiral with his own eyes. "Tell me, what is an Admiral doing way out here? Shouldn't you be behind a desk somewhere?" Bogdr chuckled at his own remark.