Shattered Planes Archives (Seasons 4 & 5)
Saeculum Galaxy => Tefillin => Topic started by: K2 on February 19, 2012, 08:55:55 PM
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OOC: So I know you're not exactly able to get on at will right now Zak but reply whenever you can bud, it's no big deal.
Robert, the chief diplomat who had first opened negotiations with the Zarethians, now the Chief of Diplomacy for the K Empire, smiled as he sat upon the small K Empire diplomatic frigate, awaiting permission to dock. He had visited the planet many times now, and was well familiar with it's people. He'd even had a bit of a romantic thing with one of the leading diplomats of the Zarethians for awhile, though he'd later been chewed out for breaking policy. He had fond memories of this planet... Fond memories of the last eight years.
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The space above and around Tefillin, the mighty empire's capitol, was filled with space traffic. Lines of ships of all kinds, Mechera, Ferrarian, K Empire and Luxan traders, tourists, and diplomats were constant flying in and out, minute dots mixing with the stars. Around the planet itself were four enormous space stations bristling with various types of weaponry, docks and fighter-bomber bays. Each was painted black and red, the official military colors of the Zarethian Navy.
A transmission was sent to the diplomatic vessel via several telecomm relays.
>> K Empire Diplomatic Vessel, this is the Zarethian Docking Authority. We've been told to give you these coordinates and a clear landing path. Thank you for your custom.<< It said in a synthesized electronic voice.
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Robert sometimes felt as if Tefillin was more of a home to him than K City, and could you really blame him? They had welcomed him here on this planet, and showered him in generosity. The Zarethians were simply a nice people, and you didn't meet nice people in these parts much anymore. Part of him felt guilty about this.
Sure, he was patriotic as one could be, what with having spent quite a number of years as a diplomat for his people, helping form new alliances and what not. However; this did not change his affection for these people. He couldn't help but love the feel of having four space stations around the moment he entered orbit, the familiar sound of a transmission coming through the static of his frigate, and just... Every fucking little thing about the planet.
“Rodger that,†Robert said in response to the transmission, not broadcasting the reply, but merely noting upon the sarcasm of himself speaking to a machine.
Pulling out on the steering mechanism and flying towards the coordinates that were now coming up on the small LCD screen in front of him at his console, Robert approached the docking station gracefully.
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The magnetic locks, standard procedure for all Zarethian landing and docking stations, settled onto the sides of the ship and clamped it in place. The mag locks led the ship gently down to the station and held it tight. When it was time for the ship to leave, the go given to the computer system by the System Analyst, the mag locks would back it out into and open area and allow it to fly off.
The ship was held a foot above the cemented landing pad in a Zarethian hangar. Around them was bustling activity as other high profile individuals arrived and were sent off. In front of the ship stood a gaggle of various Zarethians, some friends and some on official business to welcome the well known ambassador back to the city. Specifically stood an older fellow in scarlet robes with gold tinsling, smiling and waiting for the ship's passenger, an old friend, to come on down.
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"Hello," Robert would say to the various men, shaking their hands, till he got to the one in the sparkling robes towards the back. "Old friend," he said, nodding his head and bowing per Zarethian custom, "It has been far too long."
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The man shook his hand and nodded. "Indeed it has, Robert." Jakob said, still smiling toothily. "I expect that the K Empire has some interesting news if they're sending you back here." He said, sweeping his hand towards the door and began walking.
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"Indeed we do," Robert replied, smiling. "We're trying to bridge relations between you and another of our allies. That's all. Nothing to get excited about, my friend."
However; Jakob would notice that Robert had slipped a small sheet of paper into Jakob's hand, reading, "Need to talk in private, Tefillin not safe."
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Jakob's eyes flicked down at the note then back up to Robert. He continued smiling, though the light drained from his eyes and was replaced with a dull disapointment. Golden ages would never last, it seems.
"Oh? And which of your allies would that be?" Jakob said, entering the pressure sensitve doorway as the pneumetic door slid open. He continued walking into the conference room, where he dismissed the other staff.
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"The Marid, my good sir," he replied, smiling as he followed Jakob into the conference room, "It seems t-"
Once the conference room doors shut, Robert sighed a deep sigh as he sunk into a chair in the room. He was silent for a brief moment before nodding his head towards his friend. "I'm sorry to get you wrapped up in this, but it seems that you are one of the only ones I can trust right now... Is this room bugged?"
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Jakob shook his head. "This is where the main diplomatic meetings are, any bugs would be a violation of Zarethian Diplomatic code seventy two." His eyes darted around nervously. "Although that doesn't stop them, normally.... but we wouldn't be able to find the bugs anyway." He crossed over to where Robert sat and leant on the table. "What is it, Robert?" He asked, brow furrowed in concern.
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"Files," he replied, his voice full of worry. "I've been in charge of a committee which is decommissioning former classified files... Shredding and burning. I came across one file from eight years ago, when the K Empire was founded... I'm sure you're aware of the situation that occurred in the senate with the Anrufe member named Green Zero eight years ago, right?"
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"Yes, of course." Jakob nodded. He remembered the flurry of rumors that just kept getting stranger and stranger. He had to track down his brother-in-law, a senator's aide, just to get a fair view.
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"Our first emperor, K2323, father of our current emperor. He arrived here, shortly after that incident, claiming that Green Zero was working for him," Robert reminded Jakob, "It seems that K2323 was unaware of it at the time, but our intel later revealed that Green Zero, who had been employed by K2323 to keep tabs on certain... parties... Was betraying K2323. Our intel seems to link him to various officials on your planet, specifically in the Hand."
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Jakob pulled up his own chair and sat, his heart dropping to his stomach. "I suppose this shouldn't come as any real surprise." He said after a pause. "Eric Mann, the leader of the Hand, was involved in some nasty business... He was supposed to have died though."
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"You're missing the point," Robert replied kindly, "There's rumors, speculation, that Eric Mann ordered Green Zero's assassination when he tried to reveal that Relorian rebels weren't really the ones planning to attack your planet. Only... The file that I read... Revealed several transactions between Eric Mann and... Certain... Powerful individuals in the K Empire. Each financial transaction took place right after a major event involving the Hand or Zarethian security. After the arrest of Lustre, after the attack by Victor Price.... It's all right here."
He brought out a manilla folder containing records of the financial transactions.
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"You're kidding." Jakob said, sliding the folder over and taking a look. His eyes widened with each familiar name. By the end of the first page he shut the folder. "Shit." He muttered, rubbing his forehead. "How have we not seen this?" He asked, more to himself then anyone else. "We need to wipe the Hand.. again."
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"It's not just the Hand," he replied, fear in his voice, "As you can see, some of those involved are high government officials in my own empire... All I can gather from reviewing various files is that these individuals all would have benefited from seeing the fall of Zarethian military forces. If your people were forced to rely on private contractors, as Green Zero tried to convince your senate eight years ago, your military would have been significantly weakened. This would have allowed Mann to easily take control of your empire..."
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Jakob shook his head. "Our government disdains privatized contracts. There are only a few who are subject to any government sponsorship, the military is the biggest expendature... Theres no way that this would've worked... " Jakob sighed. "But why have you come to us now? This was eight years ago... Are those individuals still in power?"
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"You don't understand," he replied, his eyes shifting, "One of the individuals on the list is... No, we can't talk about it here. Not safe... Let's just say a certain prince is involved."
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"A certain high prince? A leader of some regard, who happened to visit the planet when this was happening?" Jakob asked, eyes narrowing.
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"I don't believe he visited your planet, though yes, I think you have the right idea," he replied.
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"Ballocks..." Jakob sighed, slumping into a seat. "Why did you come here to tell me of this?"
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"Quite frankly," Robert replied, "I need your help. A lot of people are trying to... Get rid of me, because of what I know."
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"And soon me as well, as soon as they've realized I know. Do you have a plan or are you just making it up as you go along again?" Jakob asked snidely, smiling.
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"You know me, old friend," he said, smiling back, "Is there one among your government we can trust?"
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"Several. Admiral Addler vas Vacon is the prime military commander, I'm sure he'd be trustworthy. Other then that, I can set you up with several dossiers once I'm back in my office."
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"Right," Robert replied, "We need to find out who in the Hand's still got ties to... This... Whatever's going on, then."
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Jakob frowned. "Its possible that the whole Hand is corrupted."
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"What do you suggest, then?" Robert asked.
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"If the whole hand is corrupt then we go to the Council, and Addler vas Vaccon. They are the highest authorities in the Empire." Jakob asserted, getting up. "Come on, we need to head to my apartment in order to request a Council hearing."
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"Very well," he replies, standing, "I trust you know what y-"
Suddenly, an awful, pulsing pain filled the very chest of Robert. He could feel it closing in on him. He knew in that moment nothing but agony, as if all the breath had been sucked out of him and a knife had been stabbed into his back... Though there had been no knife to speak of. It had been something far more subtle. Hand clutching his skin, Robert fell to the ground, and in that moment, entered a coma.
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"Robert?" Jakob asked, turning around when his friend stopped. His blood went cold when he saw the look of shock and pain on Robert's face. He stumbled over to his friend, breathing hard. "Robert?" He said, his voice toned with panic and fear. "Son of a.." He shook him slightly and, when Robert did nothing in response Jakob checked his vitals.
Jakob let out a sigh of relief. He was breathing, but barely. He pressed a small red button on the counter and spoke into the comm. "Hello? This is a medical emergency, ambassador down. Please respond."
Almost immediately Zarethian Medical Services arrived and diagnosed the issue. A coma, from an unknown source. They lifted him onto a stretcher and teleported to the main medical center.
Jakob just sat there in a chair and watched, even after they left. He needed to do something and fast.
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One thing was certain... Whoever had done this to Robert, was worried. And worried people would do drastic things to protect their secrets. It seemed that this conspiracy had not ended with the death of Eric Mann... There were high officials in both the K Empire and the Zarethian government involved in something... Something much bigger than the Zarethian Hand, or the K Empire's Royal Family... And whoever these people were, they were willing to kill to keep their secret.