Coup D'etat - Session 01, "Union" Epilogue

Cass, Razka, Al, Pron, and Luke are on the Celestial Wind with The Voice of the Deep.

You've left orbit without incident and crossed the poorly-patroled border into KAMATAS space, further from Slemmgraise law enforcement (A concern for some of you.). The Voice of the Deep begins to mull things over: 

"My knowledge of The Spines is limited. I was designed as a general for the war against the Slemmgraise and their incursion into our universe happened before my experiences. However, there may yet be old places, remnants of the PROTECT, and our builders, the Zurai, which might have information on them.

"The history of The Monliths indicate that they would not wholly support such wanton destruction as you have attributed to them. It is likely that those you encountered were part of a group separate from the monolith culture based on Monoliths' Favorite World. Contemporary references support this; the churn of subcultures reported across the galaxy have long contained unrelated references to spines, silver leaves, and the monoliths, but limited information gleaned from the Sur-Et Rim indicate an above insignificant upward trend, both in their prevalence and connection, though the silver leaves are by far the strongest element. They speak of The Predator from beyond the stars. Possibly a messianic figure from their the same universe as The Spines, or from beyond the galaxy.

"To understand what threat the galaxy now faces, I require information. According to my tactical database and information gleaned from galactic networks, there are three PROTECT bases which may still serve us, both as a network of safe harbors and as resources to fight this threat."

A simple map appears on the holographic projector of Celestial Wind's lounge room:

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/G\_/ \_/K\_/ \

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"The Deforest 002 Station the the closest to our current location(X). It was only in the design phase whenever I became isolated, but in theory it would have become a central military and intelligence fallback point along the rim. It was supposed to interface with passive-scanning FTL probes to collect information from across the galaxy. If it was completed, we might be able to redistribute these nodes and begin collecting data again. According to the information I have absorbed from local networks, the Massert NoSve have a level of technological sophistication and political clout that would enable them to fight against The Spines. This would make it an ideal base to fight a war from.

"However, it is very far from the Sur-Et Rim, which seems to be the front-line of the Spine attacks. Also, the Massert NoSve tend to place more importance on their own desires than those of the rest of the galaxy. Until the war casts its shadow upon thier worlds, their interest is academic, not actionable. They make take the base and use it for their own ends against the Slemmgraise or sell the information to the likes of the KAMATAS or Pris.

"Katsulas 013 was a scientific experimentation outpost during the war. "Rumor" had it they were woking on a superweapon to stop the Slemmgraise using their own teleportation abilities. However, success was unlikely; the Slemmgraise have long guarded the secrets of their genetic structure, and with it, the specifics of their teleportation abilities. If any records of the PROTECT survived, they would be on Katsulas 013. It is also close to the Sur-Et Rim, but not so close as to be in immediate danger. It's the second closest base to our current location, just coreward of Ma-Torel, where I am told Cass and Al were recently.

"However, it is within the Old Sectors of the Free Alliance; the areas most heavily devastated during their Civil War. Many worlds in the area have been savaged and refugees are plentiful. Worse, the weak presence of the Free Alliance Navies gives the KAMATAS, Pris, Slemmgraise, and other, rogue ships free reign to operate in the area. Often violently.

"The Guinness Shipyards, along The Dark Rim are purposefully concealed in a stable asteroid belt, and designed to construct, repair, and upgrade shipsof all sizes. It also has extensivestores of ship parts and industrial gear, which would aid any future efforts we make to survey planet-based PROTECT bases. It should also boast a reigment of PROTECT troops and a wing of gunboats.

"However, it is within The Infusers Alliance. They treasure technology and would ruthlessly pursue the base if they were to learn of it. It is also in a heavily populated system close to The Dark Rim; if The Spines should come from The Dark Rim as well, then the Guinness system would certainly be targeted in the first wave."

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Whatever base you choose to investigate first, the trip is a long one and The Voice of the Deep has plenty of time to answer any questions you might have about the base on Tombs, how she survived the PROTECT/Slemmgraise War, what she might be able to offer each of you for your continued assistance, or anything else.