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The Nature of Predators 2-76
🕑 Added 2024-10-03 11:00:14 +0000 UTCMemory Transcription Subject: Elias Meier, Former UN Secretary-General
Date [standardized human time]: February 5, 2161
It hadn’t taken long to nominate a proper Secretary-General to succeed Kuemper, and I was pleased to learn that General Osmani would be taking up the mantle. I didn’t have any wish to reacquire my former role, for a great many reasons—for starters, I was both a science experiment and a security risk thanks to my digitized brain. Without having an old friend to look out for at the top of the UN, and given that the immediate crisis had blown over without an exodus from the SC, I had half a mind to retire to a quiet life. It seemed that the Jaslips wanted humanity to keep the “Osirs” on our turf, but a few participants had backed out after learning the carnivores weren’t extinct. Would it be inappropriate to consider taking one in?
The first priority was to ensure a smooth transition. Our leader’s selection process had been expedited by the Federation Remnants declaring war on “anyone who stood with humanity,” after learning that we were behind the attacks on Aafa and Talsk. While I would’ve preferred that this found a peaceable resolution, in their particular case, they were too vehemently opposed to our existence to be corrected by anything other than force. Erasing the legacy of the Federation meant disbanding anyone who carried on their name and ideals; the galaxy would never move on, so long as their shadow still hung over us. The United Nations couldn’t lock problems away and pretend they didn’t exist.
“Sir,” I greeted Secretary-General Osmani, extending an arm for a crisp handshake. I’d left a neat binder of priority items on his desk, and was eager to cede the responsibilities to him. He was a fitting choice for the office: a military man who was even-keel and diplomatic. “Congratulations. Might I add, the UN General Assembly made the choice I would have.”
Osmani dipped his head. “Thank you, Elias. It’s an honor. I was surprised that you didn’t make any sort of bid for office, after the speech you gave. It would’ve been your chance to make sweeping changes.”
“I got a motion to lift Aafa and Talsk’s quarantine on the agenda. The rest is up to you. You’re exactly what’s needed: the new generation cycling in and deciding your own destiny. It’s long overdue that us, the ones that came before you, hand over the keys—now more than ever, when we’ll be around far past our expiration dates.”
“I confess, I do worry about the implications. You came to this station originally to speak of the guardrails that must be put in place with this technology, and I’d like to see that through. There is wisdom to be found in our predecessors nonetheless. If you’re willing, I’d like to keep you on as an advisor.”
I manually blinked to signal surprise, and mulled over his offer for a moment. “If you want me to stay on temporarily, at least until talks are finalized with General Radai, I don’t leave things half-done. I have one condition though.”
“Name it.”
“Call Jones on the carpet to demand an explanation for her behavior, then have her kicked to the curb. The Americans have let their attack dog get too far off-leash. Humanity doesn’t need to fight dirty with our own allies.”
Osmani leaned forward. “What did General Jones do? If it was butting heads with you in Gress’ interrogation, I won’t rattle cages at the Pentagon over a personal vendetta.”
“This is about her meddling with the Bissems’ first contact. She attempted to blackmail a scientist into being an informant, and it’s her general lack of moral boundaries that gives me pause. We nip this kind of…behavior in the bud, or else humanity will become the next Federation, bending the newer species to our will.”
“That could be damaging to Earth’s reputation; it plays right into the Yotul’s anti-uplift agenda. Jones and her ways are past their expiration date, and I see fit to leave them in the past. I’ll see what I can do to have her, at the least, stuck planetside…and find out what the heck she was thinking.”
“Wouldn’t we all like to know that?” I grumbled. “All she achieved was alienating a potential ally, and pushing them to the Arxur. And now, those same Arxur are throwing a wrench in a peace deal that was all but final by attacking the Consortium.”
Osmani settled in his chair, leaning back. “The Krev don’t want to surrender their military unconditionally after one of their allies was invaded by the Collective. I heard about that. We need to get Radai to solidify this treaty, yesterday.”
“We get any form of agreement, his strict sense of honor will hold him to it. I get the impression that the delay has been Radai’s standing with his own government. Taylor Trench’s transcript shows that the Resket general suspected he’d be assassinated or used as a scapegoat.”
“While he controls the Krev Consortium military, I question that he represents the interests of the greater organization. Besides, if Radai wants to broker a peace, why has he not recalled the attack drones?”
“You’ll want to hear that from the General’s lips,” I groaned. “At least they’ve been routed away from Kalqua. We offered him a connection that he had been able to use, so it’s within his power. That’s a saving grace, though the fact they were heading there at all chafes at Korajan.”
“The Duerten’s attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’m amazed you kept them here at all—and by extension, made the Shield more unsure about joining hostilities. They’d be leery to attack their founding member. Why don’t you put Radai on the line, and I’ll listen to his reasoning from here? You already have rapport.”
I hesitated, before taking a chair opposite Osmani and swiveling the camera around to face myself. “If you call respect for my morality rapport. Radai is remorseful over the lives taken under his orders, but I get the impression he doesn’t view synthetic beings favorably.”
My conversations with the avian had been intriguing. As we understood it, Radai had felt a great deal of sympathy and a duty to protect the Tellish, but seemed to find immense dishonor in the KC hiding from a false threat. The unnecessary bloodshed weighed on his conscience, leaving him to sound near suicidal at the disrepute. The Resket wasn’t an unrepentant man, and I didn’t want him to take his own life in some cultural display; other elements in the Consortium might lack scruples. We knew much of their leadership were veiled authoritarians, though that wasn’t a reason to continue a costly war. Radai needed to stand down the drones to atone for his past sins—and avoid creating new ones.
Osmani might be better at managing Radai, as a military man himself. Damn it, Chief Hunter Kaisal has done nothing but complicate delicate situations! I want peace between the Arxur and the rest of the galaxy, but they aren’t helping themselves.
Given their loathing of the Federation, I knew the Krev Consortium would be thrilled under normal circumstances to help dispatch the Remnants. That faction had vowed to eliminate the predators responsible for the attack on Aafa, and had declared war at once after receiving the news. The Yulpa had attempted an assault on Liberty’s Bastion, one of Earth’s most symbolic colonies in Mazic space. While it’d been fended off, there were 150 species in alliance: they were stretching themselves thin, but it seemed they had deeper pools of ships than we expected. I wouldn’t mind subduing the planets by force, yet the UN could not condone glassing worlds. The second we crossed that line, it would happen again.
“Good morning, Radai; I hope we haven’t woken you, since I believe it’s early on Tanet,” I ventured with politeness. “Just wanted to check in for an update on the search for the rogue Farsul.”
The Resket turned a large, bleary eye toward the camera. “It’s our top priority; the Federation conspiracy was alarming to learn of, and with this sect holding the view to kill all predators, they’re even worse. We don’t want them in our backyard. However, space is a vast area to sweep, and we have zero leads—other than that they’d have to be in range of an escaping Sivkit. Even if he had information about the Farmdom, there’s no guarantee his story checks out. I cannot misallocate resources now.”
“Misallocating resources is exactly what’s been troubling me. Can you spell out to me again why you won’t recall the drones? I want to ensure there’s been no misinterpretation.”
“I speak plainly, Elias Meier. We ensured that the Duerten were not harmed, since they are now your allies. However, these species bear the name of the Federation, and would pick up where they left off, which makes them enemies of the Consortium. They sabotaged your defense of Aafa, then had the gall to blame you—and are now attacking you. It’s in your interests to let our drones hit two powerful members: the Drezjin and the Malti. It’d occupy their ships.”
Osmani held up a piece of paper, where’d he scrawled words in permanent marker. THE ARXUR ARE ON THE ATTACK AS WELL. HITTING GRENELKA HARD.
I nodded, deciding to raise the SecGen’s point since the Arxur’s obstacle to the treaty was important. “So you’re going to fight a two-front war with the Arxur Collective? You’re both fighting the Remnants, and I hear the Krev want to retaliate after they aided Jaslip separatists.”
“The grays still want our help in destroying the Federation Remnants, though they’re in for a shock if they think the Krev will just accept them backing the Jaslip Independence Brigade. Kaisal crying ‘carnivore oppression’ will make him sound like the freedom fighters. However, I imagine we both agree that the remnants are a bigger enemy.”
“Then why won’t you sign our treaty? Stand down your military and help rebuild what you destroyed.”
“The Consortium has no quarrel with humanity—in fact, the Krev are very partial to you and would be keen on an alliance. However, we cannot stand down our military until the threats we face are fully nonexistent. Sivkits moving a few hours from Avor, Farsul extremists in our space, the Jaslips are rebelling, and the Collective and remnants are still out there: the former in open war? They would have to be mad to relinquish their agency now!”
They? Osmani wrote.
“Why do you say they, like you aren’t making the decisions? You dictate military plans; you’re the top dog,” I commented, following the SecGen’s lead.
Radai snapped his head back. “I don’t have as much say as you like to think. My word is less than useless, and I’m supposed to take orders from mystery figures. They replaced the delegates with who knows, aside from myself and Hathaway, but since I won’t come in—the Resket chair is absent and they won’t say who I’m answering to.”
“Then why listen?”
“Hierarchy and duty means something in our culture. The orders aren’t immoral. I do care about protecting the Consortium, so I’m not about to turn a blind eye to clear and present danger!”
TELL HIM TO ENGAGE MILITARY TARGETS, Osmani penned.
What? The SecGen doesn’t want Radai to call off the drones?
“Give me a moment to confer on the UN’s response. I have my own hierarchy to answer to.” I muted the microphone and switched off the feed for a moment. “Sir?”
Secretary-General Osmani offered a confident nod. “It would benefit Earth to have the Consortium lead an attack on the Malti and Drezjin forces. We don’t want civilians taken out, nor is it of the highest strategic value. Radai can change the programming to focus on ships, manufacturing plants, and military bases. He handles those and the fleet might be of good use.”
“What will we be doing?”
“Backing the Arxur Collective at Grenelka. The Yulpa struck at us first, after all we did to smooth their fur. Kaisal will get the backing from humanity he wanted. Our explicit support might thaw relations.”
“Very well, sir. Are we taking sides in the Jaslip and Arxur’s feud with the Consortium?”
Osmani snorted. “Absolutely not. These factions are all fools to become willing participants in multiple conflicts at once. We can have our say about the KC’s internal affairs after we provide assurances and get their surrender. The United Nations will handle one problem at a time.”
“Understood.” I returned to the feed with Radai, and gave him a serious stare. “The drones. Can you change their targets to military assets: taking out the actual fleet and bases of operation?”
“That would be feasible, so long as it’s ensured that the Federation are not a threat again.”
“I completely agree. Enough innocent people—enough entire species have suffered and died for no reason. I want as little bloodshed as possible, and I hope that you share my wish.”
“I do. I’ve told you what the Consortium thinks of the independence movement, but I’m not sure it’s honorable to contest the Jaslips’ desire to have their own world again. We have not taken adequate steps to mitigate their suffering and also owe them a debt for the wrongdoings committed against them. Not one species has offered to help rebuild Esquo, except you. They have noticed. It is said…that they want your help. I…hope this is not being considered.”
Is Radai trying to tell me something? He would know that the Consortium is surveilling this line. Coded messages aren’t my forte, and I don’t know why the KC military leader would want us to aid the JIB—especially as Resket soldiers under his authority are the ones putting them down. Then again, he said he didn’t have as much say as I thought; maybe that means…
“What is it that you’ve heard?” Osmani wrote within quotations, before making a “Go on” gesture to me.
“We aren’t involving ourselves in the conflict, though it would behoove us to know in advance. What rumors are circulating?” I questioned at my superior’s direction.
Radai cast a stern look at the screen. “The Jaslips are searching for anyone to back them, even by proxy. They believe the United Nations supports a species’…right to self-determination and liberties. I’m not sure what they would offer you for weapons, but the Consortium will not be happy if this occurs.”
“I see.” Definitely slipping us a message. Unless it’s in my head, Radai hasn’t signaled us so brazenly before. I didn’t think Reskets dabbled in subterfuge and subtext, but it appeared to me that Osmani sensed the same thing. We aren’t getting involved though. “The United Nations desires a peace treaty with the Krev Consortium: the sooner, the better. Rest assured that we will not make any hasty provocations.”
“I understand. It’s a relief to me not to be in open war with humanity, and I’d like to keep it that way. I’ll do what’s in my power to move the peace treaty ahead, but again, I have minimal contact with the delegates. You may wish to secure Tellus and the…human babies, in case tensions erupt on our side of space. I wouldn’t like to see the UN, an innocent party, caught in the middle of all of this.”
“That’s interesting advice, General Radai. Given the good-naturedness of restoring our species via ectogenesis, we wouldn’t expect those children to be weaponized.”
“I find it best in planning to keep any expectations out of your thinking, Elias Meier. At any rate, I have too many issues to look at to remain on this call any longer. I’ll keep you apprised on our search for the rogue Farsul. Take care.”
The Resket disconnected from the call before I could offer a farewell of my own, with final glances that seemed a bit furtive. I was perplexed by his insinuation about the human babies; it renewed my concern over leaving them under Krev custodianship. Didn’t the green-scaled mammals see us as the equivalent of puppies? It’d seemed unlikely that they’d allow any harm to befall the infants. All the same, having humans raised by aliens far away from where we could protect them…it opened us to a multitude of vulnerabilities. The Consortium had a sinister underside that’d go to any lengths to preserve their control.
“What do you think about that, sir?” I asked.
Osmani raised his eyebrows. “Ripping human babies away from doting Krev isn’t an option. Requesting that those guardians move to Paltan space, or any other Terran territory…that might help. The first Consortium citizens to transfer to the Sapient Coalition.”
“Will they want to move far away from their homes and societies?”
“If these subjects were already willing to relocate to Tellus to raise the human children, I’m sure many would be eager to live among the cute primates’ society. We can use the cover of the Sivkits moving back to their homeworld, and explain that with ownership changing, they want as few…aliens as possible. We add in additional incentives for the adopted families to relocate, and we can take a lot of the Consortium’s potential toys out of the game.”
“Your plan sounds like it’s worth a shot. I don’t know how much Radai knows, but I doubt he’d come up with that out of the blue. It’s unlike him to think of such a dishonorable notion. Perhaps it was discussed as a method to handle us, if we interfered in the Jaslip war.”
Osmani pursed his lips. “While it’s my intention to deal with one problem at a time, we must show strength. At the risk of provoking the Grand Herd, I intend to bring more UN assets to Tellus. We have to be ready to protect human life out there as well.”
Seeing how the new Secretary-General handled that complicated conversation and crafted well-reasoned plans at a moment’s notice, I had full faith that the United Nations had made a wise choice. It was up to us to find a way to handle the Federation Remnants and the Krev Consortium, as well as to assess just how much of an ally General Radai was. Whatever the Resket’s endgame was, one thing was for certain: any Terran meddling in the Jaslip insurrection would invite swift retaliation. We had to choose our next actions with care.
A/N - Chapter 76! Meier was thinking about settling down and even adopting an Osir, but stays on as an advisor to Osmani, who brings a changing of the guard to the upper echelons of the UN and shows his colors. We learn that the Federation remnants attempted a failed attack on Liberty’s Bastion, after learning about the Tellus’ colonists involvement; the UN also doesn’t plan to involve themselves in the Jaslips+Arxur vs the KC. The one thing that the three factions agree on is to work together to dispatch the remnants, who do have more ships than expected; Osmani acts Radai to focus the KC drones that survived Aafa on military targets.
How do you think the Federation remnants should be handled? What do you think about Radai’s perceived insinuations over the Jaslips and the Tellish children, and what the UN should do about each? How do you feel about the new SecGen, and Meier’s present role/future?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting! Sovlin series will launch on Saturday!
Comments
Dcluigimario
Not the Drezjin! They are one of the few alien species that give the best hugs! If what I've read about them is to be believed! Why do they have to be part of it?
richfiles
THANK YOU! I had to dig WAY too far down before someone pointed out about the Jaslip kit incident... These shady fucks in the Underscales WILL LITTERALLY MURDER BABIES if it suits their agenda... Radai is an absolute CHAD for slipping the hint that humans need to get them bebehs away from the creepy shadow nazis!
DemonVee
To what are you refering to?
richfiles
Edgy genocidal lust won't bring peace to the galaxy... It will just rally the anti-preds to point and collectively shout "SEE! The preds violent!". It would be a rallying cry. It would reopen glassing as an option to use on innocent civilians. fr, fr... Dont cut yourself on that edge. >_>
richfiles
Just tell Loxel that they would like to do a memory transcription so they can have their thespians study his mind to better understand his grand performances, writings, and stagecraft... He'll insist on daily scan updates.
richfiles
Jones dog might attack America! :O
kabhes
There is no next button.
kabhes
Felra would at the very least be a nice pov.
Ezekiah Kane
So you're saying we need zhao?
Maelstrom
SP, you really hit a nerve with Osmani. Popular as hell, but we need to see more of him.
Some Lvm
@Elias: a lack of intelligence is more likely to indicate a failure on the SC side than a proper advancement of the Remnants. Keep in mind they still chose to put living people in harm's way at Aafa than field drones, which suggests to me they have none. Also, even if they have developed better defenses against cyberattacks, does not mean UN and more over the Technocracy don't have batter cyber weapons. We know for sure the latter has been massively building up their arsenal since the last war.
Some Lvm
@Phyco: They aren't at war. Not because they are not shooting at each other, but because Kaisal has no interest in fighting the UN, and UN should have no interest in fighting the Collective. @Elias: that is a naive view people hold who don't have to leave amidst a real war. There are basically two kinds of war: A war for resources or land, which can be settled with diplomacy or show of force that does not kill many (if at all). When you are fighting about stuff, you can either make a deal, or make the enemy realize it isn't worth it. And than there are wars over ideology. Amongst them, the worse kind are the ones fueled by religion. At least with politics, you know the rules are made by people and can be changed by people, but once you invoke the supernatural, all reason must go out the window. And this is what the Remnants war is: an ideological war, fueled by Yulpa's anti-predator religion, and the psudo-scientific "forward facing eyes" religion created by the Kolshians. A war like this can not be settled diplomatically, or simply by demonstrating to the other side they can not win. It can be only settled by a total annihilation of any fanatical elements on the opposing side, along with all their surroundings for good measure. Anything else is just going to prolong the conflict, since ideology spreads and crosses generations like an infection. The Fed Remnants had ample chance to reconsidered their position. They doubled down. Time for them to go.
Mr Mopp
Having the Consortium invade the two mentioned Remnant worlds is a good idea. They’re more likely to surrender to an herbivore lead power than a predator one.
EliasArt2Life
Unless the Remnants have bolstered their cyber security after the UN crippled them. In that latter case, the cyber attack would be much less effective. I’ve heard a lot of people express doubt that the Remnant would have worked on that, but honestly, I see a lot more proof that they’ve been growing during the time skip, same as the Shield and SC. Our lack of intel on their ship numbers is already a little worrying. I don’t doubt that (as long as the Shield doesn’t aid the Remnants, and more unnecessary infighting doesn’t happen) they’ll be taken down, but I doubt it’ll be as easy as the same strategy from 20+ years ago.
Maelstrom
Stupid and idealistic are but a step apart. And to be fair, how much does anyone know about the KC higher ups?
Maelstrom
Bonds are built during battle. Having each side see what the other can do and being helped by them will help foster trust and improve diplomatic relations.
Maelstrom
Demote Jones but have her focus her talents on the hidden figures of the KC. She must have no power if her own. She must be strictly supervised by someone, most likely and old rival. One capable enough of understanding and enacting her intentions and plans if they are good, but who also knows her well enough to not fall for her manipulations.
Maelstrom
Remind them how many times they’ve been preyed upon since.
Maelstrom
This frees KC forces to focus on self defense and targeting Fed remnants. The UN will have to place ships between the Arxur and other allies to facilitate communications and trust during battles. Human ships at the head of an Arxur spear coming from the rear will help ally races understand that they’re here to help, not stab them in the back. The UN needs more open, obvious relations with the Arxure. Remind the other races that the reason the Arxur attacked and preyed on them in the first place was because of their beloved federation overlords. Remind them that it was humanity who gave them the technology to feed themselves instead of attacking them,
Maelstrom
From either side will have to hand off unarmed diplomatic envoy ships at a distance from the station to help ensure safety. Any JIB who refuses to be relocated back to their homeworld and continues hostilities in the KC is free game for the KC. You get your planet and self determination back- you don’t get to keep your revenge.
Maelstrom
The KC doesn’t like the JIB, then let them go back to Esquo. The UN can offer to transport willing jaslips back, since the Jaslips wouldn’t trust the KC and the KC wouldn’t trust the Arxur. In return the Jaslips have to relinquish all hostilities and focus on rebuilding Esquo and governing themselves. They can have no standing army with which to threaten the KC but they may have Arxur ships defending their territories. If they have to go through the Arxur, preemptive attacks are far less likely, since the Arxur have to consider their own needs, losses, and standing with the SC. Humanity, as a mediator can set up a space station to facilitate diplomacy between the Jaslips and the KC. Since the Arxur got themselves involved, they can join in on the Jaslip side of the station. Humans will provide security to the station, escorting military ships fro
EliasArt2Life
There are always other ways.
EliasArt2Life
“Absolutely not. These factions are all fools to become willing participants in multiple conflicts at once.” AND with that, Osmani has rocketed up to being one of my favorite characters. Seriously though, the Remnants are idiots. They’ve declared war on the SC, Arxur Collective, and Krev Consortium, all at the same time. Three parties that were having major conflicts with each other, but now have a bigger enemy to focus on. They should have just focused on the Arxur, and then turned to the KC. Also, with how much attention the Yulpa have been getting (the Malti have been mentioned a lot, but rarely elaborated with details), and the fact that the UN is going to Grenelka, I wonder if we’re getting an arc with the Yulpa (like the Sillis arc), or a Yulpa POV? I hope the promise of Jones getting her comeuppance goes off without a hitch/with a minimal hitch. As I said before, I don’t trust her with the state of the Consortium. All that surveillance and control… I shudder to think of what she’s do with it.
Maelstrom
Did Isshy retire to this station with his puny herbivore?? Who knows?
Xilacnog
Just hit the FR's military targets and cyberwarfare every one of their planets back to the stone age
PhycoKrusk
If the UN glasses even a single planet, then it will immediately become the only thing the Arxur will do. Just because Earth and Wriss aren't shooting at each other doesn't mean they aren't at war.
PhycoKrusk
It is, at this time, unknown if the Krev have this capability. If they do, then it is not public knowledge.
George Smith
Considering the concern, they have about the consortium having the ability to Re-create people based on memory scans I’m almost wondering if some of the infants have been skin suited. Once you can figure out how to put a mind in a robot body it probably wouldn’t be that hard to figure out how to put it in a different species.
Guardian
Yo SP, pkease maybe consider a side-series or one-shot of this attack on Liberty's Bastion. I respect that we have no protagonists in that sector (at the moment/that we know of), but I feel like that's something that should get more than a past-tense mention.
JaxonJak
NO COOCKIES FOR YOU!
Gumcel
“THE ARXUR ARE ON THE ATTACK AS WELL. HITTING GRENELKA HARD.” Lol rip bozo “I was perplexed by his insinuation about the human babies; it renewed my concern over leaving them under Krev custodianship. Didn’t the green-scaled mammals see us as the equivalent of puppies? It’d seemed unlikely that they’d allow any harm to befall the infants.” Are you stupid? Also holy mother of based Osmani, W character.
DemonVee
If you're right, I suppose only a Fed would think that people wouldn't fight against their own genocide given their last 300 years and all. Though even Kaisal said he's going to target military assets, even before the Yulpa decided to attack Humanity again.
Space Paladin
Thanks!
Some Lvm
They have learned one thing: that humanity is weak, and unwilling to fight. They may claim humans are vicious predators out to destroy the galaxy, but their leadership clearly took the mercy the UN has shown them at the end of the last war as a sign of weakness. They realized humanity did not want to finish them off, even though the cyber attack made that easy. So now that they built a few ships they think thy can finish what the Kolshians and Farsul started. And there is only one way to teach them the error of their ways, and that is to glass the key aggressors planets, starting with Granelka, the Yulpa homeworld.
Some Lvm
I like Osmani, sounds like he knows what he is doing: He understands the UN must not try to stop the Consortium from taking out the Remnants, and that Jones should not (and likely can not) be completely sidelined. But this is just a first impression, he has yet to prove himself... As for Meir, I wonder if he will ever realize some times you have to speak the enemy's language to make them understand... The UN needs to start glassing planets, and they need to start at Granelka, which is almost as overdue as Aafa was. There is no other way to handle the Remnants. Period.
Wholesome Redditter
There’s a possibility that she gets recruited by the Underscales
Luiz Henrique Alves
That America is Jones attack dog?
Luiz Henrique Alves
Damn Osmani just made me like him already
PhycoKrusk
Consider that Radai hasn't been there to see them, so he doesn't know who they are. But if he hasn't been there, who's to say they replaced them at all? After all, wouldn't it be that much more efficient for the Underscales if instead of having to work through the bureaucracy every time, they simply became the bureaucracy?
TheBlack2007
We better be there when Jones gets her reckoning. Maybe through Tassi's POV?
Fergon
Oh my my bad. I mixed up date of Quana chapter with date in Quana chapter. 🙃 Apologies
Schnitzelsemmel
FOR THE EMPEROR!!!!
Mark Baculna
Yep. Where isif’s beshie was from
Schnitzelsemmel
Is there a list with chapter povs and when they come? There was something on Discord but it isn’t this far but at something like 66
DDDragoni
The Yulpa went after Liberty's Bastion??? Stripey bastards. If they hadn't already pissed off the rest of the SC they sure have now, isn't that colony in Mazic space?
PhycoKrusk
The funniest part of this chapter is how Meier and Osmani think Jones is America's attack dog, never considering for a moment that the reverse might actually be the reality.
Klusterfrag
Idk, Zhao was a more military guy, more violent on his decisions and didn’t budge when someone went against him, Osmani still is a military man but he’s more careful and calculated, he plans fast like when he planned under minutes on how to use the KC military in conjecture with the AC to utilize both forces for his own objective.
PhycoKrusk
Make no mistake, the Collective's angle is not "sapient rights"; just Arxur rights. They've already demonstrated that they don't really care about any other species, or at least the present leadership doesn't. (This isn't a surprise; Kaisal has never cared about other species. He doesn't care much about other Arxur, either; only insofar as it directly benefits himself)
PhycoKrusk
More favorite than Zhao?
mitsos_pr
Really nice chapter:)
REDemon14
Oh, my bad
PhycoKrusk
I feel like Osmani is a good fit. He has military experience, which is important during wartime, but beyond that, he's shown that he's sharp and quick on the uptake. He was able to think of questions for Meier to ask in the moment, and was able to provide instructions to deal with Radai. I don't think he'll be Zhao - nobody can be Zhao - but he might be the next best choice.
Space Paladin
No, the time jump was back in Quana’s chapter, just showing all the arcs. A lot has changed 😅
REDemon14
I mean, arxur and jaslip leadership haven't talked to each other yet. It's only been a day between Quana's pov and Meier's
REDemon14
So the UN has a new SecGen. I can't judge Osmani at the moment, so I'm gonna take Meier's word that he's a good fit. Especially since they are now at war. I can understand the Jaslips wanting the "Osirs" to stay on human territory. Don't want a bunch of little ones going into what is now an overt hostile situation with the KC. Papa Meier, Maybe? (that'd be cute) Meier comes to the conclusion many of us had, the Federation as it existed to this point can't stand any longer. It's just too dangerous. Now *how* to do it is the tricky bit. Full force and occupation *could* work, it would have a lot of violence from the initial assaults (war) then the following strife afterwards is something to contend to, but sometimes if you want something to truly *end*, I don't see another way. It just has to be handled better than Talsk and Aafa. Yeah, Jones *needs* to go. She is a threat to peace in the galaxy and stability in the SC itself. Her actions had a part to play in the multi-pronged war that's going on. Not to mention that it makes newer species more iffy of humanity at large. On a micro-scale, she turn a herbivore and omnivore (Hally and Nulia) against a carnivore (Tassi), imaging what she could do if she managed to do that on a *macro-scale*. Very dangerous. (she won't take being booted sitting down though) Dammit Kaisal, the whole Jaslip-KC situation could have been over much earlier if you haven't of gone gallivanting to KC territory. Then again, he might feel like he needs to step in since the Jaslips stepped up their attacks after the reveal. A bad move on their part in my opinion. I'm not saying the Jaslips should have forgiven the KC, just that violence wasn't the solution at the time. > The Krev don't want to surrender their Military unconditionally after one of their allies was invaded by the Collective. Wait, didn't the KC do that when they basically took over the Smigli homeworld in Quana's prev. chapter? Hmm, hypocritical. (Or I completely misread that part of her chapter.) Poor Radai. He just wanted to defend his home. Now he has the blood of thousands (Millions by Loxsel's count, but... ) of sivkits, millions of Farsul, and *billions* of Kolshians. In their honor based society, I'm not surprised he probably isn't handling it well. (To the point of near-suicidal ideation). All these leaders keep talking about Loxsel being an unreliable source of info on the Farsul. Perhaps, but have any of them asked to due a memory scan? He likely would refuse, of course, but it's still something that would be useful on the off chance that he accepts to have one. Hell, he might agree to have one if asked. Just like he would've shared knowledge on the Bombing of the Bissem, if they asked. So Radai, still doesn't know who the new reps are? Do they not use the video communications for each other? Radai is literally doing it right now with the UN! Hierarchy and duty may mean something to you Radai, but following orders from a bunch of *unknowns* is a very good way for honorable intentions to lead to dishonorable acts. Last time you did something without getting a full picture, it led to the deaths of billions who you are now repentant of killing. The attacking of military targets only is a good step in the right direction to dealing with the remnants (It should be the *only* target for military action.) I agree that the UN shouldn't get *openly* involved with the Jaslips until the FR are dealt with. However, Radai has disagreed with the KC's handling of the Jaslips. It seems as though he *wants* the UN to do something. Not war, but maybe some kind of support? The KC attacking the human babies would be a terrible idea on their part. Hmm, the UN wants more UN personnel at Tinsas. That is gonna make the sivkit even more upset. Unless they're all actors, in which case, Loxsel might actually welcome them. "Any Terran meddling in the Jaslip Insurrection would invite swift retaliation" Well, shit... Good chapter. I liked it.
Fergon
So we are completely skipping Arxur and Jaslip first meeting and talks with big time jump. I was looking forward to seeing that. edit: Oh my my bad. I mixed up date of Quana chapter with date in Quana chapter. 🙃 Sorry I like Osmani.
Danny Luca
If we want to expedite things all we have to do is tell Jones there is space oil there.
Shajenko
We don't know if Isif is even still alive at this point. With Kaisal being in charge, there's a good chance he isn't.
Klusterfrag
Osmani might be my new favorite character ngl
DemonVee
The Fed Remenant be like: "Yes, we will start an all out war with 3/4 of the galaxies super military powers, actually." Makes me wonder if they haven’t learnt a thing in the last 25 years, or if they actually have something up their sleeves given their hidden military strength. I'm worried that their card is the shield, or at least roughly half, taking their side. Wouldn't surprise me given that they were far closer to the Feds than SC given they were allowed kn their club house ship. While the UN seem on the line about getting involved with the Jaslips now, I bet they will change their mind after smoothing things out with the Arxur after Grenelka. They could hide their involvement by manufactuing weapons and having the Arxur smuggling the in. I hope this also leads to Raza getting to sit in with the other diplomats like the Duerten and Sivkits do. I'm liking this new GenSec so far. Honestly the Shield could come out on top after all of this, being the only major faction unscaved by war... If they don’t do something silly, like joining the war and ripping their faction apart due to blindsiding some members like the Duerten. Good chapter SP.
Hayden Hodge
Seriously. The powder keg has been full for awhile in the galaxy, and everyone has turned a blind eye to it. Now it seems everybody is looking at the keg, and several new factions are showing up to pour more in. This is World War levels of subterfuge that are going to blow up across the galaxy muddying a lot of different pools. Exciting!
Cheesy Power
Well, the UN is continuing their historical tradition of not intervening in ongoing genocides- though I can’t blame Meier and his replacement too much, since they are more prioritizing which fires to try and put out first. It’s still ironic yet validating to see that the Arxur are the morally correct party, even if they are causing political headaches, because they’re taking a firm stance of “Sapient Rights are NOT negotiable or optional!” Which given that they are the faction that needed to fight and bleed for those rights for themselves, it makes sense that they take them so seriously.
Byron Ritchie
Cant wait for the SC to liberate the yulpan planet (I forgot what it’s called lol)
DemonVee
The UN "is not" going to do anything for the Jaslips, and they are certainly "not" going to manufacture an asteroid worth of weapons before asking the Arxur to smuggle them in after mutually dealing with Grenelka.
Elliott
And thats all just surface level, we've gotten into a 4-way Syrian civil-war style conflict not just for actual war but political alliances and public opinion. I have to admit I didn't expect this kind of depth from NoP, it's getting wild.
Elliott
This chapter was a bit jarring because the motivations are seemingly way less simplistic now. Radai (wants) the UN to underhandedly intervene but seemingly to the extent it won't harm the KC but WILL make them cut loose the Jaslips I think? SecGen wants a controlled conflict in Shield space to weaken them, but also wants the Federation Remnants pushed out to get a better leash on the Collective who themselves want a Carnivore (dominated atleast) alliance by offering full support to the Jaslips.
Sci-fi reader
For the immortal Robot Emperor.
Sci-fi reader
She will naturally start or join a Private Military Company and keep doing what she does, off the books. I mean Booz Allen employees aren’t NSA staff, right? Former Black Water employees weren't US military, right? Private citizens acting on their own.
Elliott
Radai said that but was trying to hint to Meier he wanted involvement on the UN's part. Sort of like "It'd suck if you guys gave them weapons to force the Krev to stand down! *wink wink*" But at the same time he doesn't want full-scale war or outright support for anyone especially the Collective. This chapter was a bit confusing because the characters are actually having pretty complex motives compared to how the rest of the story has been.
Aerowarrier
And I know they obviously have been enacting terror attacks at this point, but I highly doubt the Underscales killing those kits was the first instance of them performing horrible acts and blaming it on the Jaslips. I would not be surprised if that group was founded by Underscales in the first place so they could be used as another enemy to scare the masses and ensure their power. I mean I’m still not convinced that leader isn’t working for the Underscales right now if I’m honest
Aerowarrier
Little annoyed the SC isn’t going to do anything while a second near genocide is waged on the Jaslips. Because even if that’s not what Radai wants, that’s exactly what the people in charge are going to do if they get their way. But no, who cares if a race that was all but obliterated gets slaughtered again, their oppressive government labeled them terrorists for acts they might have not even done at first so we can’t get involved whatsoever
TheDudeAbides
So bombing the leadership of the KC turned out to be a bad idea because now nobody knows who replaced the dead leaders? I'm shocked.
Anthony Mears
Don't think Jones will just sit on her hands. She could be just as powerful pulling strings from her Nantucket beach house while the grandkids play in the background. maybe more so without supervision. I would like some clarification on the Kaisal/Isif dynamic. what is Isif's position?
Swan
Far as I know your assessment is correct, although the SC will only aid the Arxur against the Feds, not the consortium. 99% sure the entire SC would be at war, due to defensive agreements (Pretty sure those are one of their founding principles? If one member gets attacked, everyone piles in, although there might be some members currently trying to wiggle themselves out of that one)
Sroni
So, lets summarize - The Fed remnants jumped at the SC, the Arxur and the Consortium, the Arxur jumped at the Remnants and the Consortium, The consortium attacked the Remnants, the Jaslips and the Arxur. The SC will attack the Fed remnants, but will aid the Jaslips and the Arxur. And the Duerten just watch? This sounds like that extended version of rock-paper-scissors graph. Or I misunderstood it, and its not the SC is at war, but only the UN?
Heroman3003
So, Meier is back in the backseat, figuratively and literally. Offering advice to the SecGen. Osmani does carry some of the vibes that Zhao had, and while there's irony that an ideological successor to Meier is being replaced with ideological successor to Zhao, history repeating itself, perhaps it's just a sign as to how unfinished the job in the universe was. The space wasn't prepared enough for the truly peaceful human leadership to flourish. Also seems like UN is doing housecleaning at SC and at UN both! That's fun! Talsk and Aafa getting amnesty, Meier's legal status of being a robot getting cleared up and Jones getting booted out of interstellar politics are now all things to watch out for in the internal politics! Honestly, Jones getting kicked out as the generation before steps away is symbolic in its own right. As for Radai... It seems like he's still restricted. It's hard to tell if he really is in danger, if he's being paranoid, or the worst option, he is already compromised and is trying to cry for help here, but it's clear that he is unable to do things he wants to do all the way, SOMEHOW. Also, Remnants declaring open war on SC and humanity... Just face my palm at the Fed-thinkers, man. They never learn, they never improve... Seems like they'll try to rebuild them again, but this time push for actual improvement rather than leave them to their own devices. Kaisal's gambits are, as expected, just messing things up for everyone. It's understandable why he's doing it all though, and it's great to see that Meier and Osmani understand it too and will attempt to placate him not with promises, but with what he's been asking for all along - real support. Jaslips vs Consortium being hands-off for now was to be expected, imo. Humanity wants none of this war. Yet, the way Radai talked about it and about human babies and Tellus as a whole... It's spooky. It sounds like the colony is basically being held hostage already, just not openly, and he's trying to give humans a chance to reduce the value of that hostage. That confirms that he definitely does not feel like he has any power right now. Who replaced the councilors? Great chapter! It definitely answered a ton of questions, but kept the other questions raised and successfully provided a way forward, for humans' immediate end of the deal. I am really looking forward to seeing how all this plays out! It can't possibly all go as smooth as planned so far, and we already know there are a few underwater stones prepared for things to go south at a moment's notice... Like existing human involvement in the JIB (cough Cherise cough) or Consortium pulling some high tech surprises or the Evilsul showing up properly... Or even just internal SC tensions flaring up. Can't wait to see things further develop! P.S. Praying for Dustin to just be blackmailed into silence by our least favorite american general and not on some blacksite, having torture methods tested on him.
Swan
Ah, so the great clusterfu- I mean war begins. Just as predicted... Sounds like Osmani should be a capable leader in this one, and I definitely agree with his notion of "Dealing with one issue at a time"; although I suspect the UN can't stay silent on the Jaslip issue forever, or even until the end of the war. UN/SC space seems like a pretty likely destination for Jaslip refugees, be they innocents or JIB members, so what happens if the consortium wants them back? Given the underscales track record, I don't think the UN/SC would be allowed to hand them over legally speaking (nor would they want to)
Mutedmirth
Ooh tricky and messy. Gotta be very careful. I'm glad it wasn't so easy to resolve.
Schnitzelsemmel
First and yeah finally they realized they have to destroy the Feds completely took them long enough
