Hydian way trade route

Approximately 14:00 hours Bonadan Standard




Veneva Duros looked up towards the controls onboard his freighter , ‘The Shoya’ , and smiled to himself , soon he would be back on Bonadan, back at South East II, and with a little luck, just in time to catch last orders .

This last thought made his mouth water.

The shrill alert of the premature Hyperspace reversion warning alarm reverbed around the interior of the ship, and soon brought his concentration back. Fidgeting in his flight chair , Veneva braced himself with a frown, as the computer counted down the seconds to hyperspace reversion.

“too damn early”

According to the Navi-comp, he was exiting near the ‘mouth’ of the Corporate sector…

He grimaced slightly in reaction to the freighter shaking as the Hyperdrive shuddered to a halt and the sublight engines shunted into action.

The frown across his face grew in strength as he gauged his instruments before him on the console.

“..what in the…” His voice trailed off as streaming stars gave way in a burst of light to what should have been empty space…

Something was blocking his route, the Navi-comp after detecting it, had taken action , and kicked the vessel back into realspace…Something had triggered the emergency reversion system…

…and it was huge.

Veneva was just one, amongst many denizens of the galaxy who earned their living by running frieghters to and fro across the stars. An Advozsec by birth, after leaving Riflor to look for more career opportunities , Veneva found his way to Bonadan, and had been working as a freight Captain for the past twelve years. Suffice to say, Veneva was an experienced pilot, who had seen a great many things in his time.

This was just one haul like any other, and nothing along this uneventful journey had made him think any different, until now.

Veneva shrieked in alarm as suddenly his whole cockpit view was filled with a never ending mass of shining lights and metal…

…and he was heading straight for it.

In a vein effort to avert collision he pulled up on his control yolk , hard, and the aging freighter moaned aloud in bitter protest , as the stresses on its hull doubled with no warning.

A million different questions and explanations flashed through his mind…

Is the Navi-comp malfunctioning?

When were the Hyperdrive motivators last serviced?

Had a space station been built in his absence?…

For there was no other explanation as to what he saw he before him…

(he checked his navi-comp once more)

…but , there is no space station in the Corporate Sector!…

..but his eyes told him a different story, and in the brief seconds it took for his mind to make sense of these thoughts , The Shoya was about to smash straight into the side of the damned thing.

An almighty thrust of G-force sent him flying face first into his control console, and as he rubbed his temple, partly dazed and thoroughly confused, he slowly looked up.
By all rights he should be dead now, in fact him and his ship should have been smashed to smithereens, except…he wasn’t.

The nervy Advozsec glanced up and stared dumbly out of his cockpit window, and found himself looking almost face to face with the metallic hulk.
His ship had been…stopped…dead, and it was now floating merely inches away from the mystery station’s very hull.

Another warning light flashed upon the console in front of him.

It was the Holo-transceiver.

Veneva , reached to answer it, but hesitated out of fear, for whoever owned this huge construct obviously had great power at their disposal…

Gulping down his anxiety, Veneva activated he comms with no small amount of trepidation.

The cockpit was suddenly awash in blue light and stark shadows, as the face of , what appeared to be, an exotic looking human female, stared straight back at him.

“greetings traveller, I am Ayan, Caretaker Prime of this facility, Our automated system will see your Ship docked safely, we apologise for any inconvenience we might have caused you. As compensation, we grant you free stay for as long as you see fit…
Welcome to the ‘Astral Astoria’… I trust your stay will be an enjoyable one…”


The Advozsec , dumbfounded, simply blinked.

Meanwhile...

Bonadan




"...what do you mean it just 'appeared'!?..." (Vinda's knack of mimicking the ASCA controller was frighteningly accurate )

The Aide looked up helplessly as the Corporate leader struggled to comprehend how a space station the size of a moon had mysteriously appeared on his doorstep...

"....what the hell is going on here!?...space station's don't just spontaneously appear!, where the hell did it come from?..." The anxiety in the businessman's voice was clearly evident.

The ASCA Controller glanced down at his report then ventured a reply...

"...according to the systems, it just exited hyperspace, we've ran multiple diagnostics right across the board, but everything appears to be functioning perfectly. According to our own system reports, that also correspond with hundreds of eyewitness accounts, What it is, came from hyperspace..."

Vinda stared at the controller as the information sunk in, then cast a concerned glance towards a Section Operative standing patiently to the side of him...

"...I don't suppose you know anything about this?...a new Imperial superweapon? perhaps?..." (He threw at him)

The well dressed Operative shook his head solemnly, his voice almost grave...

"...I am afraid we know nothing of this ...facility , and no intelligence reports of late correspond to anything like this..." The Operative nodded towards the image of the floating Space Station rendered before them holographically...

Vinda sunk into his chair, somewhat at a loss.
As soon as the station had approached Corporate Sector space, Vinda-Corp's ASCA network of hyperspacial systems had detected it immediately, with enough time to ready the fleet.

The various flotillas were now in a defensive position primed towards the huge invader, and on command could be made to intercept.

Civilian traffic had been rerouted around the floating monstrosity...

In the space of about twenty minutes The Commonwealth had found itself on a war footing.

Vinda turned to face Achinta , who returned his equally serious gaze...

"... have they responded to our hail's?..."

The Android shook his head cautiously...

"...it appears they-- Achinta's statement was cut short as Zara , Mr Vinda's secretary burst through the comms...

" Mr Vinda Sir, I'm sorry to disturb you, but there is someone wanting to speak with you..."

Muttering underneath his breath, Vinda replied...

"...I said to cancel all my appointments until further notice, Zara!, I'm in the middle of bloody crisis, I've--

(she interrupted the Vinda-Corp leader, much to his annoyance)

"...Its a woman, she claims she is responsible for the space station now blocking the Hydian way..." (Vinda's change in expression was dramatic)

"..what?..well... what are you waiting for!?...put her through, in the name of Vader!"

Planting the thoroughly burned Cigarra within his teeth, Vinda activated the Holo-terminal for all in the room to see, and the face of a Human woman flickered into life and stared back at him..

"...Mr Vinda I presume?..."

The Woman's voice had a sultry , warm tone which only seemed to enhance her foreign accent, but it also held a certain elequance.

Removing the Cigarra from his mouth, Vinda , frowning slightly, nodded slowly before replying...

"...yes, you presume right, could I venture as to who in the hell you are , and why you are blocking our main hyperspace lanes?..." He growled, gruffly.

The woman smiled , unexpectedly, and bowed her head a little...

"..it is an honour to speak with you Mr Vinda. My name is Ayan, Caretaker Prime of the 'Astral Astoria' . I must start by first apologising for our clumsy exit into your Hyperspace routes, and as a token of our sincerity we shall compensate you for your lost business..."

Both relaxing and Nodding at the woman's words Vinda threw a glance over to the corner to the room where his accountant sat, who, taking it as his cue, started to calculate the various figures involved.
Vinda smiled shrewdly...

"...that could prove to be expensive , Miss ...er...Ayan..."

The smile was returned by the woman before him...

"...it matters not, we have more than enough, what does matter is our future business partnership..."

The Corporate leader was a little taken aback at the woman's directness...

"...I see...and just what business partnership , do you have in mind, Ms Ayan?..."

The woman smiled once more and responded without missing a beat...

"...Please, Mr Vinda, come meet with me onboard the Astral Astoria , and we can discuss these matters face to face. I would consider it a great honour, and it would spread more light on the proposition I have waiting for you..."

With that, the holo-feed was cut. Leaving , both Vinda and the others looking at each other slightly dumbfounded.

After a long hard drag on his cigarra, Vinda was first to break the silence...

"..well...what the hell, ready my shuttle...."

The Section Operative stepped forward to express his concerns...

"..Mr Vinda , I must advise against this, we don't know what lies on that station, it could be some kind of elaborate trap, it still could be a precursor to war..."

From the corner of his eye Vinda caught sight of Achinta nodding in agreement, and as he gathered his things together, Vinda muttered through clenched teeth and a cigarra...

"...I'll take that onboard, Achinta, you're with me..." (he turned back to the Section agent beside him)"... keep the fleet in position and on standby, if there really is nothing to fear, then I shall find out soon enough, be sure to announce the redirection of Hydian traffic over the holo-net..."

As the entourage murmured their acknowledgements and hurried off to carry out their orders, Vinda with Achinta in tow made their way to where Mr Vinda's private shuttle, The Narcissus, was waiting.

The Corporate man's cigarra left a pale ghostly blue trail of smoke in his wake...

His mind was now whirling with the possibilities which may well be ahead of him, and his eyes narrowed in reaction...

...this better be good...

[font=Arial Black]DELETE ME>


:yuck




[/font]

Onboard the Station - The Command center


Ayan, allowed a small smile to formulate as the transmission was cut, in the corner of her eye she could see the head concierge trying desperately to not interrupt, but failing, he was excited...

She sighed aloud, and without looking towards him, spoke without irritation...

"..what is it Nessus?..."

The Android's electronic voice buzzed its response...

"...am I to understand it, there are important visitors coming?...shall I break out the fine Andelucian silverware?...ready the Ambassadorial suites?..."

Ayan , turned to face the Android with a smile of pure bemusement, the Android could hardly contain himself....

"...yes, Nessus, they shall be here shortly, a couple of hours I should suspect, the Ambassadorial suites would certainly be the most fitting...."

The Android froze, and clamped his hands over the top of his head in a kind of horror...

"...two hours!?...they'll be here in two hours!?....heavens above, heavens below!...I have to get ready, I must prepare!...so much to do, so much to do...""

Ayan raised her hand in order to calm the droid down,( over the years he'd grown to become more than a little eccentric).

"...compose yourself Nessus; 'he who contains himself, seldom goes wrong'..."

The Android seemed to think about this for a moment , then nodded his approval...

"...yes, yes, as always, you are correct Mistress Ayan..."

Placing her hands into her long silken sleeves, obscuring them both, Ayan, glanced down at the ancient, but highly advanced control system in front of her and continued speaking , unaware that the android had already exited the room...

"...could you please inform Superintendent Kesser of the expected guests, Nessus...he's switched his comm unit off again..."

She turned around to find herself alone, but with the familiar voice of Nessus echoing down the corridor...

"...yes, yes, Michalson , yes..."


Shaking her head slowly she turned her attention towards the console in front of her.

"...Janus, Hyperdrive operational status, damage assessment..."

Ayan, was alone in the immense control room, but for one exception, the Station itself.
In response to her question, the computer did as it was told...

[font=Arial Black]- Complying[/font][font=Arial Black].[/font]

[font=Arial Black]- Singularity Drive - Overload, system short circuit, damage assessment 85%. I strongly advise against engaging the hyperdrive control system, until replacement Drive has been fitted.

-Decks 179 and 173 are without gravity. Alternating central-fushion system must be replaced with fresh Progeneum Crystals.

- Exterior Laser defence grid is currently inoperational due to Power overload and misalignment of Quantum crystal entanglement matrix.

[/font]"Janus , stop!..." Groaned Ayan, her expression one of defeat...[font=Arial Black]
[/font]
[font=Arial Black]- Complying[/font][font=Arial Black].

[/font]She looked around and sighed aloud...


"...it appears, we aren't going anywhere..."
[font=Arial Black]
[/font]
[font=Arial Black]
[/font]

[font=Arial Black]

[/font]

Corporate Sector Space - Hydian Way

Onboard the Narcissus




Vinda watched, entranced at the streaks of light streaming by, deep in thought...

...was this indeed some kind of trap?...

He idly thumbed an unlit Cigarra as he pondered this thought for a moment, and sighed...

Things had been moving along just fine until this afternoon, the morning had started well....it had all gone downhill from there.

The fact the fleet was still on alert and on standby, should have reassured him, but it didn't. Mainly because Vinda had seen and experienced his fair share of war, and, quite frankly, he'd had his fill...

That and the fact , that whoever was behind this obviously had great technological resources at their fingertips...

This thought flashed through him mind...

..a whole damned space station!...

An door alert brought him out of his thoughts, and he was soon joined by Achinta who stood there looking at him with a hint of curiousity held in his eyes...

Vinda, glowered at his bodyguard...

"...don't start..."

Achinta simply smiled in response as Vinda continued....

"...I know what you're going to say, but save it...I'm not in the mood..."

The HRD tilted his head slightly and spoke anyway...

"...you know what I have to say because you know, its a bad idea, we could have sent anyone, you did not have to come all the way out here yourself...it was not necessary..."

Vinda glared at the HRD, before finally replying...

"...she asked for me by name!, what was I supposed to do?...no, its better this way, no fleets, just face to face..."

He paused for a moment, then quickly added...

"besides, she seemed friendly enough..."

"aha" Exclaimed the bodyguard ominously...

"what?..."

"...As I suspected, you humanoids never cease to amaze me, despite all thats happened , all it takes is some flattery from an attractive female , and suddenly you lose all sense..."

Vinda was mortified, and more than a little indignant, and before he could answer straight away, his personal shuttle's Pilot, Jaxx, warned of their reversion back to realspace.
Vinda gripped his chair handle as the ship lurched forward slightly , and in an instant, the streams of light were replaced by stars.

Getting up out of his chair, Vinda , waved a finger towards his bodyguard...

"...thats rich coming from you...'people in glass houses should not throw stones'..."

Achinta threw the Corporate leader a puzzled expression, then looked around the interior...

"...this is not made of glass...

what is a glasshouse?..." He asked, visibly confused...

"...look it up!..." Shouted Vinda from down the corridor , for he had already exited his quarters, leaving Achinta standing in the room by himself...

Shaking his head slowly, the HRD followed after him...








With disturbing ease, the huge Station's strange docking mechanism manouvered Vinda's shuttle and its inhabitants into one of its many docking bays, its huge landing bay doors thundering loudly as they slowly shut behind it.

As the shuttle came to a standstill, Vinda watched as Achinta gave his approval to lower the gantry, after a negative intial scan for anything harmful or suspicious.

The HRD joined Vinda's side as the hatch opened, to reveal , Ayan, by herself, dressed in rich , purple silks, looking even more stunning than her holo-feed visage...

Vinda , followed by Achinta, walked down the gantry, slowly looking around in awe. The sheer scale of the place was mind boggling, and from the inside it looked incredibly ornate, with jewels and precious metals inlaid upon the walls and ceilings, enhancing swirling complicated motifs.

Another impression struck him, one he hadn't expected, it looked...well...old, almost antique...

Bringing his eyes to focus upon the waiting host in front of him, Vinda bowed his head in greeting, smiled congenially, and watched as Ayan did the same...

"...quite a place you have here, Miss Ayan..." He started, visibly impressed.

Ayan, inclined her head a little in thanks at the compliment, and took in the Corporation man’s overall appearance, which was next to immaculate.

“..welcome to the Astral Astoria Mr Vinda, we are honoured you accepted our invitation...”

Vinda’s eyebrows raised slightly in response, and the hostess watched as the distinct look of curiosity sweeped across his face...

“...we?...” He followed up quickly...

Ayan smiled and nodded, then gestured for Vinda and his entourage to follow her, and as they followed , Ayan led them to a large ornate door which sensed they were near and opened slowly.

All at once a cacophony of sounds flooded around Ayan and her visitors, reverberating inside the hanger , (which had been almost silent in comparison). The noise of people, traders , buyers , spacers, aliens of all creed and colour mixed together.

Before them lay the station’s vast marketplace, the Astoria Bazaar, stretching as far as the crowds would let them see, it was a hive of activity ,hundreds, no, thousands, perhaps more, all going about their business.

Located on the one-hundred and fiftieth floor, (the only floor big enough to accomodate it), the Bazaar was the heart of the Astral, a place where all the inhabitants, regardless of their status, met to do business and trade, the economy of the Station.

Ayan knew full well, that to someone like Vinda, this sight was irresistible. She turned to her visitors and smiled to herself, bemused, as they all stared at what they were being shown.

Vinda turned to face her with a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth...

“...it appears we have a great deal in common, Miss Ayan...”

“..I hoped that would be the case, Mr Vinda” The Caretaker Prime smiled back...

The entourage then found themselves being led through the Bazaar, a kind of guided tour. Ever so often, Vinda would stop at a stall, or a shop and fire a barrage of questions towards its owners, before moving off onto something else which interested him, all the while, Vinda’s entourage followed close behind, with Ayan leading the way, pointing out areas of interest, and explaining the many questions which naturally arose.

As the hours soon passed, they talked about business, trade , and of course, profit. This area in particular, Ayan found Vinda to be quite receptive.

And as the guided tour continued into the evening, over a grand banquet , so did the negotiations , the sutble beginnings of a business proposition, one of mutual benefit to all parties involved, the talks continued into the early hours of the morning.

The result of which culminated in the form of a business partnership, one which would stay viable as long as the space station continued to operate within Vinda-Corporation / Commonwealth space. Vinda-Corp would receive a percentage of all profits made by the Space Station as long as the agreement would hold. Vinda-Corp would also be allowed to open an embassy and even to open rival companies onboard the station itself. In return, The Astoria would recieve Vinda-Corp backing, and advertising, protection, and of course, access to the denizens of the Corporate Sector, and beyond.

For the moment at least, the Astral Astoria was here to stay.