Nightfall... A time when the criminals, and crooks of the Carpathian Empire emerged from the criminal havens from which they dwelled, like insects in the night, thry scurry across the cobblestone streets of the city, looking for there next victim. Beneath those very same streets stood another villian, looking in the shadows of the damp caverns, and catacombs.

"It's done, your exellency..." the soft, trembling voice of a man no more than twenty, relativly young by Carpathian standards whispered, a smooth cream colored document rocking in his trembling hands as he extended them toward the figure of the Emperor.

"Good...." the deep, hard voice of the Emperor emerged from the darkness as two Carpathian Imperial Guards stepped behind the young, trembling figure, emerging stealthily from the darkness of the caverns.

A curious, and paniced look overcame the figure as his hands once again fell into uncontrollable tremble... a desperate look filled his horrified eyes as the Emperor emerged from the shadows, his stern and strong face glairing down at him.

"But... But your Majesty! I did all that you asked!"

The Emperor nodded, a decietful grin on his face. "Yes, Thomas..... And you shall be rewarded."

The trembling man's facial features immediatly shifted to a relaxed, and thankful. The Emperor merely looked at the Guardsmen behind him, nodding.

With the click-snap of there pikes, the man was dead.

"In the next life..." the Emperor chuckled, his robes fluttering over a pool of thick red blood.


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"By decree of the Carpathian Planetary Alliance, I call this meeting to order. Two days ago, a messenger boy by the name of Thomas Latree was murdered. Murdered in cold blood for his opinions. Murdered for his desire to explore beyond the reach of Carpathia." Thydin started. He then held up the cream colored document that the boy had been carrying, no indication that he had ever touched it.

"Over thirteen years now, we, the Countries of Carpathia have squabled over this nonsence. Squabled to remain the helpless, and technologically ill-equipped Civilization that we are. Many of you believe that life beyond Carpathia is non-existant. In fact, a gread deal of our populace believes that we are the soul life in the Galaxy."

"The Empire of Carpathia has long since wished to answer that question. Explore the heavens.... the Unknown reaches of Space. Yes, space probes may have indicated that Spaec is a hazardous place, and it may be true that all previous space missions have failed, but we will not give up."

"The Carpathian Space Doctrin calls upon the Nations of this planet to come together, forming a more perfect scientific union. I ask you all to pass this act of friendship, and hospitality not only to better ourselves, and to explore the vast reaches of space. I ask you to pass this act for the sake of the youth of this planet."

"This project would not only lead us into a new Scientific Revolutuion. It will open the doors of thousands of years of opportunity. So we may not find life beyond Carpathia, but we will be able to hold outheads high, knowing that we have not only congured peace, and prosperity. We have conqured the heavens!"

The Emperor extended his hands toward the beautifully decorated cieling of the Senate Halls, as if extending himself toward the heavens before turning to look out over the ninteen Senators, Representatives, and occasionally, the Leaders of the Countries of Carpathia, awaiting the first responses. The excitement was almost overwhelming, yet he kept a firm clutch on the document in his hands.

The High Priest and Supreme Ruler of Astralis stood, silently, awaiting recognition. He moved to the podium and cleared his throat. His cold, dark eyes scanned over the other 18 delegates before he began to speak.

"This is not only a scientific matter but a religious one. There is great danger beyond our space and entering into it will bring the galaxy down upon us. I implore you as a people to vote down this proposition as you have in the past. The Priests of Astralis will not support it, nor should any of you."

He kept it short and to the point, then.. moved back to his seat, finished.. for now.

The distinct figure of the well dressed Alexia Sarnia, a wel respected Queen, and extreme loyalist to the Carpathian Empire, as generations before her had been, stepped up to the speaking podium, a faint look of discontent on her face.

"Today is truely a day of outreach for us all. Thrice the Carpathian Empire has delivered us from Evil, with the help of the Lucitanian Commonwealth. Thrice have they made our world a better place. But this is something that the Lucitanian Commonwealth will have to discuss in out district senate. The nations of the Commonwealth are entitled to there divine opinions, and I, as there High Queen will listen to them. If it is the wish of my people, Lucitania will vote in favor of this motion."

King Deamok's personal secretary General, Fridrin Zenk stood up to the podium, interrupting the Queen.

"I must protest, this entire programme is farcical and will only end in disaster for our own people. There are some places that our God's never inteded us to venture.That's why all attempts at gaining access to the heavens have failed.

The greater powers are guiding us away from the dangers that lie out ahead of us so that we may prosper here and now.

Maybe if the Carpathian Emperor could pull his gaze from the stars he could place it on solving his own people's woes.I think he is blinding himself so as not to look at the problems that plague his land.

Honourary representatives, unsheath your eyes, I implore you, no, I beg you to deny this bill passage, doing so will ensure your peoples prosperity for years to come."