Fiction:Second Great Cyrannus War/Andromeda

The Elysion Summit
The air was tense in the hallowed halls of the Andromedan Light. Mere days ago, had been destroyed in the blink of an eye by the regime these halls called the Orbispiran Empire. The Light had been convened on this day to answer one question that burned on the minds of every member of the august body: How to respond.

Sitting in the thrones of the Highlords, Andromeda's great figurehead presided over the summit: To the far left, emperor of the, to his left, the recently coronated Maxios -Ultanos I, paragon of the. Beside him, in the near-right throne was her holiness Menoriam, the highest spiritual authority of. Finally, far to the right was, incumbent president of the and spokesman for  interests in Andromeda. None of them, however, were that elated of the news, and the tension in the air could be felt even by those members said not to posses the gift of elevated sight.

Breaking the silence, Iovera stood up. She was shaking, unknown to most, she felt the loss of Mou'Cyran strongest out of most of the summit's attendees. Stories had circulated that the day it was destroyed she had broken out of a meditative entrance with a deafening shriek of horror, dignitaries to the Holy capital of Crepusculum at the time had claimed to heard a wail akin to the mythological banshees. Here she stood, trembling but nonetheless functional.


 * Iovera - Members of this august of bodies. As we have all heard, the New Cyrannian Republic's jewel world, Mou'Cyran, has been...destroyed. Among the dead are much of its senate, and dozens of dignitaries from across the gigaquadrant. All snugged with a moment's barbarity by the Empire of Orbispira.
 * Maxios - Such a destructive weapon, used with such impunity.
 * Kitravasuron - Such a calamity should be without consequence.

Hearing that such an event could have happened at all caused uproar among the attending lords and dignitaries. This was not an uproar of fear, but of anger. "Rogue state!" some called out "renagades!" called others.


 * Kitravasuron - By attacking Mou'Cyran unprovoked these Cyrannians have broken Avalôtur Covenant with blood. The republic will not stand for this abusive behaviour on the part of their emperor.
 * Maxios - You propose a campaign, your excellency.
 * Kitravasuron - What remains of the Republic will be retaliating in kind. The Kicathian Republic desires to answer this provocation with a similar blood.
 * Alexandre - And wha will the Ecumene gain from this venture.

Alexandre stood up, announcing to the assembly in a professional demeanor.


 * Alexandre - That galaxy is a fortress. Our most direct access routes are either jumping into the heart of their empire or breaking any fortifications in the Quadrants. This is not a war we can easily contribute. We will be pushing though an empire that has an enormous home-field advantage while any offensive campaign from us will be on alien fronts. What the president is suggesting, I feel, is going to cost us more than it will cost them.
 * Kitravasuron - Your judgement of the situation is noted, your excellency. Regardless, the emperor broke a solemn pact, we trusted them to uphold their side of the--.
 * Alexandre - I understand, and I will put notions of the warning signs behind us. But the Ecumene is in no strategic position to commit a full-scale invasion of this alien empire. Even if we did have the full support of the New Republic.''
 * Maxios - The emperor is right, the Ecumene has little strategic stake in Solinami Fretma|Dracid term for Cyrannus. We would be sending our forces as little more than a gesture of faith.
 * Iovera - That might be all to ask for.

"No!" a chirping voice cried out from the stands. Standing up was an elderly Tertamian, a a representative of one of several regions of the New Tertamian Alliance represented in the Seat Of Light. Weathered features and a perpetual frown adorned the centaurid avian's head.


 * Tertamian - The Alliance committed itself to the accords, they in return did nothing as the Delpha Coalition marched upon our worlds. Under their occupation it was the Ecumene that saw Il'larion restored.
 * Alexandre - The Cyrannian Republic had ample opportunity to call allies for advice when relations began turning sour. This war might not have been avoided, given their emperor's record, but by the time mediation was started by the Talven, the situation was perhaps beyond recovery.
 * Maxios - We have little stake in the Cyrandia cluster. Offering our swords may earn a saviour's gratitude will not change much for the price we would pay.
 * Iovera - Then what should be done?

There were a few minutes of silence, contemplating a potential alternative. It was now time, it appeared, for the famed wisdom of Andromedans to shine. And in Maxios, shine it did.


 * Maxios - That is not to say we cannot help. The Ecumene is graced with the great stellar forges of Deep Core, the wealth of the Imperial Crown Worlds, the free trade haven of Praestol, unrivaled influence in the Quadrantian Neutrality Zone, and access to a trade community spanning almost every tendril of known space. Industry is our greatest weapon against the Empire.
 * Iovera - Both sides will be sinking great resources into this war...We might not be able to supply the New Republic with navies but yes, we could still supply it with extra starships, cannons and rations. That may give them the edge to pull themselves back from the brink.
 * Alexandre - For a price. This approach may not be as costly as a full invasion, but if the Ecumene is to remain stable it cannot resort to handing trillions of Exchange Units' worth of supplies for a "thank you."
 * Maxios - As a post-scarcity nation, I am sure the New Republic will overlook the implications of what we request.

The senate were in agreement - an invasion of the Cyrannus Galaxy was suicide. But the alternative the Highlords proposed was an adequate one. After a brief recess, The vote was in majority favour against the Ecumene as a whole mounting an invasion, something the Orbipsiran Empire would surely retaliate brutally against, but many were in support of offering economic support. Kitravasuron, however had more to say.


 * Kitravasuron - All this talk of economic pacts does nothing to change that the Covenant was broken, and that the Kicathian Republic will not allow that to go unpunished.
 * Alexandre - The covenant is not an issue within the Ecumene. But, you bring up a valid point: The Ecumene is not the Empire or the Coalition; what we have decided need only apply to the Ecumene as a single entity.
 * Iovera - Perhaps we allow for our distinct parts to decide on their own whether they would join the Capricornians in their campaigns.
 * Alexandre - And not under the Ecumene's banner. France has engaged in conflicts without calling for the Ecumene to help before without repercussion. It stands in fairness that other components may do it as well.
 * Maxios - Those in favour of marching to support the New Republic may do so. But the logistical challenges will still apply.
 * Kitravasuron - I find this a fair decision.
 * Iovera - Those who walk this path, the Ecumene cannot back them, but others among us might.
 * Maxios - It is settled.-- - Maxios announced looking over the assembly -The decision to join in the defense of the New Republic shall be the verdict of single nations. The Guardians of Light and the Unified Andromedan Navy will not intervene unless Imperial retaliation threatens the Ecumene itself. Should the Orbispiran Empire challenge the Ecumene as a whole, we shall reconvene.''

There was a murmour of agreement. Not all were agreed, but enough were that a verdict was passed. The assembly continued for several hours as more domestic issues were discussed.

After the day's politics ended, Maxios headed for one of the meetingrooms that looked out over the megaconstruct of Elysion. Maxios slumped in one of the loungers and looked up to see a mural of Uriel on the far wall. Something heavy weighed on Maxios' shoulders, and looking to this now-departed figure he frowned with frustration.


 * Maxios - You could have tied up some threads before leaving for Lifefather-knows-where...