First Contact

[Oiniane]

In a universe where life itself is abundant, yet intelligent life is extremely rare, there's only one planet that has any sort of advanced civilization. If this is due to the young age of the universe, or due to the hostile nature of the galaxy, is unknown to it's inhabitants. Indeed to inhabitants of this planet, a word alien has never been used outside of fiction, as this pre-atomic era world lacks the technology to send anything into space not even smallest of satellites.

Upon closer study, a great deal more can be uncovered, however it completely depends on the manner that the observer wishes to learn, and what technology is used. The inhabitants are mostly oblivious of the matters outside of their planet.

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Visual Study



Slightly more than half of the planet is covered by water, the landmasses shaping two major continents and one pseudo-continent. Planet covers every basic type of climate biomes, the axel tilt causing winter and summer seasons on northern and southern hemispheres. There are no polar ice caps.

Electricy is widespread and in use on every continent. According to lights: every town, city and village is part of electric grid. There's plenty of large cities spotting the globe, multiple roads and railroads sneaking between them. There are occasional lights of planes passing by, both in formations of multiple, and invidual ones flying form city to another. Rough estimate for population on the whole globe would be over two billion. With large enough magnifications, large battleships can be seen sailing on water, some being as massive as common spaceships (500 meters / 550 yards). There's also a continent splitting wall between two nations, both sides having multiple gun emplacements, pillboxes and fortresses along it, making a grim scar into the other vice mostly lushy planet.

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Radiowaves

There are multiple languages on every continent, atleast five major ones in total, but every single one seems to have words from another languages in them, like they would all be slowly molding into one, the progress being incomplete. This can make traslation attempts harder, or easier, depending on the technological level of the translator. Every continent has multiple channels for all of these five languages. The actual content of these radiowaves depends completely on which area they are originating from.

On the southern continent, at western end of it, there's only strong state and socialist propaganda on the air, along with multiple military channels with weak encryptions. Most of the content on these radioshows are focussed on positive feedback, highlighting the workforce and not the actual leaders of the nation. There's suprisingly little animosity against their own people and other nations, excluding their main rival. Nation's name is swiftly found: Tomup. The leadership seems to be consisting of multiple inviduals: The Council of Equals. Military channels are mostly dotted with short relayed patrols, reports or tests, leaving the channels with mostly dead air.

On the eastern part of the same continent, there's mostly state owned news channels, which play music on downtimes, with badly made state funded entertainment programs. Over all, the radio seems to lack propaganda aspects, but it's service is lacking in quality. Nation is called Tossa, and it seemingly has a monarchist leader know as The Empress (without an actual name). On the military side, the whole area is a mess, radar stations are tracking the border and coastal regions, the military channels are having decrypted messages constantly, the large navies updating their status and location regularly. Even smallest artillery crews by the border are reporting every six hours and informing next movement location if there's one, leaving any advanced civilization with code cracking abilities and decryption skills, with almost complete map of their military personel.

On the northern continent, the north, middle and eastern part of it, there's yet another nation. The radiowaves are full of commercials, with occasional extremely catchy songs here and there to draw in the interest of the people. There seems to be no rules at all for any of the stations, some doing nothing more than commercials from morning to evening, some telling stories of fiction and some blatantly giving out conspiracy theories as truth. Some of the commercials for corporations are dissimilar from propaganda. There's practically a radio station for anything, even for old lady telling how weather has been for past 60 years, day by day. The military channels are barely decrypted, and the channels are full of chatter, bigger fish stories and eager talks about the next firing range trainings. It can be really difficult to find the name of the nation, but after a lot of effort it can be found, it being Tarofir.

At western and south side of the same continent, there's few radio stations, all of them broadcasting religious agenda from different aspects. Some are reading religious texts, spoken by one of the religious heads, some are broadcasting children stories with applied religious values, and some simply preach of the virtues of their citizens. It wouldn't take long to pick up the name of the nation, that being Tanven, lead by High-Cardinal. Military channels are, non-existant.

Lastly on the pseudo continent on the northern hemisphere, there's one last nation. The airwaves are mostly clean, there's few goverment funded stations sharing news in neutral manner, science focussed talkshows and educatory channels. Along with these there's few independent radiostations, mostly broadcasting entertainment services, with poor quality. Nation's name is picked up as Tience, the leader being Director. Military channels are well encrypted (for their tech level), and mostly consist of coastal guard reports, with their weak navy trying to turn the southern factions navy ships around by diplomatical means before they enter their waters. The whole island is dotted by radar sites, some even airborne.


((Sadly image quality is extremely poor.))

There doesn't seem to be any way to find a common word the planet, the planet is called: earth, ground, country(side), soil and any equilement that simply means the very dirt beneath their feet, and not exactly a planet amongst others.

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Biological Scanners (able to bypass structures)

There's 3 billion inhabitants on the planet, the number being oddly high for it's era, which might be explainable by advances in medicinal field. Nations categorized as Tossa and Tomup have roughly a billion inhabitants, and Tarofir 500 million. Tanven has 300 million and lastly Tience has 100 million. There's plenty of different sort of domesticated and wild animals on the planet, counting to plethora of species for fauna and flora both. Most people seems to live in large cities, the rural areas being sparcely populated. There seems to be life on the two other planets in the system...

((Still new at this so if there's any advice or mistakes feel free to highlight them!))
((This is just a background detailment, so the higher tech civilization can choose it's approach, as none of the people living on the planet would notice the ship in time, making sneaking in automatic success.))

[Xah]

Gate 8923
Location 523,76,201
Nexus

+ Re-establishing link with reality
++ Contact made
+++ Gate location secure
++++ Enlarging aperture

Far above the surface of the unsuspecting world, a hole opened between this reality and another. It wasn't the first hole, but it was the biggest, and the one that would remain. When the Owners opened the first gate, a microscopic affair that existed for less time that most species were aware of, it was nowhere near this verdant world. The second gate, opened for barely long enough for several small drones to pass through, was closer, in astronomical terms, only a few lightyears away, and close enough for the Nexus to determine that the radio signals coming from the nearby system were artificial in nature and worth a close look.

It was always a cause for celebration when the Owners found another intelligent species; it was their self-appointed raison d'être after all. Another species found, another universe protected from the scourge of hegemonizing swarms, and another layer to add to the complex and rich tapestry of the Nexus. This world would soon find itself a valued Client of the most expansive collection of civilisations in the multiverse and able to share in the bounty of tens of thousands of other universes.

The Gate hung there, almost a kilometre wide, a perfect circle in the blackness of space, and a large craft passed through. Looking more like a Neolithic temple than one of the most advanced vessels ever created, it moved quickly away from the Gate before taking up a position in geostationary orbit around the world below. For a few hours it just waited, its sensors and receptors updating its language banks and cultural databases. The potential Client was not particularly advanced, and although had enough technology to receive radio transmissions, direct contact was considered the best, and safest option.

<no unilateral governing body detected - proceed with contact with identified main factions>

Six smaller craft detached from the larger vessel and began their entry into the atmosphere, each one heading for the main population centres of each of the identified factions. Their passage through the atmosphere was silent and smooth, their passing no more disruptive than if they hadn't been there at all. Simultaneously, the large craft still in orbit broadcast a message across most of the commonly used radio channels to all available receivers.

"Greetings to the people of this world from the Owners of the Nexus. We come to you with peaceful intentions and wish to offer you participation in the Nexus, a multi-versal community of many races, species and civilisations. Our envoys are currently arriving in your main cities request a meeting with those who you wish to represent you. Your chosen representatives are then cordially invited to visit the Nexus and see what is on offer. This offer is not time limited, and we will remain here until directed otherwise.

Once again, welcome to the Nexus."

As always, the Owners knew this would cause no small amount of disturbance. The small craft stopped above each of the six chosen cities, within easy sight of their occupants, and waited for the replies.

[Oiniane]

The planet beneath Owners eyes would remain clueless, only after the six smaller craft would lower down to hight of kilometre or two, would there be vary report of unknown aircraft. However as Owners message is delivered over the radio channels, blocking any normal radio traffic, the whole planet flares up like a ant-hive that has been hit with a stone. The radio channels are giving out mixed signals all around the globe, and every faction/nation is reacting in their own manner. There is no word from the leaders of the planet to the visitors, wether it is due to the shock of the situation, or due to need to calm down any militaristic aspect. No matter what, every single ship once sopping over the six cities are contacted, in way or another.

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Above the city of Centrum, the largest city on the planet, Monarchist Tossan capitol, multiple metal-framed monoplanes would start to circle the ship. Every single one of these aircraft seems to be piston powered, with combustion engines of suprisingly advanced designs. These brave men would be trying to hail the invader, through the radio (in hopes of them listening), demanding the vehicle to be removed from the city's airspace. The same treatment given to one of the other six ships if it was heading to largest population centers, which both should be on Tossan ground. Any navy fleet would be instructed to turn their cannons towards the aliens, to add negotiative weight, as they would be the most armored and powerful beings on the planet, excluding the alien. None are shooting, all are simply waiting for responce.

Over the holy city of Belarnia, at Tanven's theocracy, the overly pious citizens is greeting the ship, with nothing more than arms. Hunting rifles, shotguns, even light machnigun are desperately shot upwards, towards the alien ship, without slightest care of the bullets dropping/missing and hurting others. Half of the priests are screaming to banish the flying devils, while other half is trying to preach for compassion, while the leadership of the nation is completely paralyzed. Friendly fire incidents from bullets not reaching the target (or possibly even ricocheting off of it) keeps increasing slowly, but surely as long at the ship remains over the city.

As one another ship soars closer to capitol of the United Socialist States of Tomup, they could see multiple squadrons of aircraft, piston engines, but rough looking frames. Every second squadron seems to instantly turn around and fly to opposite direction from the weird alien ship. Every other however, seem to follow it, the radio being full of dares, from pilots to others, to fly as close to the weird shaped lump as possible. If there's, any kind of kinetic shielding or anything else that might prevent solid objects from flying too close to the alien vessel, then the "game" would end up short, with remainer of the squadron fleeing hastily, more fearful of their superiors finding out what they did, than the vengeance of the other worlder. Once upon the city, there would be suprising radio silence beneath, until someone sends a short radio chatter through a public channel. "Oi! Visitor! It's me, Dimitri. Mind to park on the farm fields by the town? You are blocking sunlight."

As next ship sets itself over the capitol of the second continent, as well as capitol of Tarofir, there would be multiple radio messages around the public, for people to not shoot at the visitors, and to remain calm. As well as sadly some about complete denial of aliens and calling this a goverment hoax. The first broadcast towards the ship is done by assembling lights into a shape of text, with a megafone and via radio: "You owe us for parking a flying ship over Megalinia. Your fine is due instantly." Othervice, rest of the public seems to be paralyzed or despressedly non-caring.

Last city is way smaller than the other ones, the constructions seemingly well kept and, with architectural freedoms. The city is, according to radio, assembling a committee to deal with the situation, but the moment the alien ship parks over their city, there would be radio broadcast around the whole city in all wavelenghts, in hopes of making the visitors hear it. "Tience will agree to unconditional surrender and accepts any demands, in return for the alien ship in it's airspace." Radio broadcasts dies off immediately after as they are waiting for replies. Accodring to brief military traffic, the lack of visibility in radar seems to be main consern for distress for their armed forces.

Due to the haphazard first reactions, it's more than likely that the actual goverments might need a while to submit a proper answer. More than likely a day or two. The rest of the planet seems to be following news as closesly as they can or, praying, or othervice dealing with the shocking relevation. As after all... they are not alone anymore.

[Xah]

The reactions observed all fell within what the Owners classed as 'typical responses' given the technology level of the potential Client. Some were perhaps more enthusiastic than usual, but the long delay in getting any official replies wasn't unexpected. They may manage an artificial universe and with access to almost unlimited power and technology, but even the Owners recognised that bureaucracy worked at its own pace.

The primitive shots fired by hand weapons were not a cause for concern, although the Advocate had no small measure of sympathy for the unintended victims of said shots falling back to the ground, and the piston-fired aircraft that circled the shuttle were examined in detail; their construction and mechanisms of minor fascination to a number of Owners back at Hub who held a interest in that kind of thing.

Whoever Dimitri was, the Advocate did not know, but took a decision that they did not speak for the authorities of the city below and so didn't move to the fields requested. The planet would move, the sun's position in the sky would shift, and the problem would resolve itself. The fine due would be paid, if whoever the Client resolved to be insisted on it, but the Advocate wasn't even sure what to use as currency, or how much it owed. It filed the complain away for later consideration once Client status was formally established.

The offer of surrender was a little confusing to the Advocate. Submission to the Nexus wasn't uncommon, especially with lower tech rated civilisations, but not usually in exchange for an actual Owner vessel. It briefly considered ignoring the message, but it seemed to come from an official source, and so, according to protocol, warranted a reply.

"Advocate of the Nexus to the authorities of the state of Tience. Your surrender is not required, this vessel is not for exchange. Please choose a representative for your culture to meet with the designated Advocate for negotiations regarding status as a Client of the Nexus."

[Oiniane]

Over the state of Tience, goverment doesn't seem to take long with reply, only after half a minute or so, the radiowaves are sent along multiple spectrums carrying the same message on all. "Request to meet Director granted. Western airfield chosen as location. Meeting in 20 minutes. 20 minutes equals 5 degree turn of the planet. Airfield coordinates..." After enlisting of coordinates, there's some travel in the town, the radiowaves mostly asking for people to remain calm and return to their duties. It's soon evident that latter ain't happening, as many, many flashes of light coming from cameras seems to dictate. It's suprisingly easy to follow the official column, due to the ammount of blue lights surrounding the black cars. The vehicles themselves, not being impressive in the slightest, except maybe due to vintage look of them.

Over the other cities, the reactions are slowly changing. While Tience's leader is heading towards the aliens, over Tanven and it's holy city Belarnia, people have gathered outside their buildings, wearing large written signs and chanting, yelling up to the alien ship as they were expelling the devil from amid them. The gunfire has halted, however the fear of different, and hatred for it, clearly has not. Over United Socialist States of Tomup there's still no word of anything, the goverment channels are shut down or telling about the sudden emergency meeting between the council of equals. The fighters have given up their escort, or interception duties and simply let the ship float, as indeed, it look harmless enough to outright ignore.

Megalinia drowns in multiple radio channels flaring up once more, most of them having different sort of sudden talk-shows or radio hosts voicing their opinions about the current situation, making any attempt of find the official channels excruciatingly difficult. Only form of authority on the airwaves seems to be the one that told about the fine. "Fine of 200 blood dollars, and every minute in non-blimp parking area rises the cost by additional 20. Please move your aircraft." The Tarofir's, goverment is extremely unhelpful in this case.

Most alarming case, might still be Centrum. The fighters are still flying around the ship insultingly parked in the air above their capitol. The planes routinely ordering the "aircraft" to remove itself from Tossan airspace. The radiobroadcasts are repoting an alien ship residing over the capitol, but also that there's no word from the goverment. Indeed, Monarch is silent, and if military conversations are followed through the radio, it would swiftly become clear why. It's a precaution, incase if capitol is besieged, and an alien ship appearing over the town all sudden, seems to be rubbing the nation in all the wrong manners. By the time Tience's leader has started their journey, the largest ship infront of centrum would start to morsecode it's message, sending it on as many frequencies as available. "TES Gloriana. STOP Fleet Admiral Hayabusa demanding alien aircraft to move. STOP. If refusing, ships will open fire on the souverinity insulting plane." The armies on ground seems to be slowly hauling heavy AA-batteries closer to said town, yet their movement is slow accordimg to radio reports.

If there's no answer to the fleet admiral, then by the time the Director of Tience would halt their vehicle at the cleared airport, there would be a warning shot from one the humongous battleships by Centrum, the shell flying atleast kilometre over the alien vehicle, so it would land safely out of bounds of the city, crashing down into the forest at the further side.

[Xah]

The vessel above Tience all but vanished at it moved quickly to the designated landing site, descending to the ground at the appointed time. A long ramp extended from one side and the opaque dome that formed the upper half of the ship turned transparent and a human-sized hole opened at the top of the ramp. Inside was an androgynous, feature-less figure, looking human but for the lack of clothing and the matt-silver colour to its body. It waited until the delegation coming to meet it was close to the vessel, then began to walk down the ramp to meet them. If it was perturbed by the warning shot, it did not show it.

Above Centrum the vessel opens up communications with the aircraft. "Request to leave airspace received. Requesting provision of an alternative location."

The other four vessels remained motionless and silent, awaiting an 'official' response from the authorities in their areas.

[Oiniane]

It is cool day in Tience, around 10 degree celsius. Police escort would have stayed at the entrance of the airport, or driven to the main building itself, to ensure that no unauthorized personel would wander into the area, the two black cars driving along the tarmac between the runways. One of the runways would be completely empthy, the lights on at sides of it, just incase if the alien vessel would need space to land. Even if it's clearly capable of hovering. The Director would step out the car, the moment it would halt, her clothing being formal, a black tunic with long sleeves, along with pencil skirt, as well as woolen pantyhoses to fend off the cool air. She's brunette in her 30s, with short black hair, and quite average in terms of looks and height. After her there would be five other people, three men and two additional women. The director would swiftly and briefly question her retinue. "Any word from others?" The person with a backpack of a radio and speaker-cup over his ear would respond. 'What I heard from coast guard, Tanven is up in arms, thinking they are devils. Tomup is playing dead, letting others focus on them, and Tossa is giving red codes. Not sure if they angered the aliens or other way around. Either way we are completely alone.' Director sighs. "Naturally, but atleast it gives us slight edge. Be on your best behaviour." 'Of course my lady.'

One of the tuxedo clothed men would run onwards the moment alien's ship would land and set himself precisly as far form both parties as possible, standing at the side so he isn't blocking the sight of either party. He'd lift a long decorated staff, made of some bizarre combination of metal alloys, and once both parties would have halted yell out while standing in perfect posture. "Director the leader of Tience, Kasumi Redhill. Also on location are: Historian, Advisor, Radio-Operator and additional diplomat to ensure that the meeting goes smoothly. The visitor being: a diplomat of Nexus. You may give approriate greeting of your cultures!" He'd knock the end of the staff against the tarmac, the alloy seemingly only having one purpose, to echo as much as possible when hit with. Tience's delegation would bow, before looking quite visibly confused by the arrival's appearance, the featurless human shape causing some visible uncomfort. "Welcome to Tience, visitor."

Meanwhile over Centrum, after the warning shot had been fired, and finally a request is granted, there's two messages, one in morse code and another in radiowaves, however they differ in content for once. Both are originating from the largest ship by the docks. Morse code is as follows: "Alternative location is anywhere 20 KM from coast. STOP If needed atol may be used at cordinates..." They'd be relaying a loaction of a small atol roughly 20km away from the mainland, a barren and without life and barely large enough to house a modern jumbojet. The radio message however seems to be a slip. "Are they trying to be clever? Just point out nearby atol or something, and get Turion and Lenorah back here. If they plan to do anything unwanted they'll pay for it and if they want to talk, then they'll learn to repect the law of those who they want to talk with!" The radio cuts swiftly, and is not re-sent. Instead there's obscure morsecode. "Turion and Lenorah code yellow. STOP Code yellow."

USS of Tomup seems to keep quiet on govermental sector, more gathering infromation from their fleets, about Tience being more aggressively defending it waters and Tossa abandoning it's own. Tarofir according to commercials on other hand, has started to sell merchandice based on the howevering alien ship, plastic toys, t-shirts and caps. Only actual govermental update would come from Tanven, from it's High Cardinal over a nation wide broadcast: "Brothers and sisters of faith...my children. There has been a massive test to our believes today as an alien... nay demonic construct has appeared to float over our holiest city. Yet you don't need to be afraid. The rightous and pious will always triumph over the ill infromed and ignorant. Leave the creature be, ignore it like you'd do to devil's whispers and allures. Forget it even exists and sooner than we know, it would be gone. Stay strong in your faith my children, pray and stay united, like the One always desired." Oddly enough, the chant would stop, slowly beneath the ship and instead and eerie silence is left behind as most of the people takes the encouragement literally and start to pray, on the spot, instead back at their homes.

[Xah]

The Advocate watched the man with the staff and nodded at the greeting. "I am here as a representative of the Nexus, a multiversal community of many races, species and civilisations. We extend an invitation to this world and its inhabitants to become Clients of the Nexus and partake in the benefits and opportunities such a status offers. You may address me as 'Advocate' as I will be representing your interests to the Nexus, as well as offering guidance and advice regarding the Law of the Nexus and Client status." It paused and gestured at the shuttle behind it. "I offer a personal invite to visit the Nexus prior to any decision you may make, if you wish, and will also any questions you may have."

Above Centrum, the Owner vessel there does not immediately respond to the offered location, instead there is a pause of a few second as the Owners had a debate regarding the nature of the second message. Eventually, a decision is made and the vessel accelerates off in the blink of an eye, stopping above the assigned atoll and continuing to wait.

The religious fervour seen in Tarofir was not an unusual response either and the Owners took the opportunity to add to its cultural database, although it would have to dissuade the locals of any demonic or divine nature soon. It was against Owner Protocol to be mistaken for a deity.

[Oiniane]

((Sorry for being confusing, but the religious fervour was from Tanven. I'll try to be more clear! ><))

There's a slight breeze over the airfield, the director listening to the Advocate's words letting him finish before making a swift glance at her advisors. One of them would be sitting on a collabsible chair, her hands on a typewriter that is currently in her lap. The driver from the black car would be slowly hauling a foldable table to her, as the meeting seems to be documented. Director would pay no heed to the efforts of the two, her focus returning back upon this android... alien... being. "As admirable as that sounds, I must ask: What is there to gain for you? An area that is divided for many, is after all less for original owner. As much as we'd love to accept it to be nothing more than deed done in good heart or speaking out of naivety, I do have a feeling that there's more to be gained. As clearly you are offering us more than you might gain from a free pass to travel to a hub, that lets universes meet." She'd shake her head to the request, her arms folding. "I must... decline the invite. The information (shock) or technological shock are not something I'd wish to have an impact on these negotiations. Not to mention possible issues with breathing and other unknown factors of this... other dimension. If possible, we'd want to enter it on our own pace, if it's agreed upon."

By the sea infront of Centrum, two other battleships would slowly make their way between the atol where the Owner vessel resided and the Centrum itself, joining the largest one, as the ships would stay infront of their capitol in protective manner. Fleet Admiral's ship has been busy sending two words over radio waves "Code green", when the two other battleships sailed to its side. Swiftly the navy would repeat the same code and eventually army repeating the same, as every officer would be sending it to their subordinates, the whole nation showing it's chain of command without even realizing it. It would take seven minutes, before the Admiral's ship would send anything again, through morsecode once more as it seemed to be picked up faster. "Request to meet foreign minister granted, if still a necessity. STOP. Navy waiting response from unknown aircraft."

Tanven's citizens would start to disperse beneath the Owner's vessel, the religious people taking heed of their leader and, outright ignoring the alien.

[Xah]

The Advocate nodded. "Your concerns are not unique," it said. "The Nexus does not lack for space, and whilst it would be easier to show than describe, you may think of it as a long corridor, about 100 kilometres <insert local measurements> in diameter, but which appears to have an infinite length. As well as the space within the Nexus, there are many universes with no contacted sentience. Such universes are open for colonisation and exploitation by any Client that possesses the means and needs to do so.

"As for what we get out of it," the Advocate spreads its arms. "We long ago decided that life deserved to be protected from that which may seek, either through accident or design, to eliminate it. By opening gates to new universes, and spreading knowledge and cooperation, it becomes less likely that anyone joining with us will suffer the fate of universes that do not have this resources. Life is relatively uncommon in the multiverse, intelligent life even more so. It is a thing worth preserving. It would be morally repugnant of us, a species that wants and needs for nothing, and with access to such resources as the Nexus, to sit back and allow extinctions to occur.

"You need not be too concerned with environmental issues with the Nexus. I am more than capable of keeping you safe, although I understand your concerns regarding culture shock. The invitation is open-ended, and has been extended to all major factions upon this world, although you will need to decide amongst yourself what form of representation to the Nexus you wish to make and how your Client status will be formed."

---

In Centrum, a similar situation was occurring; the craft lowered itself to the ground, before a hole opened up in its opaque dome and a figure stepped out onto an extended ramp, waiting for some form of official contact.