Alkonester Confederation

Zendikarofthewest

Alkonester Confederation

History
One hundred years ago, a brutal civil war broke out among the inhabitants of what is now known as Heartworld. This war lasted seventy years spanning the four star systems of the Yvadres nebula. Eventually, in the heat of battle, heartworld was broken by a planet-cracker, split in two like the hearts of their inhabitants, for the one thing that they agreed on, was that it was holy. Realizing the folly of their actions, they made peace, and formed the Alkonester Confederation, aiming to bring peace to the nebula, and to protect the remnants of heartworld for as long as they could draw breath. Becoming aware of the factions beyond the nebula, they built a great navy, and waited until the time was right to reveal themselves.

Species
Alkonesterians are quite similar to humans, but generally run about a foot shorter, with their average height being about 5’0”. Their skin has no obvious differences, however it is much more resilient, and can withstand much more punishment than human skin.

Culture
Since the dawn of their civilization the alkonesterians have viewed Heartworld as a holy symbol, to be protected above all. The breaking of heartworld during the civil war caused the Alkonesterians to form back into a single nation, with one goal: Prevent it from happening again, and protect the remnants of Heartworld. As such, Heartworld is highly guarded, and access is permitted only to Alkonesterians during the Longing, a once in a lifetime journey that all Alkonesterians make to mourn the breaking of Heartworld. Outside, it is hardly mentioned, but all ships carry the broken world somewhere on their hulls. Alkonesterians are somewhat tolerant of aliens, but Heartworld is never shown to outsiders, and any that wander upon it will be killed.

Government
The Alkonester Confederation is a democracy, with the High Council, the ruling body, consisting of sixteen members, four elected representatives four each planet. On the lower level, much of the bureaucracy is elected as well, including the judges of the supreme court. Voting age is determined by when they journey to Heartworld for the Longing, but outsiders can vote after seven (7) years as a legal resident.

Economy
One of the main starship producers of its sector of space, the Confederation relies much on its shipyard to bring income into its residents. Even so, it has managed to provide several other goods for export, such as mining and terraforming equipment.

Technology
The Alkonester Confederation's technology is relatively advanced, much of it having come from a time where advancement in technology meant victory or death of a world. The military tends to rely on a mix of projectile and energy-based weaponry, with the heavier weapons tending to be projectile based. One of the most powerful pieces of technology that they possess is their FTL drive which has been fine-tuned to a very precise point. Because of this, Alkonester ship can make very accurate mid battle jumps, able to reposition and flank the enemy at their leisure.

Military
The military arm of the confederation is separated into four branches: Navy, Army, Air Force, and Planetary Guard.
Navy:
By far the most powerful branch of the Alkonester Military, the navy is responsible for most of the space based actions within the Confederation. Organised around seven main fleets, the navy provides the main striking force of the Confederation. With powerful battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, this is the true power of the Alkonester Confederation.

Army:
While not as large as the navy, the Confederation's army is still a force to be reckoned with, and should not be underestimated. The army is in charge of all ground troops and operations, and operates in tandem with the planetary guard for planetary defence.

Air Force:
Historically separate from the other branches throughout Alkonester history, with the advent of space flight, the branch had been mostly regulated to planetary defence, as much of the branch has been integrated into the navy. However, nowadays the air force serves mainly as the "Special Forces”of the Confederation, manning intelligence outposts and spy submarines throughout the Confederation.

Planetary Defence:
In charge of the defence of Alkonester soil, the planetary guard is the main obstacle to any invasion of the confederation. Sporting mainly defensive warships, this branch operates solely within the confederations territory, manning defence platforms and fleets within the home and colony systems.

Duck

Zendikarofthewest
Jumping at the edges of Alkonester territory, a small task force of 3 corvettes and a cruiser become visible to scanners.
Though they look like ordinary pirates, the ships dont have their weapons activated and most strange of all there is a clear attempt to open communications.

On board, the commander of the cruiser takes a deep breath. This may be his chance to be the first on a diplomatic mission to another faction.
Behind him his crew is both active and anticipative, waiting for a connection. A screen to the side showing 74% in favor of attempting such a feat.

Zendikarofthewest

Duck
Unidentified battlegroup closing upon the border. Scans show one cruiser, three corvettes.
"Let us see how they react. Perhaps... Someday.
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As the ships approach the border, seven ship drop out of warp in precise formation. Two cruisers, five destroyers. The lead cruiser hails the approaching ships.
This is the Valkyrie-class heavy cruiser "Skyfall" to unidentified craft. Please identify yourself or leave the area.

Duck

Zendikarofthewest
The ships are suprised, though their weapons remain deactivated.

The cruiser hails, though the language used is unrecognisable. Sounding like a slow rumble of rocks or debris.
After a short while the translations clear up, as a message is sent back in a common language.

Greetings, this is Commander Orm of task-force "Straixol-4". Representing the Buccaneers of Bruquens.
We come in peace, as we are eager to strike up positive diplomatic relations hopefully to mutual benefit.

Zendikarofthewest

Duck
It is going as planned. And yet... what is the purpose of the heart.
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After a second, the cruiser responds.
Very well. in order to negotiate we will proceed to a more... Secure location. Please pass through the jump gate one it is formed.
As this is said, four of the destroyers begin forming a diamond pattern, and charging their FTL drives. As they do so, a "Gate" is formed, showing a station just beyond it.

Duck

Zendikarofthewest

Though with a bit of hesitation, the ships follow along to pass through the gates and venture towards the station.

With the ships coming closer, upon inspection, on the surface of the corvettes and the cruiser there are a small number of crew working. Though without protective gear or restraints, they're still alive in the vacuum and seemingly fly back inside their ships right before the ships pass the gate.

Zendikarofthewest

Duck
Interesting. It seems the fish can fly. No matter.
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As the ships exit from the warp gate, the station comes into full view. It is sleek, with clean lines and a chrome colour, gleaming in the suns light. It contains many berths for ships of varying sizes, but most are empty as of now, for only two ship are docked at the moment. A purple and white battlecarrier, and a grey and green Valkyrie-class cruiser. After a second, a transmission is sent from the station, indicating docking spaces for the fleet, and how to proceed to them.

Duck

Zendikarofthewest

As the ships arrive, many crew are suprised by the higher quality of the station. It's looks outmatching what they had seen beforehand.

The ships follow along the assigned trail, docking in a ready space.
Inside, the crews are quite active, wondering about this new place and people. Though, they stay inside, as they wait for any new message.

Zendikarofthewest

Duck
As the ships dock, one more communication comes through the speaker.
Please send your ambassadors to conference room J.
A map and route to conference room J is sent along with the transmission.

Duck

Zendikarofthewest
Hearing the speakers, the commander looks back and signals to send the on-board ambassador out along with a guard for protection.

In the eyes of security cameras or dock-workers, out of the ship steps 2 avian-like beings made of rock, going towards the given route. Clearly not human-like, these are something more uncommon. Qhuecons.
Feeling the effects of artificial gravity, they seem somewhat encumbered. Walking slower than the free-flying sightings outside the station.

The two walk along the given route, impressed with the more sleek designs.

Zendikarofthewest

Duck
As they walk along the corridors, they see a few people, mostly what they assume to be Alkonesterians. Smaller than the typical human, they stand around 5' 0", with greyish pale skin. After a minute, they also encounter three people walking in the opposite direction. Unlike most of the people they have seen so far, they are taller, (Around typical human size) with blue skin. With them is an Alkonesterian in grey and green robes.