Agent047
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720 - "F*ck"
🕑 Added 2024-09-08 10:22:00 +0000 UTCAfter five hours, the data transfer from the other side was completed. The transfer of information about humans only required about two hours, but it was intentionally extended by including filler and other white noise to conclude simultaneously with the other side’s transfer. This delay was a deliberate strategy to ensure that the other side wouldn’t cut off their data transfer once they realized that all of their information had been received.
This approach also explained why both sides sent data in a format that could only be fully read once the entire transfer was complete. This was to prevent either side from analyzing the information in real time and drawing conclusions about the other’s capabilities before the full data had been exchanged.
Everyone with access to the information began sifting through it at their maximum speed, which was determined by the AI’s processing capabilities. This race to analyze the data quickly aimed to provide an edge over the other side.
Once Nova had finished processing the terabytes of information and filtering out the garbage and filler data, she activated Aron’s implants to their maximum capacity. The implants accelerated his time perception to stretch a single second into a minute and forty seconds. She then materialized a hologram in front of him, displaying only the most crucial pieces of information. The remaining data would be reviewed later, when they had more time.
Nova chose not to assimilate the information directly into Aron’s system, as doing so could render him out of commission for an extended period. In the current situation, where he needed to be reachable at all times, it was crucial to avoid any risk of him being unavailable.
Aron, understanding Nova's approach, focused on reading the hologram to bring himself up to date.
The same process was occurring for every one actively participating in the mission. Depending on their level of implants or headgear, time acceleration ranged from twenty times to sixty times the normal speed. Aron was an exception, handling the fastest currently possible time perception acceleration due to his advanced implants together with his brain being able to handle it, albeit with some slight pain, nothing he couldn’t handle.
Xalthar was from a race called the Elara, known for their specialization in magical advancements. The Elara were among the top ten powers within the Astral Conclave, a governing body that acted as both the rule-maker and enforcer, holding all the species within it together. The Astral Conclave functioned like a united nation but wielded significantly more power.
The information sent did not disclose their exact rank within the top ten powers of the Astral Conclave, which indirectly suggested that they were positioned toward the lower end of this ranking, given that they only emphasized their inclusion in the top ten.
The minimum requirement to join the Astral Conclave is to control at least one entire star system. The more star systems a species controls, the higher their position within the Conclave. Consequently, the Conclave includes a range of entities: some are kings of their species, while others are representatives of business chambers that manage one or multiple star systems and many others.
However, meeting the entry requirement of controlling at least one star system was only the beginning. Another crucial requirement was the ability to defend that star system against potential invasions. Alternatively, a species could secure entry by obtaining the backing of an existing Conclave member. To gain such support, a species needed to offer something valuable enough to attract an ally but not so enticing that it risked their star system being forcibly taken over and absorbed into the ally’s domain.
A third option for joining the Astral Conclave was to become a branch species of an existing member. However, this route meant that the species would be under the control of the parent race, effectively surrendering their autonomy. Most species avoided this option, as it would result in a loss of freedom and independence, making it a last resort primarily used to prevent species from being eliminated or enslaved.
For the branch species option to work though, the species seeking entry had to be accepted by an existing member of the Conclave. However, many species were reluctant to take on the responsibility of protecting and managing a branch species when they could simply enslave them with no such obligations. Consequently, this option was rarely chosen, with offers to become a branch species usually only accepted if the species had something particularly valuable or of sentimental importance to the potential host.
The Astral Conclave only recognized and protected entities that were formally registered under their system. Depending on the category, these entities would have specific rights. Anything not registered and owned within the Conclave was considered open for claim, whether it was a star system or its inhabitants. This created an incentive for many species to prevent others from joining the Conclave, as joining would mean that their species and star systems would be registered and come under the protection of the Conclave, thereby formalizing ownership and protection.
The most common method for registering with the Astral Conclave involved declaring ownership of at least one planet. This declaration effectively extended control to everything within that planetary system, granting the declaring species ownership and rights over all associated assets. Typically, this registration was managed by a government, allowing them to maintain their governance and control over their territory without the fear of sudden loss of autonomy or being reduced to a subordinate status.
Slavery of conquered species was a widespread and openly practiced business within the Astral Conclave. Although it was not officially sanctioned by the Conclave, every member was involved in some capacity. The lack of action to ban this practice stemmed from the fact that all Conclave members benefited from it, and as long as their own species were not at risk of becoming enslaved, there was little incentive to challenge the status quo.
As a result of the registry system and the lucrative slave trade, many species had individuals seeking to strike it rich by exploring new star systems. These explorers hoped to discover valuable materials or species that they could sell information about to one of the top ten powers for a substantial reward.
The reason they didn’t attempt to claim ownership themselves was that the process of declaring ownership did not guarantee permanent control. Any species could counter-declare ownership, leading to a conflict to settle the claim. This type of conflict was essentially a war declaration, as the fight would involve everything related to the disputed star system and its assets.
“Fuck,” Aron exclaimed internally as he read through that section.
