Avalon:Volume 0 Chapter 3 - Revision history

Aorii at 01:58, 2 May 2013

2013-05-02T01:58:18Z

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	"Ooooohh no, not even..." interjected assistant and acting tactical officer (ATO) Haidar from his seat. He looked a lot younger when his baldness was fully covered by a fishing hat, although the meshed taupe-gray cotton cloth really didn't match with the stiff design of his black uniform.		"Ooooohh no, not even..." interjected assistant and acting tactical officer (ATO) Haidar from his seat. He looked a lot younger when his baldness was fully covered by a fishing hat, although the meshed taupe-gray cotton cloth really didn't match with the stiff design of his black uniform.

	''~~Well,~~ designated mage of the party needs some eccentricities in his wardrobe.''		''Guess the designated mage of the party needs some eccentricities in his wardrobe.''

	From a young age, Kannon learned how to recognize and classify the roles of others at a glance -- a skill essential for those in leading positions. But this habit also took an unexpected turn for her, as she often compared roles of real people to archetypes found in her fantasy literature and games.		From a young age, Kannon learned how to recognize and classify the roles of others at a glance -- a skill essential for those in leading positions. But this habit also took an unexpected turn for her, as she often compared roles of real people to archetypes found in her fantasy literature and games.

Aorii at 01:40, 2 May 2013

2013-05-02T01:40:00Z

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	"...There's no need to apologize; it wasn't your fault to start with," Kannon replied with a meek smile.		"...There's no need to apologize; it wasn't your fault to start with," Kannon replied with a meek smile.

	The ten foot long, five kilo heavy starsteel chain and weight was still attached to the shackle locked onto Kannon's left wrist. Arkadi explained earlier that starsteel was a composite made using special meteorite ore that survived re-entry into Avalon's dense magical atmosphere. It was ~~no more metallic than~~ the diamondsteel used to armor starships~~. Its construction and durability was similar to diamond~~, ~~consisting~~ mostly of carbon bonded ~~using the same~~ crystal-lattice structure. However, it was also virtually impervious to any direct-effect magic short of Grand Sorceries. As a result, it was nearly impossible to cut or break without extremely powerful reactions, which would easily vaporize her arm before it could destroy the shackle itself.		The ten foot long, five kilo heavy starsteel chain and weight was still attached to the shackle locked onto Kannon's left wrist. Arkadi explained earlier that starsteel was a composite made using special meteorite ore that survived re-entry into Avalon's dense magical atmosphere. It was similar to the diamondsteel used to armor starships, with a mostly carbon-bonded crystal-lattice structure similar to diamond. However, it was also virtually impervious to any direct-effect magic short of Grand Sorceries. As a result, it was nearly impossible to cut or break without extremely powerful reactions, which would easily vaporize her arm before it could destroy the shackle itself.

	In the meantime, they gave Kannon three straps to minimize the chain's hindrance. Wrapped around her upper left arm, left thigh, and attached to the belt, two of the straps held the chain up with hooks before letting it trail back down -- leaving her arm unimpeded -- while the third buckled the end-weight to her thigh.		In the meantime, they gave Kannon three straps to minimize the chain's hindrance. Wrapped around her upper left arm, left thigh, and attached to the belt, two of the straps held the chain up with hooks before letting it trail back down -- leaving her arm unimpeded -- while the third buckled the end-weight to her thigh.

Aorii at 21:35, 25 April 2013

2013-04-25T21:35:20Z

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	Nothing about the outfit met the common conceptions of military standards, which spoke volumes about the Avalonian Republic's philosophy in uniform design. Lysette commented that 'since the uniforms weren't there for any practical defensive or camouflage value, why not make them look good?' She then showed Kannon it was just one of several options available in the armed forces. The only difference between the organizations was the color scheme used.		Nothing about the outfit met the common conceptions of military standards, which spoke volumes about the Avalonian Republic's philosophy in uniform design. Lysette commented that 'since the uniforms weren't there for any practical defensive or camouflage value, why not make them look good?' She then showed Kannon it was just one of several options available in the armed forces. The only difference between the organizations was the color scheme used.

	<nowiki>Even Kannon had to admit the men's uniform was quite dashing: the shirts' tight torsos accentuated the firmness of their chests; spaulder-like expansions made their shoulders seem broader and stronger; then the square collar, insignia, and tie added a noble formality to it all. Just the thought of seeing them every day was an incentive to join up.</nowiki>

	"...But where did you learn to pilot a spacecraft?" Arkadi continued his questions after another coffee break.		"...But where did you learn to pilot a spacecraft?" Arkadi continued his questions after another coffee break.
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	''I totally did it~!''		''I totally did it~!''

	With her eyes sparkling in joy, Kannon found herself dazed by a brief moment of complete euphoria before her senses returned. Her excitement almost yelled out loud as she hurrily bowed her head:		With her eyes sparkling in joy, Kannon found herself dazed by a brief moment of complete euphoria. In the game of life, recognition of success was her drug. Nothing could send her to greater heights than the rows of check marks on exams, the acceptance letters of institutes, the approving words of professors, the ravishing performance evaluations of supervisors, and most of all, the pats on the head from her own parents. It took several moments before her senses returned. Her excitement almost yelled out loud as she hurrily bowed her head:

	"I-I'm honored to be of help!"		"I-I'm honored to be of help!"

Aorii at 04:20, 11 April 2013

2013-04-11T04:20:26Z

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	Kannon wondered whether he was cynical or kind-hearted deep underneath -- probably not the latter if he was working here...		Kannon wondered whether he was cynical or kind-hearted deep underneath -- probably not the latter if he was working here...

	''Okay, now I'm just ~~unfairly~~ jumping to conclusions.''		''Okay, now I'm just jumping to unfair conclusions.''

	Engineering officer Korey, the last member of the ship's current crew, sat at the engineering terminal twirling his hair between his lithe fingers. He had an average build at one-seventy-five (5'9") in height, but with a distinctively feminine appearance with his large emerald-green eyes, thin arms, and long brown hair that went halfway down his back and draped forward over the shoulders. Both his delicate skin and hair seemed well cared for, and he always showed a gentle and attentive smile. His speech also used more words from the Altaic languages -- of the Japanese, Mongolian, Turkic, and Siberian regions -- than English, making it impossible to understand him without relying on the Communication Ring.		Engineering officer Korey, the last member of the ship's current crew, sat at the engineering terminal twirling his hair between his lithe fingers. He had an average build at one-seventy-five (5'9") in height, but with a distinctively feminine appearance with his large emerald-green eyes, thin arms, and long brown hair that went halfway down his back and draped forward over the shoulders. Both his delicate skin and hair seemed well cared for, and he always showed a gentle and attentive smile. His speech also used more words from the Altaic languages -- of the Japanese, Mongolian, Turkic, and Siberian regions -- than English, making it impossible to understand him without relying on the Communication Ring.
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	"Looks like that's a wrap," Arkadi declared with unwavering confidence. "Sorry to burst your bubble Lysette, but crash your REDEINs with Haidar's at opposed velocities with self-destruct armed. I want not a scrap remaining."		"Looks like that's a wrap," Arkadi declared with unwavering confidence. "Sorry to burst your bubble Lysette, but crash your REDEINs with Haidar's at opposed velocities with self-destruct armed. I want not a scrap remaining."

	"Yessir~!" The innocent and cheerful tone of Lysette's response felt like a whole different person compared to her sharp, twisted voice from merely moments ago.		"Yessir~!" The innocent and cheerful tone of Lysette's response felt like a whole different person's compared to her sharp, twisted voice from merely moments ago.

	Seconds later, all four REDEINs blinked and vanished from the area display at once. Both Haidar and Lysette then rose back up from their chairs after disconnecting the physical uplink between their implants and the control system.		Seconds later, all four REDEINs blinked and vanished from the area display at once. Both Haidar and Lysette then rose back up from their chairs after disconnecting the physical uplink between their implants and the control system.

Aorii at 04:09, 11 April 2013

2013-04-11T04:09:01Z

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Aorii: 3P edit

2013-04-10T15:37:19Z

3P edit

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Aorii at 05:06, 9 April 2013

2013-04-09T05:06:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:06, 9 April 2013
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_2\|Chapter 2]]		\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_2\|Chapter 2]]
			\| Ref to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_3_Old\|Old Format]]
	\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]
	\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_4\|Chapter 4]]		\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_4\|Chapter 4]]

Aorii at 02:07, 30 December 2012

2012-12-30T02:07:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:07, 30 December 2012
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	"On the surface, the Avalonian Republic may be a single stellar entity governed by a tricameral legislature," Arkadi began explaining in detail. "But the three houses and all its bureaucracy never gets anything done by themselves. Instead, it is the three Marshals of the three military districts that hold the real power -- both the political connections and monetary clout to push through the bills they want passed."		"On the surface, the Avalonian Republic may be a single stellar entity governed by a tricameral legislature," Arkadi began explaining in detail. "But the three houses and all its bureaucracy never gets anything done by themselves. Instead, it is the three Marshals of the three military districts that hold the real power -- both the political connections and monetary clout to push through the bills they want passed."

	"The system was set up this way by the three Marshals and their supporters who toppled the Dominion's tyranny one hundred and seven ~~Terran~~-years ago. They were originally rivals to the same throne of authority, but emerged from the revolution with similar power blocs. To maintain their power bases rather than continue an unpredictable war that everyone was tired of, they cut the Republic up into three separate military districts, each with an independent command structure."		"The system was set up this way by the three Marshals and their supporters who toppled the Dominion's tyranny one hundred and seven Terra-years ago. They were originally rivals to the same throne of authority, but emerged from the revolution with similar power blocs. To maintain their power bases rather than continue an unpredictable war that everyone was tired of, they cut the Republic up into three separate military districts, each with an independent command structure."

	"Except--" began Haidar, but Arkadi cut him back off as though he heard nothing:		"Except--" began Haidar, but Arkadi cut him back off as though he heard nothing:

Aorii: em-dash fix

2012-12-26T23:30:25Z

em-dash fix

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Aorii at 02:48, 26 December 2012

2012-12-26T02:48:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:06, 9 April 2013
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_2\|Chapter 2]]		\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_2\|Chapter 2]]
			\| Ref to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_3_Old\|Old Format]]
	\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]
	\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_4\|Chapter 4]]		\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_4\|Chapter 4]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:48, 26 December 2012
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	"On the surface, the Avalonian Republic may be a single stellar entity governed by a tricameral legislature," Arkadi began explaining in detail. "But the three houses and all its bureaucracy never gets anything done by themselves. Instead, it is the three Marshals of the three military districts that hold the real power --- both the political connections and monetary clout to push through the bills they want passed."		"On the surface, the Avalonian Republic may be a single stellar entity governed by a tricameral legislature," Arkadi began explaining in detail. "But the three houses and all its bureaucracy never gets anything done by themselves. Instead, it is the three Marshals of the three military districts that hold the real power --- both the political connections and monetary clout to push through the bills they want passed."

	"The system was set up this way by the three Marshals and their supporters who toppled the Dominion's tyranny one hundred and seven T-years ago. They were originally rivals to the same throne of authority, but emerged from the revolution with similar power blocs. To maintain their power bases rather than continue an unpredictable war that everyone was tired of, they cut the Republic up into three separate military districts, each with an independent command structure."		"The system was set up this way by the three Marshals and their supporters who toppled the Dominion's tyranny one hundred and seven Terran-years ago. They were originally rivals to the same throne of authority, but emerged from the revolution with similar power blocs. To maintain their power bases rather than continue an unpredictable war that everyone was tired of, they cut the Republic up into three separate military districts, each with an independent command structure."

	"Except---" began Haidar, but Arkadi cut him back off as though he heard nothing:		"Except---" began Haidar, but Arkadi cut him back off as though he heard nothing:
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	"But the distrust from the start soon developed into antagonism with an almost cold-war mentality. There are legal and civil administrative deterrents to prevent open war from breaking out between the districts, but assassination, sabotage, proxy terrorism --- those are common. Given our history of blaming one another for everything, the political backlash is minimum as long as one keeps proof out of the enemy's hands. Although, what we just accomplished is probably a bit... unprecedented."		"But the distrust from the start soon developed into antagonism with an almost cold-war mentality. There are legal and civil administrative deterrents to prevent open war from breaking out between the districts, but assassination, sabotage, proxy terrorism --- those are common. Given our history of blaming one another for everything, the political backlash is minimum as long as one keeps proof out of the enemy's hands. Although, what we just accomplished is probably a bit... unprecedented."

	Arkadi and his group seemed to be what history would call a 'Black Operation' team~~. They were~~ agents of the government who carried out missions so illegal that even their superiors couldn't admit to their existence. Although this group was probably hiding their true roles under the guise of an esoteric military branch.		Arkadi and his group seemed to be what history would call a 'Black Operation' team, agents of the government who carried out missions so illegal that even their superiors couldn't admit to their existence. Although this group was probably hiding their true roles under the guise of an esoteric military branch.

	Arkadi shrugged with a forced smile, "You could basically say that we're actually three warring states, each with our own warlord; but somehow we managed to play happy family together under one dynasty."		Arkadi shrugged with a forced smile, "You could basically say that we're actually three warring states, each with our own warlord; but somehow we managed to play happy family together under one dynasty."
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	"There's no need to apologize; it wasn't your fault to start with," I responded with a meek smile.		"There's no need to apologize; it wasn't your fault to start with," I responded with a meek smile.

	The ten foot long, five kilos (11lbs) heavy starsteel chain and weight was still attached to the shackle locked onto my left wrist. Arkadi explained earlier that starsteel, made from special meteorite ore from the planet of Avalon, was no more metallic than the diamondsteel used to armor starships. But it was virtually impervious to any direct-effect magic short of Grand Sorceries~~. It was also formed from the same carbon-heavy composite using a diamond-lattice structure~~. As a result, it was nearly impossible to cut or break without extremely powerful reactions, which would easily vaporize my arm before it could destroy the shackle itself.		The ten foot long, five kilos (11lbs) heavy starsteel chain and weight was still attached to the shackle locked onto my left wrist. Arkadi explained earlier that starsteel, made from special meteorite ore from the planet of Avalon, was no more metallic than the diamondsteel used to armor starships. Its construction and durability was similar to diamond, being also made from mostly carbon and using the same crystal-lattice structure. But it was also virtually impervious to any direct-effect magic short of Grand Sorceries. As a result, it was nearly impossible to cut or break without extremely powerful reactions, which would easily vaporize my arm before it could destroy the shackle itself.

	In the meantime, they gave me three items to help minimize the chain's hindrance: a strap for my upper left arm where a small hook held the chain up from the shackle to give my arm unimpeded motion; a second hook strapped onto the belt where the rest of the chain hanged from; and a holder strapped to my left thigh that held the weight.		In the meantime, they gave me three items to help minimize the chain's hindrance: a strap for my upper left arm where a small hook held the chain up from the shackle to give my arm unimpeded motion; a second hook strapped onto the belt where the rest of the chain hanged from; and a holder strapped to my left thigh that held the weight.
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	"<u>But at this range, they'll probably pick up enough emissions leak through our stealth fields if we activate engines, even on minimum... What are our chances of passing them undetected?</u>"		"<u>But at this range, they'll probably pick up enough emissions leak through our stealth fields if we activate engines, even on minimum... What are our chances of passing them undetected?</u>"

	"<u>None. We can't get past them without entering their Aurasense detectors' range in five minutes' time~~. That~~'ll pierce through anything short of Sanctum wards.</u>"		"<u>None. We can't get past them without entering their Aurasense detectors' range in five minutes' time; that'll pierce through anything short of Sanctum wards.</u>"

	Arkadi sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose just before he stepped through the bridge doors. For a split second, his countenance revealed the exhaustion that he was hiding.		Arkadi sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose just before he stepped through the bridge doors. For a split second, his countenance revealed the exhaustion that he was hiding.
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	"REDEINs away," reported Marius. The fact that he, an infantry captain, was filling in the role of a tactical assistant meant that this ship was severely understaffed.		"REDEINs away," reported Marius. The fact that he, an infantry captain, was filling in the role of a tactical assistant meant that this ship was severely understaffed.

	"Kannon, you've dealt with navigation data before right? Give me a hand --- combine my results with Kaplan's and run a trajectory match on them at 95% confidence~~. Then~~ send what remains to Haidar and Lysette."		"Kannon, you've dealt with navigation data before right? Give me a hand --- combine my results with Kaplan's and run a trajectory match on them at 95% confidence, then send what remains to Haidar and Lysette."

	"Yes!" I responded reflexively in surprise. Even with the staff shortage, I wasn't been expecting him to ask for my help!		"Yes!" I responded reflexively in surprise. Even with the staff shortage, I wasn't been expecting him to ask for my help!
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	(Better to trust my instincts while we still have the chance, right?)		(Better to trust my instincts while we still have the chance, right?)

	I read the three remaining red stars' coordinates, one at a time and each for several seconds~~. Meanwhile I passed~~ it straight through the neural-link to the computer ~~and~~ ordered it to send out the updated tracking data...		I read the three remaining red stars' coordinates, one at a time and each for several seconds, while passing it straight through the neural-link to the computer. Then I ordered it to send out the updated tracking data...

	"Take that!" Lysette shouted over the audio.		"Take that!" Lysette shouted over the audio.
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	I didn't even have time to think about what Arkadi implied before Kaplan began yet another long-winded explanation that required all of my attention just to comprehend...		I didn't even have time to think about what Arkadi implied before Kaplan began yet another long-winded explanation that required all of my attention just to comprehend...

	He turned to his terminal for a second before responding "not good". He then switched the main display to show a holographic three-dimensional projection of the entire star system. The two class-K orange-red dwarve stars Logres A and Logres B of the astrometric binary star system were both near the apogee of their highly elliptic orbits around the barycenter, with a distance of 97 astronomical units between them. Along with the Avalon Wormhole, the three almost formed a right triangle, with Logres A 92AUs away from the wormhole and Logres B 34AUs away. The A-primary was orbited by six planets, with the second planet Avalon and third planet Caerleon forming a binary planet system on the ecliptic plane. Both of them were highlighted for their colonized status. Four other planets surrounded the B-primary, with its first planet Brocéliande similarly highlighted.		He turned to his terminal for a second before responding "not good". He then switched the main display to show a holographic three-dimensional projection of the entire star system. The two class-K orange-red dwarve stars Logres A and Logres B of the astrometric binary star system were both near the apogee (far ends) of their highly elliptic orbits around the barycenter (the area where the figure-8 shaped twin star orbits cross over one another), with a distance of 97 astronomical units between them. Along with the Avalon Wormhole, the three almost formed a right triangle, with Logres A 92AUs away from the wormhole and Logres B 34AUs away. The A-primary was orbited by six planets, with the second planet Avalon and third planet Caerleon forming a binary planet system on the ecliptic plane. Both of them were highlighted for their colonized status. Four other planets surrounded the B-primary, with its first planet Brocéliande similarly highlighted.

	"Most of the 1st District Battle Fleet is now gathered on the far side of the wormhole, with 2nd ~~district~~'s Home Defense Fleet in between us and them." Kaplan explained as he highlighted various sectors on the map where entire fleet formations were displayed. "Due to our launch direction from star fortress ''Hadrian'', we've had no choice but to proceed towards the far side of the Logres B system to avoid the sensors of 2nd District's ships. But since we didn't have time to resupply after our last trip or aboard the ''Hadrian'', the last REDEIN launch had pushed our strained fuel reserves to critical."		"Most of the 1st District Battle Fleet is now gathered on the far side of the wormhole, with 2nd District's Home Defense Fleet in between us and them." Kaplan explained as he highlighted various sectors on the map where entire fleet formations were displayed. "Due to our launch direction from star fortress ''Hadrian'', we've had no choice but to proceed towards the far side of the Logres B system to avoid the sensors of 2nd District's ships. But since we didn't have time to resupply after our last trip or aboard the ''Hadrian'', the last REDEIN launch had pushed our strained fuel reserves to critical."

	"Given the situation, our arcane core won't be able to spare much ether outside maintaining the stealth field. Worse yet, there isn't a single 1st ~~district~~ capital ship left within the Logres B system to receive us. It would also be difficult for Marshal Comorus Kernow to find an appropriate excuse to dispatch another ship here right now."		"Given the situation, our arcane core won't be able to spare much ether outside maintaining the stealth field. Worse yet, there isn't a single 1st District capital ship left within the Logres B system to receive us. It would also be difficult for Marshal Comorus Kernow to find an appropriate excuse to dispatch another ship here right now."

	"So --- we're all going behind enemy lines? Again?" Haidar asked with obvious distaste.		"So --- we're all going behind enemy lines? Again?" Haidar asked with obvious distaste.