Private Encrypted Message to UnityPrime

Prime,

I recieved the broadband message regarding Strategic Round Table Discussion 192691-B, and sadly I must agreed. My brother and I have spent too long hiding our heads in the sand, letting the universe wage it's wars while we spent all out time wrapped up in our individual projects. As a man of science, I'm sure you understand the lure. However, being blinded by the pursuit of knowledge was the very reason for the events at Cepheus. I was glad to here there were no losses to any but the Warmonger Cult fleet. Still, now knowing that Viv'aye'ahn was there trying to contact me, I wish more than ever that I had dropped everything and made it my sole priority.
I admit, I was very sheltered back at Ataryu, and I'm still trying to get 'up to speed' at times. This is another reason why I personaly have been so cautious and slow to act at times. I cannot speak for my brother, he does not even know about this message.
I ask two questions of you. 1. How may I be of the most help in the war against Warmonger? 2. What will it take to gain Viv'aye'ahn's freedom?

*Encrypted reply*

Lil'ye'ahn,

We are pleased that you have decided to reach out regarding this issue. It must be difficult to do so, considering the things I have done to K'ias in the past. I will start with my advice.

1) You desperately need a way around EMP and chill shielding. As long as every single one of your units is vulnerable, it will be used against you every time. In particular, this is a defensive vulnerability. Strike teams would have an easy time getting to you personally, considering the nature of your guards. I've not yet needed to take either you or your brother in for experimentation, but plans have been drawn which keep the risk of contaminating you with Zela relatively low. Long range scans indicate you have a...garden...and that your brother has developed some sort of creature which has been incorporated into Dr. Gilmore's habitat. This would be worth pursuing such that you can get organic guards.

2) Commit forces to assist in battles when the outcome interests you and/or all creation. We know full well that time is often short for those who do science. There is no shame in simply sending in a small force to help when there is a reality-critical mission. Your people could easily convert battlefield scrap into an armada. Even though we are at some times rivals, the Unity understands exactly what is at stake when we hold back threats to reality.

3) Consider raiding the spaceship graveyard for raw materials. Your people are uniquely suited to raids on this space, as they create no nightmares. In this fashion you can build additional units quickly.

4) Utilize your specialists more often. Considering the modular nature of the SUARM, there is little reason to not utilize your highly adaptable commandos in missions relative to your interests. As they are adaptable, you don't need to give incredibly detailed instructions/load outs. Trust in the skill of your people.

5) When it comes to your research and industry, delegate when you can and set up command structures. The research of one cannot match the research of one nation. We are certain that the SUARM would be happy to lighten your load and take direction remotely. My lab is always active, but I am not always in it. We cannot stress this enough. The SUARM are idle because their leadership does not show sufficient trust to delegate, I think. Changes here will echo across your territory quickly.

6) It seems silly, but pick a rival. The EEF has languished because no one is interested in attacking them. We stay sharp in the TRILAT by sharpening our teeth on one another while (generally) avoiding killing blows. This internal rivalry, and our rivalry with the Iron Republic, keeps things moving here at a fast pace. Find your rhythm with an opponent and you will find things much easier. I suggest either myself, the Quall, or the Nelif.

I believe you were ill-served by Ataryu. Ft. Lendil should be one of the Unity's great rivals, and with luck, you will be. I hope these points help. You can, of course, submit yourself to the process of becoming a Sanguine Lord if you desire power to stop Warmonger. I would be interested in seeing how an adult of your race is enhanced by infusion with the forces produced by my more esoteric entropic engines. You would be almost unstoppable after such a procedure.

In summation, I suggest that you be less cautious, avoid being foolhardy, and remember that the SUARM are remarkably hard to kill. We have every faith in you.

Regarding Viv'aye'ahn, she may gain freedom once we are certain there is no taint, and once we have finished codifying relevant data. At this stage, there is little that you can do to secure her release. We have been waiting to have a untainted mature K'ias as a test subject for some time. As the situation develops, we will keep you appraised if you wish to provide us incentive to release her to your custody.

Prime

*****Encrypted Reply*****

Prime,

First of all, I must thank you for your aid, the data was invaluable in quelling the rebellion your allies attempted to incite. I do not hold their actions against you or the Unity, and hope that down the line we can continue to work together to bring peace to the galaxy and defend it from Warmonger. However I am still distressed that Viv'aye'ahn remains in your custody. These 'tests', what do they entail? I would have no harm, physical or mental brought upon a stranger, much less one of my line. You mentioned 'incentives' for releasing my dear cousin. Tell me, what kind of incentives would you be interested in? If there is something within my power that would convince you to release Viv, please, do not hesitate to ask.

Lil'ye'ahn,

I am sure that your cousin would appreciate your sentiment. I am awaiting her reply, and then from there it will be seen just how invasive I will have to be. Since my birth, I've had the opportunity to study the fascinating physiology of your species extensively. Your mutable form and your capacity for data storage make for profoundly excellent utility.

My testing procedures are largely painless, though perhaps a bit gruesome. I have not had the opportunity to work on an adult of your race, and so it is likely that there may be some pain associated with the re-calibration of techniques.

Of course...assuming she is not of the Warmonger, it could be considered that your associates in the asylum have been remarkably more effective at "humanely" reforming rouge K'ias. However, were I to just HAND her to you, I would lose out on the ability to make countless more of your race. She is untouched by Zela, and as such can make a nearly infinite number of K'ias children. These could become Sanguine Lords to fight the Warmonger. Valuable.

Your brother has something I want. N.E.S.A. technology. If you can give us a sample, and the plans for such a device, it would be worth my while to not keep your cousin in my lab. After all, she would do well in your associate's expert care.

Prime.

PS Congratulations on your new appointment and honors! They are very well deserved, considering your defense of Ft. Lendil space. I wish you continued success.

*****Encrypted Reply*****

Prime,

I have in my possession one upgraded NESA missile. A 'gift' from my brother. I would be willing to trade it to you for Viv's release. As for the technology itself, that I cannot provide you. My brother keeps it a well guarded secret that even I am not privy to. I highly doubt he would be willing to turn it over to anyone, much less someone who sees one of our family members as either a test subject or breeding stock. Would you be so callus if she were one of your own people?


*****End Transmission*****

Lil'ye'ahn,

Our negotiation is taking place at a much faster speed than the interrogation. Once I have her answers, I would be willing to trade her for one N.E.S.A. missile, as long as it is not tampered with. No tricks, no traps. It will be thoroughly checked before your cousin is delivered to you.

As for my position on K'ias, in the great expanse, we are much more merciful than all groups excepting Refuge to your kind. They are not tortured or killed. Instead, they are given the gift of power and understanding. It a more than ample exchange for their ability to steal lives.

In base form, your kind are in the unfortunate position where any one K'ias can bring down an entire civilization. The ability to breed rapidly, perfectly shapeshift, steal memories, and make annihilators, is a combination to be feared. I must work to generate solutions for dealing with the K'ias, just as I must work to generate solutions for the Quall and Warmonger. It is my nature, and I apologize for the offense this explanation may cause you.

I am not callus. If I were, my treatment of test subjects would be inhumane. You can ask your cousin of her treatment when she arrives.

Lil'ye'ahn,

Thank you for taking part in my ruse. Your cousin is free, and I've attached to this message her new ship's coordinates. She knows where you are as well, if she wants to go to you she will. I just needed to make sure she was not involved with the Warmonger as an infiltrator, and to the best of my knowledge she is not.

I require no ransom. That is not my style.

Prime

Prime,

While I don't appreciate being duped, it is good to know that Viv is not tainted by Warmonger. Also, by your actions you have shown yourself to be an honorable man. This is something my brother and I respect. Perhaps in the future we can work together to end the threat of Warmonger once and for all.


Lil'ye'ahn

Lil'ye'ahn,

To be fair, it was not you being duped, exactly. The negotiations were in good faith. If you had been less willing to make a sacrifice for your cousin, things might have turned out differently.

The issue we often have is that there is very little that we need aside from understanding. The Unity, by necessity, has become largely self sufficient. If you are willing to help us against the Warmonger, and in particular, the Nelif, this exchange will have been worth every moment. Your SUARM combined with Unity extermination protocols gives us a fighting chance against the Nelif, as your people likely cannot be mind controlled by them.

As soon as our investigation on Ryn Lac is concluded, we will likely have many targets to discuss.

By the way, how is the advice I gave treating you? I've noticed you are dramatically increasing your plant research, which is encouraging. I've also noticed you are a much more significant presence in the Great Expanse, which makes me very pleased. Would that there were more rational actors at play.

Prime