What is happening with TNE?

[MJD]

There was no riling. I just meant that an alliance kinda makes sense. As to the would the Hivers pose a threat to such an expansion, yes they would.

So, a question. The Hivers are working through catspaw humans, with minimal resources. If they recovered so well, what else are they doing? Hmm.

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by MJD:
There was no riling. I just meant that an alliance kinda makes sense. As to the would the Hivers pose a threat to such an expansion, yes they would.

So, a question. The Hivers are working through catspaw humans, with minimal resources. If they recovered so well, what else are they doing? Hmm.

-------------------------------------------------
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.

The conspiracist within this heretic's "heart of hearts" sez, they're
*A)hiding a rapid build up of their own to be able to Hold their borders against the forseeable K'Kree Hordes.
*B) Hiding a rapid infrastructural re-organization and indepth recovery of worlds still "lost" from their Human catspaws
(Never see any RC folks travelling to SPICA sector do we? Why IS that?) Makes ya go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!?

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by Liam Devlin:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by MJD:
So, a question. The Hivers are working through catspaw humans, with minimal resources. If they recovered so well, what else are they doing? Hmm.

The conspiracist within this heretic's "heart of hearts" sez, they're
*A)hiding a rapid build up of their own to be able to Hold their borders against the forseeable K'Kree Hordes.
*B) Hiding a rapid infrastructural re-organization and indepth recovery of worlds still "lost" from their Human catspaws
(Never see any RC folks travelling to SPICA sector do we? Why IS that?) Makes ya go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!?</font>[/QUOTE]A) Hivers, thru thier advanced understanding of pyschology and profiling, knew/predicted that a rebuilt K'K'ree entity would start an extermination jihad because:
1) They blame the meateaters for thier fall.
2) In religious terms they see the Virus as the universes way of testing the K'Kree and weaken the meateaters.

B) I say it's like they didn't collapse as bad as the rest of space.
1) The Hiver systems were already well protected against intrusion (The Hiver personal safety issue in design).
2) They could have develop a partially successful quarentine, similar to the Regency. Most world suffered some damage, but all key worlds and computer systems were protected. A false fall happens, both actual and staged.
3) The Hiver key computer controls did not have easy or direct connectivity with Imperial designs.
IYR in one of the DGP adventures, a Hiver scientist/manipulator caused an incident at an Imperial Robotics conference. The intent was to weaken the trade relations between the Feds and the Imps. He theory was the Fed was getting too dependent on outside tech and designs. He wanted the Hivers to become self-reliant.

This last theory brings up a question. Did the Hivers have advance warning about the Virus? No, but they understood the possibility thru typical computer security paranoia and knowledge about the research on the Cymbeline chips.

 

[kafka47]

WOW!!! All I can say is your background is better than your novels (and I love your fiction). When, how can I get more...I reverse my earlier stand, I want to see your background milieu materialize ASAP.

On a more serious note, I hope that you will be able to flush out more details as we get closer to a release date. But, these morsals are so tasty, I wish that could be sooner than later.

 

[daryen]

Originally posted by MJD:
So, a question. The Hivers are working through catspaw humans, with minimal resources. If they recovered so well, what else are they doing? Hmm.

To me, there are two obvious (but mutually exclusive) answers.

The first option is: They have NOT recovered as well as believed. They are helping where they can, but the rumors of a full recovery are vastly overstated.

The second option is: Their primary focus is the K'kree border. The humans, not even those racist Solomani, were never a real threat to their existance. The K'kree, on the other hand, had kicked their asses. They have to know that when the K'kree recover, they will come out shooting. They MUST be ready for that.

A twisted addition to that second idea is that one way the Hivers are preparing for the recovery of the K'kree is that they are "manipulating" some isolated K'kree populations to aid with this effort.

Please note that this manipulation could either fail or backfire. Regardless, doing such a massive manuipulation like that in such a tight timeframe would require massive resources.

 

[PapaGolfWhiskey]

Whoahohoooo...

That last post gave me a VERY bad Idea.

Who said the Dominate are the K'kree?
Who said the Hivers are on The side opposing the Dominate?

The Hivers are master manipulators and safety freaks. what might they do to create a buffer between them and the 'unsafe' humans...especially if they could completely integerate the K'kree under their dominating and manipulative thumb?

just a random BLING!! from all the guesses and clues floating around.

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by daryen:
To me, there are two obvious (but mutually exclusive) answers.

The first option is: They have NOT recovered as well as believed. They are helping where they can, but the rumors of a full recovery are vastly overstated.

That's possible. They could be using RC and others to do the work of rebuilding interstellar society while the Hivers are busy restoring thier own stuff.

There's another possibility that goes with this option. Liam HiC posted this earlier that the Hivers want to draw all the attention away from the Spica Sector. Besides creating a friendly buffer state with RC, it makes everyone too busy dealing with the RC. Either the Hivers survived better than everyone else, or they are engaged in a massive reconstruction that is geared towards either defending against any K'Kree action, and an offensive to neutralize future threats from the K'Kree or Humans.

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by Garf:
Whoahohoooo...

That last post gave me a VERY bad Idea.

Who said the Dominate are the K'kree?
Who said the Hivers are on The side opposing the Dominate?.

IIRC I was the first person that posted the idea, but MJD did hint a Dominate and K'Kree connection.

Hmmm. They began the Dominate to help in controlling/neutralising the K'Kree. Now that's an interesting twist.

There's another possibility. They stay neutral claiming they need to finishing rebuilding the Federation. This is partially true, but they are are rebuilding for a future offensive stance. The philosophy behind this is a militant parental feelings to help the collapsed worlds.

Originally posted by Garf:
The Hivers are master manipulators and safety freaks. what might they do to create a buffer between them and the 'unsafe' humans...especially if they could completely integerate the K'kree under their dominating and manipulative thumb?

just a random BLING!! from all the guesses and clues floating around.

Great ideas, but I was really hankerin' for some K'Kree steaks, BBQ, and veal!

mmmm...
K'Kree burgers!
Kung Pao K'Kree!
K'Kree Veal Parmacian!!

AAGH <drool, drool>

 

[labete]

Sigh..

I really try avoiding asking these Q's (prefer to dig it the answer out myself), but at the risk of seeming ill-informed...

they know NZSJr exists

??? What is NZSJr? Even in Travellers acronym-heavy universe, that seems more than usually impenetrable.

Cheers.

--------------
woot.

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by La Bete:
Sigh..

I really try avoiding asking these Q's (prefer to dig it the answer out myself), but at the risk of seeming ill-informed...

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> they know NZSJr exists

??? What is NZSJr? Even in Travellers acronym-heavy universe, that seems more than usually impenetrable.

Cheers.

--------------
woot.</font>[/QUOTE]ZS - Ziru Sirka - Bilandin name for the 1st Imperium

NZS - Neo/New Ziru Sirka - the Vlani faction during the Rebellion

NZSjr - Neo/New Ziru Sirka junior - my short hand for the TNE Vland pocket empire that rises in MJD's upcoming M:1248 sourcebook.

Hope that helps.

I was actually wondering how long before someone would ask that question.

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by daryen:
To me, there are two obvious (but mutually exclusive) answers.

The first option is: They have NOT recovered as well as believed. They are helping where they can, but the rumors of a full recovery are vastly overstated.
------------------------------------------------
I'll certainly give that the green light as an obvious answer.
-------------------------------------------------
The second option is: Their primary focus is the K'kree border. The humans, not even those racist Solomani, were never a real threat to their existance. The K'kree, on the other hand, had kicked their asses. They have to know that when the K'kree recover, they will come out shooting. They MUST be ready for that.

A twisted addition to that second idea is that one way the Hivers are preparing for the recovery of the K'kree is that they are "manipulating" some isolated K'kree populations to aid with this effort.

Please note that this manipulation could either fail or backfire. Regardless, doing such a massive manuipulation like that in such a tight timeframe would require massive resources.

-------------------------------------------------
Looking at this in a tactical sense (astrographically):
There are two ways around the Delphi/Glimmdrift reft- One is through Hinterworlds/OE/Upper Delphi (M-P subsectors)Sectors...
The other, Through Gateway/Ley Sectors towards Core.
The Hivers are out creating pockets/ stable islands of Human polities in Hinterowlrds/ OE: Pockets of resistance that will slow down and cause an invading force to surround/ deal with...That takes assets of ships and supplies undreamed of in most Small ship universe-minded folks.
The Dominate-K'Kree Hordes have two avenues of approach. The Hivers have effectively placed roadblocks on the "southern course" (rimward), the path towards Capital however, is relatively bare.
IN the meantime, the K'Kree wary of the Hivers previous war plan, may opt for a ruthless war against them too-no talking this time for manipulation to occur! Just shoot em all, they'll make fine fertilizer later.
Towards this fear, the Hivers are gearing up for what must be a war of supremacy. This foe must be met, and defeated, beaten utterly to accept peace. And they will need help. AL the help they can get...(enter all of Humaniti plus peacemakers...once they've finished squabbling to se the REAL threat.)

 

[jalberti]

In thinking about the K'Kree, I think that would have suffered much less of a population loss than the other races. The K'Kree mostly settle worlds that have oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres and significant land mass. Few would be on vacuum worlds or worlds requiring enclosing domes in hostile atmospheres. These worlds require massive computer support. Computer support Virus could infect and destroy.

The K'Kree are also conservative about technology. They probably do not use it in many of the applications seen elsewhere, so Virus would have had less an impact.

I am not certain I would see them leaving their space on a jihad in TNE. I would think they would become more isolationist and protect their borders and work to re-unify the Two Thousand Worlds.

As far as the alien races go, I favor the K'Kree and would like to see a resurgance of their power.

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by jalberti:
In thinking about the K'Kree, I think that would have suffered much less of a population loss than the other races. The K'Kree mostly settle worlds that have oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres and significant land mass. Few would be on vacuum worlds or worlds requiring enclosing domes in hostile atmospheres. These worlds require massive computer support. Computer support Virus could infect and destroy.

The K'Kree are also conservative about technology. They probably do not use it in many of the applications seen elsewhere, so Virus would have had less an impact.

I am not certain I would see them leaving their space on a jihad in TNE. I would think they would become more isolationist and protect their borders and work to re-unify the Two Thousand Worlds.

As far as the alien races go, I favor the K'Kree and would like to see a resurgance of their power.

------------------------------------------------

In the first two instances of your post, I am in full agreement. They tended to inhabit worlds they could use, or dominate.

But it would affect their starships to a degree-and Imperial Vampire ships (out of Ley), or Human ships from Hinterworlds sector would be a threat to them.

I disagree with you (amicably-grins) that they wouldn't go as you see them, conservatively watching their borders.
K'Kree are by nature a herd sophont, and tend to work in large groups. ANY loss of life would affect the entire group. And since some of the smallest of their ships weighs in at 6ktns (their idea of a Far Trader/ Scout ship), this could be construed as a threat to the herd/ clan/ kingdom/ realm/ 22 thousand Worlds in that order.
Multiply that several hundred times--and the K'Kree will react.
Once they realize this threat is /originates from Humaniti's space, and the impact it has had--they will be left with a golden opportunity the likes of which may never come their way again--to eradicate the meat-eating dogs that we are from the stars/ conquer more room (as you said, most will have survived the major effects of Virus.) BUT those who perished will needs be avenged.

 

[cgriffen]

Sounds awesome, Martin. Now publish it!

 

[Tim Soholt]

Originally posted by MJD:
The Grand Fleet of All Humaniti confronts the Dominate in Gateway Domain, hoping to stem the tide before it is too late. For the first and only time in history, all the major branches of humaniti are together, fighting against extinction.

All Humaniti, folks! That means the Zhodani too! I'm not really up on my late-Rebellion history, but unless the Two Thousand Worlds gained a lot of territory, it seems odd that a threat from the K'kree would cause as much trouble for the Zhos as for the 4th Imperium.

Something from trailing-coreward would make more sense, plowing through the Vargr Extents or the trailing edge of the Consulate. Something to do with the Empress Wave, maybe?

Then again, I wouldn't mind seeing the K'kree as major baddies. "Hamburger for lunch, you bet!" (I have an inexplicable fondness for the Ithklur as written in Aliens of the Rim, goofiness and all.)

(Edited to make my first paragraph make sense.)

 

[EvilDrGanymede]

Originally posted by Tim Soholt:

Originally posted by MJD:
All Humaniti, folks! That means the Zhodani too! I'm not really up on my late-Rebellion history, but unless the Two Thousand Worlds gained a lot of territory, it seems odd that a threat from the K'kree would cause as much trouble for the Zhos as for the 4th Imperium.

I dare say it's something along the lines of "if we don't chip in here and help out, we're next". Last time I looked, the Zhos weren't vegetarians.

Something from trailing-coreward would make more sense, plowing through the Vargr Extents or the trailing edge of the Consulate. Something to do with the Empress Wave, maybe?

What in tarnation is this Empress Wave thingie?

(I just discovered I had a copy of the MT Journal with "Lords of Thunder" in it, woohoo! But at the end of the magazine, they talk about stuff to come, including something about a nautiloid psiocnic hivemind race called the Primordials who come charging in from the Core back to the Zho Consulate and generally cause trouble. They sounded kinda cool...)

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede:
Originally posted by Tim Soholt:
[qb] What in tarnation is this Empress Wave thingie?

(I just discovered I had a copy of the MT Journal with "Lords of Thunder" in it, woohoo! But at the end of the magazine, they talk about stuff to come, including something about a nautiloid psiocnic hivemind race called the Primordials who come charging in from the Core back to the Zho Consulate and generally cause trouble. They sounded kinda cool...)

Hey Guys! What if the Empress Wave, coming from the Primordials, caused the rise of the Dominate by affecting the K'Kree and boosting thier impulse to kill all meateaters especially humans? Intel indicates a delegation of Primordials are guiding and assisting. This could give the Zhodani a reason to be part of the Humaniti Fleet. The Zhos want some payback.

nautiloid - according to Merriam Webster this refers to ancient shell fish, of which the nautilus is a surviving member.

Can we all say raw bar and chowder anyone?

 

[Elliot]

His honour Lord Dave Nilsen killed the Primordials i'm afraid! They were Joe Fugate's baby and DN was a jealous god, so when JF lost in the struggle over Traveller war to DN (praise be his name) the poor little primordials were melted cheese! (for the words of the prophet see the TNE Regency Sourcebook)

The empress wave is a psionic phenomenon coming from the core totally unconnected with the Primordials. It has never been really explained convincingly but i'm sure MJD will have a crack at it one day!!!

(I think the Primordials a la MTJ4 was a much better idea!)

 

[MJD]

I know exactly what the Wave is, what it does, and why it matters. But don't ask right now. It's one of the last mysteries of the New Era.

 

[matrix cypher]

darn.... i hope its not too long... ive been waiting many years to find out what it is.

Originally posted by MJD:
I know exactly what the Wave is, what it does, and why it matters. But don't ask right now. It's one of the last mysteries of the New Era.