Sigma

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

@Raylah@Tortoise@Irredeemable
Near the Gateway and Sentinel Base
Ambassadorial Flotilla
A full day has passed since the gate reopened, the chancellor and many others working tirelessly to assemble teams and ships to cross over the. Already one had passed through, and reports have come in that Columbia is already receiving its own batch of visitors, what an exiting event!

A small flotilla of warships were cruising towards both Sentinel Base and the Gateway. The "flagship" so to speak, was the CSS Alamo, a Defiance-class Battle Carrier, probably not must appropriate ship for the earth expedition, but one can never be too careful, and the chancellor himself was aboard the vessel, so the extra measures were necessary. The Alamo was escorted by two Resilient-class frigates, the Rubicon, and Mississippi, both of which were tasked to cross over the gate and discover their own worlds to contact.

The both the chancellor and his wife were found relaxing in his private quarters, couldn't help by hypnotically stare at the gateway, he felt like a child again, having that old scene of wonder and mystery. "This makes up for that little interruption." Alice said softly. Kissing Julian on the cheek. Julian certainly felt guilty not canceling prior plans for a proper outing, so, despite all the risks involved, he decided to take Alice along on a trip to Earth, a hell of a trade off for sure. "Just wish the kids could've joined us." Julian said. "This is downright historical."

"Well, they have their own responsibilities and families to take care of." Alice said. "But I kinda like it, just the two of us, on a dream cruise to Earth." Both chuckled as they embraced one another. Before thing could get too intimate, the ship intercom blared to life. "All crew brace, Gate travel will commence momentarily." The captain announced. Within moments the window blast shields rolled down.

"Guess that will have to wait." Alice said with a cheeky smile.

"Well, duty calls." Julian said, although he barely had time to get up as the ship, within mere moments was flung halfway across the galaxy, and the chancellor certainly felt it. "Holy shit." He blurted out. "I was not prepared for that.." Julian was losing his balance a bit, but eventually picked himself up.

"And here I thought it would be a nice long cruise." Alice said as she stretched her arms and slowly got up. "Takes the fun out of trav-" Alice was cut off as she took a good look at the outside view, the blast doors rolling back up to reveal a heartbreaking sight. She remained quiet for a good while.

"What's wrong?" Julian said as he turned to see, and was left speechless. Earth, the blue planet that was depicted in old pieces of art, in various media back home, and from tales passed down from generation after generation. It was...dead, a world covered in gray and muck, no life to be seen. "Oh no.." Julian uttered to himself. Small droplets of tears running down his cheek. The two embraced one another as they took solace in such a grim sight. The mournful silence was broken as the door behind them slide open, the Captain of the Alamo, a member of the Janari species, stepped in, his enhanced mind quickly took notice of the chancellor and his wife's body langrage. "I'm sorry, sir." The captain said. "It must hard to lose your ancestral home."

"Earth was something special to our people, almost a mystical, sacred land to return to when the time was right.." The chancellor. "Columbia has always been my true home, but to see the world of my forefathers reduced to this? To ashes? Its heart-breaking.." Julian shook his head, this isn't the end of mankind, we all managed to survive across dozens of worlds all over the galaxy, we not only survived, we thrived like never before. "Bah, enough of the past. You didn't come to hear my sulk."

"Ah, right." The captain almost forgot. "You'll be intrigue to know that we report a few vessels in earth orbit, sir."

"Ah, good, good." Julian said. "Something to take my mind off of Earth. We have our fellow brothers and sisters to greet! Contact them."

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

@Crusader Lord@Ekreture
Sentinel Base
In proximity of the Gateway

Another hour has passed since the Overwatch first entered the gate. Station Commander Dennis Grant, sat in his office, looking out into space, amusing himself with the continuous light show provided by the gate, never before in his life had he seen such a thing up close. Although deep down, he has his fears of what the gate may unleash upon Columbia. Would the Yulzan return through such a anomaly? Or something far worse? Even if we find our fellow man, will he be any better than the Yulzan? Or will he be welcoming us to the greater galaxy? Only time will tell. In the background, he had left the radio on for some music, although that had long been interrupted as news spreads of the Gateway reopening, it's been all that's been talked about these past few hours, hearing bits and pieces of the chancellor's announcement.

"My fellow Columbians! I bring you great news! The gateway that has long been closed, has finally reopened!" The speech was cut off as the news anchor spoke. "The Chancellor, in a following statement has made it clear he will lead a personal expedition to discover Earth's fate."

As the transmission cut off, commander grant took notice at the gate, it started acting...strange. Without much warning, a small probe-like device popped out from the other side of the gate, followed by an alien vessel, clearly not Yulzan in design, thank god. Within an instant grant heard the doors slide open as chief of security, Grei Kazon, An Urkani, stepped in. "Sorry to intercept, Commander." Kazon said. "But I thought it would be best to inform personally that-"

"Don't worry, I already know." Grant interrupted kazon. "Sorry to spoil the surprise."

"Makes things easier." Kazon said. "Anyway, what do we do, sir?"

Grant made a wide smile. "What else? Invite our new guests aboard." He turned back to face the gateway, watching the alien vessel currently on approach to the station. "What about the object?"

Kazon pulled out a small notepad as he tinkered with it. "Apparently, a small message probe. Keeps sending a looped message of the promise of diplomacy, and the threat of war."

"My kind of people." Grant noted. "Bet they would've sent the Yulzan packing."

"Of course, sir." Kazon said. "I'll forward the probe's message to High Command, let them decided on the next course of action."

"Good, good, and while you're at it, have a fighter wing up to escort our new visitors. I look forward to see what they have to say."

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

@Tortoise

Edge of Columbian Space
In proximity of the Gateway
Vaillant Cruiser, CSS Overwatch
Despite the gate opening a few hours ago, Captain Hans Grayson couldn't help but looked in sheer awe of the anomaly right before his eyes, illuminating the darkness of space with its

bright light, the bridge crew joined in as they starred hypnotically at the gate. "Holy shit, still feels unreal." Captain Grayson spoke.
"Couldn't agree more, Hans..er, captain." Grayson's XO, and younger brother Rean, spoke.” Just wish dad was here to see this, wow.” While the two, and the rest of the staff stare, A small holographic figure materializes to Hans' right, the appearance of a woman dressed in what seems to a simple white suit, the ship's onboard A.I., Ava. "Captain, I've checked on all ship systems, and we're ready to depart on your ready, sir." Captain Grayson and his crew were among the lucky few to cross over the gate, a once in the lifetime event, to be the first to venture out in the greater galaxy and finding some trace of humanity beyond this one world.

"Good, good." Hans made a last minute
inspection of the bridge. “I know how eager all of you are, so let’s skip the bullshit.” Hans said. He looked to his left, pressing down a button for the intercom. “All crew to stations! Prepare for departure.” He ordered. “Helm, set a course for the gate.” He followed up with that order.

“Aye aye, Captain.” The Helms Officer replied, the ship tremoring to life as the engines roared. The Overwatch, the first Columbian vessel to venture outside of Columbia, outside their home system to parts unknown. The ship was soon engulfed by the gate, a chorus of lights and colors enveloping the bridge. Within an instant, a mini starmap had manifested before the captain, the map filled to the bring with bright little dots. “This is for real…” Hans mumbled to himself, at sheer disbelief, he scanned through all the names, what stood out to him, was a world titled “New Hollywood”.

“That might be a good starting point.” Hans said. Pressing down on the dot. Within an instant, the ship was hurled out towards a brand new world.

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

@MetalWeight Found pics you might like.
cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/i…
cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/i…
cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/i…
static.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40…
static.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40…
static.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40…

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

We'll wait on your hopeful return :)

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

We got the complete set now ya'll :P

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

Columbia
Capital City of Argus
Argus, the largest city on Columbia and the Seat of Power for all of the United Republic, a sprawling Metropolis stretching for miles on end, the various lights of the night and celebrations that sprang the city to life added to its immense beauty, for today was a special day for the citizens of the Republic.

Today marked the 20th Anniversary of the end of the Yulzan War, a conflict that saw millions dead, leaving Columbia in complete ruin. A war fought to the bitter end as the Yulzan invaders were sent fleeing into the darkness, leaving many of their own behind, at the mercy of their victims. Some continued the fight, others gave in, many not truly believing in the cause, and saw a chance at freedom.

The time was nearly upon them, time for the Chancellor to make his speech as millions gathered around the Largest Holographic Projectors, others waiting at home to watch the broadcast, and thousands more gathering around the Argus Sports Stadium where he'd make the speech.

---

Chancellor Constantine inspected his reflection in the mirror, making final touches to his blue suit, becoming quite nervous, the thought of addressing to millions across the planet and above had always gave him a bad case of the butterflies. He turned to face an woman a few years young then him, in a fine white dress, his wife, Alice. "So...How do I look?" He asked her nervously. "Honey, you're just fine." Alice replied. "Addressing live to over a billion people can do that to you." she cracked a joke to him, followed by a chuckle from Julian.

"Relax, you'll do fine!" She embraced him. "Just a small speech, and you're done, and not a moment too soon, I'm starving!" She half-joked, although in truth, she was eager to get on with dinner already. Alice had moved on ahead of her husband, meeting with their children, grandchildren and other VIPs waiting at the stadium's field.

"Hehe, yeah...just a minute or two and that romantic dinner can be my reward." Julian smiled as he walked down the great hall leading up to the stadium field, pausing for a brief moment as he took a deep breath before stepping out onto the field and was greeted by thousands cheering citizens and blinding lights, a small cadre of republican guards standing at attention on both his flanks as they escorted him to the center, there stood a platform, where members of his cabinet sat, and next to them were his family. Julian walked up the short stairs leading up the platform, soon taking center stage as he approached the edge, one of the guards handing him a microphone.

He grabbed a hold of the mic, tapping on it several times as camera drones begun swarming around the platform, hovering around them as they record. Breathing deeply once more, Julian begun his brief speech.

"My fellow citizens, today is a day of both joy, and of grieving. Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the end of the War. For fifteen years we stood strong, even against a foe that sought our total submission and annihilation, for fifteen years even as were pushed by defeat after defeat, we held strong. Our military would not give in, and was all that stood between life and death." He paused for a moment, and continued.

"Some of those brave souls may be among you now, look to them in admiration and respect, for they fought for your very freedoms.....your right to live, and we must not also forget the countless sacrifices our Ukrani brothers paid in securing their own freedoms against the Yulzan.

"Despite the bloody aftermath...we sought to rebuild, and extended a hand of friendship to our former enemies, those that had no choice in the war, those that wanted a taste of freedom. Although relations between our people and the former slaves of the Yulzan are strained, I hope that one day we can leave this conflict behind us once and for all, and build a better future together." With that, He finished as the crowds cheered on, his waving at the people as julian made his exist, the others soon following him, and so the festivities began all over the globe and in orbit.

---

The chancellor and his family were met with cheering crowds as they made their way towards a pair of limousines. As they made their way to the limos, a loud roar drowned out the noise as a razorwing dropship made a slow descent in proximity of the chancellor, a lone military officer stepped out from the back as he rushed towards the chancellor. "Chancellor Constantine, sir, I apologize for this interruption, but..you're needed at the Anvil. We'll explain later."

The Chancellor was visibly annoyed with this. "Can this wait after?" He asked. The officer shook his head. "I'm sorry sir, this is a very urgent matter." Julian let out an audible sigh of frustration, but matters of state come first regardless of prior plans. "Very well, let's go." Julian turned to his wife. "It's alright dear, you have work to do." She said with a caring smile. Julian smiled back. "How lucky of a guy I am, am I right? I'll see you later." Both embraced one another, followed by a soft kiss on the lips. The chancellor followed the officer to the dropship as it rose quickly, creating gust of wind as it departed.

---

Anvil Base
Headquarters of URC Armed Forces

An hour had passed since the Chancellor had arrived, waiting patiently in the central command center. The Command center was ablaze with life as staff and personnel ran about, carrying on their assigned tasks, a chorus of incoherent voices talking back and forth. All fell silent as the command staff entered the room. A group of generals and admirals, all led by High Admiral Gaius Bradley, all saluting the chancellor. "Admiral Bradley." Julian spoke. "I do hope you had a reason for interruption my family time."

"I can't be sorry enough, sir, but this truly is urgent."

"Don't keep me in suspense, what's going on?....Have the Yulzan returned?"

"Fortunately for us, sir, no."

"Thank God."

"However..something else has come up." Admiral Bradley said. "Sir, the gateway has reopened." Julian shook his head in bewilderment, and had to have moment to process what he just heard. "Come again?"

"The gateway has reopened. Sentinel base detected it a few hours ago."

"Jesus Christ..." Julian muttered to himself, catching himself as he dropped on a nearby chair. "After centuries..it's open. This is both fantastic and terrifying. The colonies, our brothers and sister, Earth!"

"We know, sir."

"We have to act now!"

"Already ahead of you, sir." Bradley said. "Sentinel Base has a ship in dock, they will soon cross over the gate."

"Good, good...once I return to the capital, I need to address the people, they need to hear this. We're not all that's left of humanity in the cosmos."

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

URC

United Republic of Columbia

Government Form: Federal Republic

Demographics:
Columbians

Humans

The majority population of Columbia and Horizon. Unlike most colonies, the humans of Columbia have remained for the most part, pure of any drastic, species-altering genetic or cybernetic modifications.

Urkani

A vaguely reptilian humanoid species native to Columbia, or Urkanus as they've called it on occasion. Before the Colony ship Columbus arrived, the Urkani were on a similar technology level to the late Medieval Earth, and like Earth, were a complicated sort that had various nations that competed for resources and land. Once the human colonists landed, that all changed. Some Urkani states tolerated the presence of human colonial settlement close or within their borders, others however, were not so welcoming. For well over two centuries, the human colonists and Urkani were in a constant struggle, many fighting long protracted guerilla wars, some joining the Humans in cooperation.

Their relationship would change once the Yulzan Empire invaded. The Ukrani now forced to pick sides in a interplanetary war of great proportions. Urkani would find themselves on both sides of the conflict, and after the war, mass reconstruction was in order. Fifteen years of fighting side by side with humanity and the Yulzan subjects had led to a bond of comradery between the three groups. the Urkani that fought alongside the URC, had finally put aside generations of hatred to lead the way to a new era of cooperation.

Yulzan Refugees

Dhulrak

Liberated Dhulrak in human attire
A large, bulky, amphibian species, the Dhalrak served as heavy shock troops for the Yulzan Empire during the war. Visually, from a distance, it is quite difficult to distinguish between a male and female Dhulrak, the only discerning features being voice and body build. The Dhulrak Clans had proven a challenging spoil for the Yulzan to conquer, even afterwards, many still resisted their control, while others simply gave in. Now abandoned, yet freed from their former masters, many Dhulrak of Columbia work hard to gain the trust of their new neighbors, and soon to be, their brothers in arms.

Aldzir

Aldzier in service of the Yulzan Empire during the war
Vaguely insectoid in nature, the Aldzir were the life and blood of the Yulzan Armies, serving as foot soldiers for their old masters. Like with the Dhulrak, male and female Aldzir are very hard to distinguish, females having a slightly thinner build than a male. The Aldzir were the first to fall to the Yulzan, serving as their frontline warriors for centuries.

Janari

Roonak


Narik
A mammalian species of tall humanoids, the Janari are a race of heightened intelligence compared to humanS. Two sub-species make up the Janari as a whole, the Narik-Janari, and the Roonak-Janari. The Narik hail from the arid, desert regions of their homeworld, their skin having a dry, craggily feel and appearance to them, along with triangular horns protruding from their foreheads. The Roonak were quite the opposite, their skin as smooth as a babe, lacking any horns, and hailed from more temperate, continental regions of their planet.

The unique minds, and frail bodies of the Janari had led to their eventual conquest by the Yulzan Empire, making use of their talents and disabilities, acting as Civil Administrators, Field Commanders, and spiritual leaders.

Other Aliens of Americana

Vrunnoth

Ossani

Population: 1.9 Billion

Planet Name and Description: Columbia is an Earth-like world dominated by vast oceans. Thousands of islands both big and small dot its surface and as well hosting several medium-sized continents. Over two centuries after their arrival, the colonists of Columbia had managed to colonize the Columbia's moon of Horizon, an arid, dry, but breathable moon, not unlike Mars of Sol.

Columbia

History: The initial colonization was a rough process, many losing their lives in the crash that followed. Once the dust settled, proper colonization had begun. Despite Columbia’s near perfect conditions, the planet hid its own share of peril as the settlers had to contend with dangerous new forms of alien fauna, and the native Urkani, who did not take the presence of the colonists too well. Over the coming decades the colonists would undergo periods of civil unrest and division as new settlements dotted the landscape, while contending with Urkani raiders.

By the year 100 AC, tensions escalated as power blocs formed among the numerous colonial settlements, two of the most prominent and historically significant of which were the Southern Alliance, the URC's precursor and its rival and instigator of events to come, the Northern Colonial Coalition. The Unification War was declared and for over a decade, the two blocs would fight tooth and nail, the prize being complete domination of Columbia. In the end, the Alliance would prove victorious, the NCCs defeat would signal both the end of the division and the rise of the United Republic of Columbia.

The next century would mark a new age of space exploration as mankind would seek the stars once more. This era would lead to the colonization of Horizon, Columbia's moon, and the establishment of orbital infrastructure.

By the year 265 A.C., Columbia would face its greatest threat. An elusive alien empire from the far reaches of known space, the Yulzan, had sent a massive invasion armada to conquer what they believed to be an vastly underdeveloped system, regardless of any miscalculations, the invasion proceeded as scheduled. For fifteen years, the URC struggled against the Yulzan warmachine, battle and battle lost in the early years. Miraculously, however, the URC would emerge victorious in the end, sending the Yulzan back into the dark void of space.

While the war was won, Columbia herself was scarred, and battered, the war leaving its marks. countless numbers of slave soldiers of the Yulzan were left stranded on a hostile alien world, many fought to the bitter end, most however, surrendered themselves to the URC, helping rebuild the world they helped broke in exchange for citizenship, to be free for the first time in forever.

Twenty years passed since the war's end, the URC has mostly recovered in the aftermath, but many scars still linger deep down. A military outpost was built at the far reaches of Columbia's Orbit, it's main and only purpose was to monitor space beyond their borders, watching every vigilantly in case the Yulzan were ever to return.

Culture and Society: The People of Columbia are a diverse, traditional, and liberty-mind sort of people, importing old beliefs and traditions from Old Earth, and adapting and reshaping it on their new home, intergrading values and traditions of their xeno compatriots. They are an industrious, adventurous people who all seek a better tomorrow in their own respective image. While not inherently warlike, the people of Columbia are no stranger to war, and are always on the defensive, from the lowly citizens, to the most well-trained of soldiers.

---

Governance and Politics:
The Columbian Government is split between Three Branches, the Executive Branch, that being the Office of the URC Chancellor who is both the Head of the Senate and the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic Armed Forces. One of the many tasks of a Chancellor consist of the creation of Laws, the signing of articles of diplomatic importance such as treaties, to appoint judges for the Interstellar Court and so on.

The Legislative Branch, that of which being the Senate. The Senate's main tasks consist of the passing of laws brought forward by the Chancellor, passing or vetoing Legislation by the Chancellor, and are to give consent to enact a Declaration of War. And finally, there is the Interplanetary Court, who are responsible for the enforcement of the Laws created by the Chancellor and passed then enacted by the Senate. IC Judges are appointed by the Chancellor.

Technology Overview: Columbian technological progress had hit certain bumps during the initial colonization of the planet, Columbian technology reaching to an old earth level, if lagging behind in certain aspects. The war against the Yulzan and the years after have led to some interesting innovations. Among the first were the Combat Frames, humanoid war machines developed to counter Yulzan mechs, followed by improved medical technologies, directed energy weapons, and anti-gravity vehicles, most of which is still in the development stages as the present.

Military Overview: Only twice in the three hundred year history of the colony has the Columbian Military had to go through radical reforms to meet the demands of the time, first was the Unification War, and last was the more recent Yulzan War. The Military had went from a glorified security force, to a fully-fledged militarized warmachine. The years following the Yulzan War saw some reduction and downsizing in military capacity. While a large military was no longer needed in peacetime, a standing military nonetheless, was needed, especially with ever present fear of a Yulzan return hanging over their heads.

Infantry

Army Regulars

Standard Combat Gear


Medium Combat Gear

Provincial Militia

Marines

Standard Combat Armor


Light Powered Armor


Heavy Powered Armor


Spec-Ops Armor

Republican Guard

Columbian Rangers

Vehicles

Strider-series Utility Vehicle


Sand Drake Main Battle Tank


Behemoth Heavy Battle Tank


Gnarshell Infantry Fighting Vehicle


Pangolin Armored Personnel Carrier


Watchmen Automated Attack Walker


Cargo Transport


Slingshot Mobile Artillery


Spikeback Anti-Air Vehicle


Guardian-series Combat Frame


Albatross Vehicle Transport


Razorwing-series Dropships

Standard Model


Gunship Model


Hybrid Stealth Model

Glade Glider-series VTOL

Starships

Capital Ships
Defiance-class Battle Carrier


Endurance-class Heavy Cruiser


Vaillant-class Cruiser


Liberty-class Carrier


Screen Ships
Resolute-class Destroyer


Resilient-class Frigate


Outrider-class Corvette


Strike Craft and Auxiliary Craft
Starhawk-class Space Superiority Fighter


Hornet-class Interceptor


Wildcat-class Fighter-Bomber


Thunderstrike-class Bomber


Firestorm-class Strategic Bomber


Mercy-class Mobile Medical Ship


Jack-class Multi-purpose Shuttlecraft

---

Additional Info:

Characters

Chancellor Julian Constantine

General James Faros

Admiral Gaius Bradley

[+]

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

@Tortoise Regarding the Aldzir, it was more a general type of thing, like for most insect species, you expect them to be hive-minded. But I can fix that. And of course, since the military extras were extra, I just focused on the important bits before filling out the hiders. Now I can do the fun part and add a ton of neat pictures and small bits of lore :D

Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] [Soon to be Concluded]

Yeah, looking forward to see how things go between our factions :D