Private Usurper By Petition

[Katherin DuPorcelen]

Tag: Queen A.I.
Faction Affiliation: Eternal Empire
Location: Aboard the Requim Heavy Command Carrier in orbit of Lotho Minor
Objective: Get Acquainted with the new flagship, and compile notes on the Baron's "work" so far

Katherin had been anticipating this for a while now. This new ship is to be her new flagship. Her old Callides Heavy Carrier, the ENS Krieg, was reliable, but was to be redeployed elsewhere in the empire. Meanwhile, this still experimental ship was sent her way. The previous commander had a change in their mission, or at least that was what she was told about it, and the new ship was to be sent to her to operate and command. The admiral and CEO did not think much of the previous commander due to a lack of relations, however she knew that wherever he had gone that he was still serving the empire as he did previously.

She made her last goodbyes to the ENS Krieg as she went to the shuttle for the transit over to the Requim. Her chain of command staying with her had already transited and the crew is getting set up with the new stations and technology at use. It was certainly a different kind of ship from what she was told about and what she read on the model. It was one of a kind for starters, which intrigued her greatly. However, what stuck out to her the most was the AI network that administered the ship's systems. Katherin did not quite know how to think of that. The more traditional ships in the Eternal Navy were far more human operated, and AI adminstration to such a magnitude was nearly unheard of to most imperial officers. Technology fascinated her, and she saw the future of working with this AI as an experiment for herself. A means to better herself as a commander, and a challenge to overcome by introducing something new to her. She will succeed if it was the last thing she would do.

The new ship was very large, and impressive. A different look to other ships in the Eternal Navy, but the uniqueness was fitting for someone like Katherin. She saw herself as rather unique as well. She remained silent though. Most of the talking was the standard procedure for boarding that the pilot staff on the shuttle did on the regular. She had no need to speak for now. As per usual, the shuttle did a fly-around the new ship to give the Rear Admiral a look from the outside of her new vessel. Following that, it docked in one of the hangar bays. It was then she first set foot on her new command base.

Her, and the soldiers escorting her, made their way to the bridge where the got a look to where she would be spending most of her time. It was certainly impressive, and it seemed the soldiers posted there have learned the technology enough to get an idea on how the systems are to be operated as required by the human element of running this vessel. Her violet eyes scanned each person at the consuls, and her assumption was confirmed true. It was from the viewing area of the bridge, through the glassteel windows, that she saw the junkyard world below her. Large incinerators burning heeps of scrap appeared like volcanos at orbit, and the one city secured by the empire seemed to blend in with the wasteland that made up the majority of the world's landscape. Many in the empire saw this world as a waste of an effort to hold, yet Katherin saw potential. The metal could certainy prove useful to source as a means to manufacture more materials for the empire, and it's position in the frontier means it could be a link of trade in the empire's Southern expanses. It also was insiginificant enough to be ignored, which means she could seek refuge during invasions here for sure.

After viewing the bridge, Rear-Admiral Katherin DuPorcelen was shown her new quarters and office. It was not too far from the bridge, but in the ship enough to be safe from most strikes on the bridge. It was spacous, and seemed to have enough amenaties where she would not have to go to the areas of the ship, aside from the bridge, for her daily routines. Her items from her previous office and quarters aboard the Krieg were already here and ready for her to put in their right places. Smart of them to not unpack for her, she was glad the porters followed that order. As she began unpacking a few of her trophies, awards, and personal items, she wondered what of this AI. She knew it was independent enough to form its own personality. She was curious if she had to summon it, or if it will eventually contact her. She figured to wait while unpacking her clothes and a few cartridges for her respirator she reguarly was issued by the medical branch of the Eternal Navy, and see if the AI will reach out on its own.

 

[Queen A.I.]

Tag: Katherin DuPorcelen
Objective: Become acquainted with the new Commander

The artificial intelligence aboard the Requiem was certainly something to behold. Those integrating themselves into the system for security measures would find it capturing facial prints throughout the ship. As well as taking baseline biological readings and even going so far as to make new protocols for replacement of crew based on what it observed.

All preliminary due to lack of stress conditions and performance reviews that it would run in the background.

The outside systems watched the last vessel to come aboard. The replacement for the man that had thrown the ship into its final combat action under his command. The crew before had been of another group. Ones cast aside with the shift in galactic policies and ultimately their own undoing.

Something she had processed through the late commanders ruminations. The Fleet Admiral had been a sentimental type as the artificial intelligence had deduced. Often remarking of old battles and staring at the long list of names that he had kept about his office.

Things that had been cast aside after his trial and execution. Both only shows for those that found offense with his actions against a species that enslaved and ripped the souls from those they captured to power their engines of war.

An assurance to bring them to the negotiation table to ensure their cooperation.

Cosmetic changes through surgery and falsified documentation had allowed the former to exist anew in the Empire. Once Dimitri, now Dasmi. The changes had been alarmingly easy for Star to see through. Then again with biological data and previous interactions, the changes were little more than nuisances to filter through.

This new commander was inserting themselves into the cabin, Star watching silently through her own means before deciding when and where to show herself.

A small console along the wall glowed. Coming to life as the artificial intelligence decided to make contact for the first time. The console served little more purpose than to allow the occupant an alert to the incoming presence.

Cascading stardust and twinkling lights filled the doorway. A corporeal form appearing there in the mist in a manner not so dissimilar to a planetary body forming. A small nova burst outward and collected itself, beginning the process of building the artificial body.

Eyes formed, filled with the void of space as distant stars shown in the space rather than forming true eyes. Inhuman and watching as more of its form filtered into existence. A thin body of light shaping itself in the AIs own design. Clothing blinked into existence fitting a being that promised wisdom beyond their years as hair appeared and flowed.

A soft glow of violet tinted ebony swirled in loose strands about the constructed bodies shoulders. The pale ghostly white projected skin shone on sharp, predatory features. Mouth set in a way that conveyed a mix of apprehension and inquisitive interest.

"Welcome aboard The Requiem, Katherin DuPorcelen. These quarters should be sufficient for there designed purpose." The artificial body gave a barely there nod, eyes shutting long enough to signal the modicum of respect for the incoming commander.

"I am the Starry Eyed Queen, though Star is far easier. I am third to the line of sister systems, and am able to directly connect and direct any ships equipped with the simpler Queen Artificial Intelligence systems. Any, equipped with the system." She informed Katherin with a touch of glee to her manufactured tone.

The ability to reach out with those ships equipped with simpler AI's of the same system was a boon and bane in equal measure. Niki Priddy's artificial children tied to a particular ship had no issue instigating one another at times.

Star being chief among the three with enough temper for such a feat.

"What are your thoughts on this vessel at a glance, if I might ask?" An open ended question as Star folded her hands before her, face betraying none of the curiosity the system had about the new commander.

 

[Katherin DuPorcelen]

Tag: Queen A.I.
Location: Admiral's Quarters aboard the Requim in orbit of Lotho Minor

Most of her things were unpacked by the point the lights started appearing. Only a few more sets of her civilian ensemble were left. It seemed the AI was independent enough to appear on its own, and that fascinated the Rear Admiral.
"Thank you, Star. These quarters are definitely sufficient."
Her voice was clear, with a hint of revierberance from the respirator. Her Kalidani accent was very noticable, and she spoke in a monatone manner typical of imperial military members and officials.

"I find it intriguing, to put it simply. Certainly a different design from the normal imperial vessels, but definitely capable. The most intrigueing though is how much you administer. AI does not do so much for ships in more conventional imperial craft. A very unique, and impressive model."
A moment's pause as she finished putting the clothes in the quarters' wardrobe.
"You said you can connect with other vessels with the same AI network. What other vessels are there that have the system equipped?"

The Rear Admiral's violet eyes made conatact with formation the AI made near the doorway. It was a gaze with inquisitive intent. As she closed the wardrobe, she stood in her uniform with nigh-perfect posture. Her cover was off, leaving her white-streaked hair plainly visible with it tied back into a bun, as per usual with her uniformed look. The hand of her prosthetic arm showed plainly too, with it looking almost skelatal with its white color with violet vessels running the systems for its movement to mimic muscles. Her left hand was covered with a glove.

 

[Queen A.I.]

The smallest hint of a smile appeared at the mention of the quarters being sufficient. Taking the annunciation and tonal qualities into her registry for future references during moments of duress and combat scenarios. A baseline would provide Star with sufficient data to better predict courses of action the new commander would take them down.

It also helped with detecting those who would attempt to disguise themselves as the commander.

The mention of administrative capabilities brought a soft nod to the words, a sly smile appearing as she pondered her own retort to the observation.

"Our creator, either out of foresight or frustrations with human error, allowed the more assertive systems to meld with the ships during production. A unison of construction and system intelligence to give those aboard some measure of security with regards to non-allowance measures. I am not an addition to this hull. I am the ship." Star spoke before presenting a projected screen from her hand.

"The passageways of this vessel are arranged in a maze pattern to aid in repelling boarding parties. While potentially frustrating without proper knowledge such as during a reassignment as we are under now, my presence allows for a permanent and reliable point of reference. As well, I am able to directly monitor most every system aboard the vessel to allow for alacrity when dealing with potential threats to the integrity of vessel and crew." There was an unspoken caveat in her tone, along with the order in which she presented the priority of safety.

The Projection switched now to the models well known to the Eternal Navy, the CR90 MK VIII Assualt Corvette, Coda Assualt Frigate MK I, Disruptor MK III Class Corvette, DP20 MK VI Siege Corvette.

"All of these vessels are equipped with a standardized iteration of the Queen Artificial Intelligence systems. Not nearly as capable as myself, or my sister, they serve baser administrative functions. Assisting with coordination, continuity between the fleet arrangement and firing line, maintenance call outs. So on and so forth with little predictive capabilities or ability to project themselves beyond their dedicated command stations." There might have been a hint of self praise in the AI's speech pattern as she moved forward on the topic.

"Myself and another, Night Queen, serve the Eternal Navy. There exist two others though I have not had the...pleasure of coming across them as of yet. They are designated Red and Gray. Red being the first of the Queen's in production, though she and Gray have been allocated to private owners rather than any military registry. A waste of their talents I've no doubt." Star remarked with a frown. "Night Queen is registered to one, Asaaj En Kelsani . A notable member of the Eternal Navy if what I am able to access is anything to go by."

The AI's gaze seemed more distant than before, present in form but floating through the system connection to databanks for mission relevant information.

 

[Katherin DuPorcelen]

Tag: Queen A.I.
Location: Admiral's Quarters aboard Requiem in orbit of Lotho Minor

Katherin listened intently, as the information was crucial to be understood, as far as she saw it. A note on the human error was interesting. Indeed, it was the cause of much disastors in the void. How an AI would reduce that was surprisingly not thought of much by the other powers, including the empire, as much as it was a simple solution. However, depending on the network, would probably cause more if not other problems.

"I did notice the layout is as uncoventional as this ship comes. With that being the reason behind it, that definitely is peace of mind knowing the architecture of this ship is against the enemy. How much could it comprimise counter efforts to boarding parties while the troops are still getting used to the ship? These men and women are more used to the conventional imperial design rather than this. Would you guide them, as what you mean as a 'point of reference, or are they to just figure it out over time?'"

She listened regarding the other ships with the network. Essentially all of the ships produced by the same company. Convienient enough with a few of those models in her fleet regularly.
"Where do those private owners reside in the galaxy currently? Are they with rivals of the empire, allies, or just spacers away from the grand-scheme of galactic politics?
She then paused to remember information on Asaaj. She had not worked with that one much, but her accomplishments and calculated tactics are certainly noteworthy. One of the others Katherin might want to meet possibly if her postings changed to more foreign fronts rather than securing the frontier where the breif rise and fall of the latest itoration of the First Order had taken place.
"Notable indeed. Certainly has done much in the more attention gaining fronts than the imperial frontier."

Her mind went back to her job here at this junkyard world. How she has been doing the Baron's work for him as he has been gone in the wastelands unaccounted for. This theatre of conflict may not be as glamorous or attention gaining as the wars alongside the Ashlan Crusade, against the Bryn'adul, against the Sith, against the Alliance, or just the campaigns of system-by-system expansion. However, it was this forgotten part of the empire where order has yet to be established due to near-neglect by the Barons of the capital worlds or the military on more expansion compaigns or foreign wars, that is just as crucial to secure. The first step was Lotho Minor, then she would expand through her company. However, she did not have much authority to do more on the planet.
"Star, you know where we are currently, correct? The mission we face on this world, and the nature of the local politics?
The admiral's gaze was straight at the depicted face of the AI while waiting for the response. Her violate eyes taking every detail in their view into account with a sort of piercing look. The pleasantries were done for the moment. Admiral DuPorcelen's mind has gone to the mission at hand, and seeing what this AI would make of it.

 

[Queen A.I.]

Star cocked a brow at Katherin for the question of the organics attempting to counter boarding efforts. It seemed as though she had not been clear enough with her explanation on the matter.

"The organics aboard are qualified and trained in military tactics and cohesive response efforts from what little time I have been able to observe. Aside from my presence being able to correlate their relative position, those in the security deck have access to the schematic layout of the ship. Alongside myself, the security team will be able to guide the members of the crew along the corridors as needed." She waved a hand, letting it fall to waist height before projecting what seemed like an ant hive. "The former crew were able to master the layout within a few months through their own, if unconventional way of identification of the pathways. I expect this crew to be capable of much the same."

The pathways were slowly highlighted. All of them from an external point as the color slowly filled the paths leading to what many assumed was the core of the ship.

"Main entry points for aggressive boarding parties are these shown. Most of them are to cross internal defense systems, or at the very least to encounter choke points and kill boxes within the winding corridors. This ship is a hazard to anyone outside attempting to enter without permission." The smile she gave the commander promising just that.

She pondered on the next question, accessing the private network before being stonewalled by levels of access.

"Other than Night Queen, the others are away from political groups, most likely wealthy parties spending frivolously on an advanced system, and have opted to remain out of the general database of the Queen system. I believe I would be able to identify, and track them should we encounter these parties. Gray was formerly of the Eternal Empire, though the captain was listed as one, Sasmay Cull and listed as a corsair under our listing. It seems the ship however has dissapeared." The information shared, she backed away from the internal database to assess the situation around them.

"We are in orbit around the planet Lotho Minor, home to a questionable allegiance with which you are collecting information on past, current, and planned transgressions to assimilate the planet into proper Eternal Empire control. Aside from being a source of raw material, even with that source needing to be broken down, recycled, and recast. It would still be a valuable asset for the Empire to have." The AI spoke quickly and to the point. "Is there anything further beyond those points of interest that I need to be informed of?"

 

[Katherin DuPorcelen]

Tag: Queen A.I.
Location: Admiral's Quarters aboard Requiem in orbit of Lotho Minor

With the answer to her first question being said, the Rear Admiral nodded with understanding and approval. Soldiers in the Eternal Empire's military ought to be capable enough at navigation, though a ship as unconventional as this to the Eternal Navy meant that process may take longer than usual as its design was not standardized with other models. However, her thoughts were eased that performance would be low with the non-standard design. She would take note on the few months it would take for the new crew to become aquainted and make sure that does end up being the case.

In response to the presentation, "Very good. Certainly will make use of that design feature."

Then she took note on how the others were.
"Good to see they would not be a threat to operations. If they do in the future, however, be sure to alert me as soon as possible, and do whatever you can to keep whichever would potentially threaten us from accessing the network for the ship. If the enemy attempts to use the other systems against the ship will that be needed though. I give you liberty to enact that when such a threat comes, however report it to me to evaluate either when or afterwards for evaluation of it. Understood?"

The planet was definitley of use to the empire, and Katherin intended to make its useage even greater.
"As far as general knowledge goes, nothing. However, a few more details with our mission here. Officially, we are here to regain security on the ground. With Black Sun collapsing into warring splinter groups, the city on Lotho Minor's surface, now acting as the imperial capital for the world, has been turned into a warzone where the gangsters extort whatever businesses remain, and pirate goods coming on the planet from supply shipments and traders alike. This activity has been a thorn in the side of the empire too long, and we are just on the verge of pulling it."
She paused so the AI could process what she said, as well as to take a breath with her ravaged lungs.
"Before the arrival of the Requiem, and you, a blockade around the planet began to starve the gangsters of pirated supplies, and reduced their will to fight with the dwindling resources. Meanwhile, supply shipments were being delivered between the blockade and the imperial garrison to arm and supply the troops. The gangsters have crawled into safehouses and hideouts around and in the city at this point, and resources are being brought back to civilians with our soldiers' advance. At this point, the forces up here will continue securing goods for the garrisoned forces, and send reinforcements to the ground as needed. However, the Baron of this world was supposed to do that job. There should have been no need for us to come here in the first place as the Baron of this world had command of the garrisoned troops and the authority to stamp this out before it erupted into the chaos that befell the planet in recent time. That is where the unofficial portion of this is to come. I aim to depose this Baron for his failure to do what his office required of him. I then intend to replace him as I have already been doing his job for him, and might as well make it official."
Katherin paused again for the AI to process the information, and catch her breath once more.
"Is that understood? Your analysis on the situation below would be appreciated as well. With the Baron dissapearing into the wastelands, I am in charge of this effort in his absence, and your assistance will be most helpful."