Broadcast: The Nines Now (Empire of the Nines)

[richard]

"Good evening, fellow Sentients, and welcome to the latest broadcast of 'The Nines Now', your source for all the news in the Empire of the Nines. This is Dash Carter, coming to you live from Skylar Station. With me is my lovely co-anchor, Kara ni Seleni. Our top story today is how a series of seeming coincidences has led to an historic event. Tell us more, Kara."

The scene cuts to a beautiful, golden-skinned Tuathan female with copper-colored hair and gold-flecked, green eyes. She smiles, revealing a set of perfectly even, pearly white teeth.

"Thank you, Dash," she said in a rich, melodic voice. "Nearly a sten ago, the Drakendi of Endelor, in the Ramani System, made a stunning debut in a starship crafted in the form of a great crystal dragon."

The scene shifts to the docking bay at Skylar Station, and centers itself on the breathtakingly beautiful craft. Then, Kara is in the spotlight once more.

"Barely a pentir later, the Daoine of Venedor, Carthis, in the Azerian System blasted into the spotlight with the launch of the Phoenix, their own impressive contribution to space exploration."

Another scene cut, this time focusing on a long, sleek starship that bears a marked resemblance to the mythical flaming bird from which it took its name. A series of solar panels fashioned into a crest shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow.

"Isn't that amazing, folks?" asked Dash as the camera returned to focus upon him. "But, we're not finished yet. Two pentirs later, yet another starship burst onto the scene! An obscure branch of the Mordani, calling themselves the Naqtir, or Night Folk, left Zuros, in the Dalriadan System, to seek their fortune in outer space. Which leads us to today's story. More on that after a word from our sponsors."

First, a pleasant-faced Human female extols the virtues of Age-Away Vanishing Cream. Next is an ad for the 2025 Corvair LXM, the newest luxury cruiser from the friendly folks at Luxar Enterprises. Finally, the newscast resumes.

"Welcome back to 'The Nines Now," Dash Carter was saying. "Kara, why don't you tell our listeners why we're here today?"

"Don't mind if I do, Dash. We're here with exclusive coverage of the first Grand Council in decades. It seems that the Commander of each of these starships was approached by a mysterious being who calls himself Uatu, the Watcher. Representatives from each of the three nations are meeting here today in hopes of forming a Galactic Alliance."

"Sounds exciting," said Dash, taking up the story once more. "There's an entire universe outside of our own little Empire, folks. The next few decades should lead to many intriguing discoveries. Kara and I will continue our coverage of this major event, and keep you posted as the story progresses. I'm Dash Carter..."

"And I'm Kara ni Seleni, signing off for now. We'll be back later with the latest developments on 'The Nines Now'. May the blessings of the Nine be upon you all. Thank you, and good night."

[End Broadcast]

[richard]

"Hello, once again, fellow Sentients! I'm Dash Carter, and this is my lovely co-anchor, Kara ni Seleni. Things are getting hectic here at Skylar Station, and we're here to report on the situation. Close on the heels of the formation of the Galactic Alliance comes an attack by an as yet unidentified fleet. There are unconfirmed rumors that the aggressors are none other than the Al'Ai race of the planet Zuros, in the Dalriadan System. Others speculate that it is a new threat, aimed at the capture of the newly constructed Hyper-Gate that was presented to the Nines by a Watcher known as Uatu. We have been unable to confirm the situation, as Skylar Station is under martial law, and journalists have been ordered to stay in the main lobby."

Sounds of laser fire in the distance, muffled and indistinct. The scene quakes and rocks, causing the camera to lose power momentarily. Then, the picture clears once more. showing a worried-looking Kara ni Seleni.

"Sounds like the battle's coming closer, folks," she said in a frazzled tone of voice. "We'd better find cover somewhere, before..."

Suddenly, one of the lobby's viewports explodes inward, showering the occupants with fragments of glass and wire. A loud hiss can be heard as air begins to escape into space. Then, a blast shield slams into place, blocking off the viewport once more. The hiss of escaping air stops.

"All civilians please evacuate to the emergency shelter," came a voice over the intercom. "It's too dangerous for unauthorized personnel to remain elsewhere in the Station. Repeat, all civilians please evacuate to the emergency shelter. Skylar Station is at Code Red."

"This is Kara ni Seleni, signing off for now. Dash and I will bring you an update of the situation as soon as it is available. May the blessings of the Nine be upon you all. Thank you, and good night."

[End broadcast]