Storyline information for the IAS Confidence

Introduction

A long, long time ago (seven years) in a galaxy far, far away (junior high), I designed my first starship, the Dauphin. She was a Polaris class vessel set in the exact same universe you sea when you watch an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Yes, I was a Trekkie. And being only 14 at the time, I didn't have much interest in original storylines, only to have my own ship and my own self in the Star Trek universe.

But as time went on, and Star Trek got lame in my opinion (I still watch it for the ships, when I can...), being a part of such a limited universe became unappealing. So I decided to move on.

As the official timeline states, a scare in 2408 causes everyone to flock on board the Draconic, a trans-dimensional transport ship I came up with even before I planned this little exodus. With a maximum capacity of 40,000, they zipped out of the Star Trek universe, thinking it was about to be destroyed.

(Psst... don't tell them, but it wasn't actually destroyed. =P)

So, for six months, the Draconic dimension-surfs (a'la Sliders), until they run across a universe where the Sol (Earth) system is uninhabited. Well, I'm practically bursting Uminoko out at this point, so units are sent down to secure Terra while I give birth.

The new universe allows me to come up with 27 distinct species who inhabit it, each of which will be explained in detail shortly. But anyway, one of them, the Akula, has a passive undisputed claim to the Sol system (along with several other systems supposedly), though they remain only on their homeworld elsewhere.

Well, the very instant the Interstellar Alliance (comprised of all those on the Draconic) sets foot on Terra, they declare war on the IA. This war continues to the current day of the Confidence, 2417.

Please keep in mind the timeline doesn't have *everything* on it... so if you want to know the design year of ships or somat, check here. For other tidbits, just email me. ^^

And now, on to the 27 races of the Nautaverse. For pictures of some of these species, take a look at the races page, though only the Alliance races are featured.

Independent Races

1 & 2. Akula/Leiyruntolan

Alliances: Shiba-Inu, Tak
Wars: IA, FUR, AC, R'tori, Rel Kesthz
Neutral: DNS

The Akula (named after the Russian attack submarine class) are most easily described as giant (8-10') praying mantises with razor-sharp limbs and a displeasing demeanor. They are cunning, viscous, and often underestimated for their lack of galactic real estate and for the small size of their ships. Their intelligence is easily in the super-genius range.

The Akula homeworld is a volcanic planet in perpetual night. It is the only planet the Akula reside on, though the indigenous races know of at least 12 other systems the Akula stake a claim to, and will meet any act to colonize or make landfall upon with lethal force.

Their vessels are mostly small swarm-type fighters. Biological, they regenerate insanely fast from damage and damage is rarely cumulative (ie. they must be destroyed in the first hit). They quickly overrun smaller ship's defenses with sheer numbers, but the Akula also have plenty of medium and large cruisers for all-out fire fights and planetary bombardment.

The Akula live in symbiosis with the plant-like species called the Leiyruntolan. Though the exact nature of their exchange is unknown, it is thought that the Leiyruntolan give the Akula their immense physical strength and invulnerability, in exchange for the Akula giving the Leiyruntolan protection, given the latter's sessile nature and subsequent vulnerability to conquest.

The Akula's allies include the Shiba-Inu and the Tak, whom they usurped into a centuries-long war to build up the two races' technology (the sad fact being technology moves forward faster in times of war than in peace). When the Akula calls upon the two former enemies to side with them, they become an immensely powerful trio.

The Akula are slowly but surely winning the fight against the Alliance and their allies, and seems to be intent on wiping more than just the Alliance off the face of the galactic map.

3. R'tori

Alliances: None
Wars: Akula, Shiba-Inu, Tak, IA, FUR, AC, Rel Kesthz
Neutral: DNS

The R'tori are an extremely weak race of anthro birds (Tori means 'bird' in Japanese), varied widely in subspecies of birds found on Earth. They have little motivation to better themselves, and thus rely on the protection of others to compensate for their small-mindedness

Before contact with the Interstellar Alliance in 2409, the R'tori were allied with FUR, AC, DNS, and the Rel Kesthz. However, upon contacting the Alliance along with the rest of the friendly species, they took offense to the sight of the Gryphons, a species they had never before encountered.

Citing them as an insult to their honor (what honor?), the R'tori declared war on the Gryphons, and were thusly dumped from everyone's alliances and left to fend for themselves.

The R'tori call from a mountainous world (small wonder they've got wings), and their vessels are just about as weak as possible without falling apart at lightspeed. They are so worthless, in fact, that the Akula don't bother shooting them; they just ram them instead.

The R'tori continue to beg their former allies to side with them and declare war against the Gryphons, even though almost everyone in the quadrant has declared war on the R'tori. Nobody bothers wasting time going after them; instead, it's merely an excuse to blow them away when they come begging for allies.

4. Rel Kesthz

Alliances: IA, FUR, AC
Wars: Akula, Shiba-Inu, Tak, R'tori
Neutral: DNS

The Rel Kesthz are not a race of my design, but of Lysozyme's. His species are rather raptorish, though they have finned ears and are generally less hostile. They call from an water/grassland world named Kiskesthz, and were common allies with the R'tori, FUR, AC, and DNS. They remain allies with FUR and AC.

The Rel Kesthz are the most powerful allied race, and are the only ones who can hold their own size for size with the Akula and their affiliates. Their ships are distinctive, mostly small to medium sized with nothing close to an Alliance superdreadnought. Their largest ships easily carry remarkable firepower.

The Rel Kesthz also have the best medical technology of all allied races, and often Rel Kesthz doctors are stationed on other species' vessels to increase survival rates.

5. Shiba-Inu

Alliances: Akula, Tak
Wars: IA, FUR, AC, R'tori, Rel Kesthz
Neutral: DNS

The Shiba-Inu are large white wolves (approx. 8' tall) calling from a hostile ice world. They have been at war with the Tak for as long as all the indigenous races can recall, and therefore have a formidable knowledge of warfare and technology at their disposal.

They were the unfortunate victims of masterful Akula treachery and deceit, usurping them and using them as tools to do the Akula's dirty work for them. Their means will perhaps never be known, but the Akula turned them against the Tak so severely that both sides swore to fight until their opposite was extinct.

Shiba-Inu ships are all equipped for warfare; they have no shuttles, transports, or any civilian units of any kind. Their entire civilization is built around their military.

"Inu" means dog in Japanese. Shiba is a cat food. o.O;

6. Tak

Alliances: Akula, Shiba-Inu
Wars: IA, FUR, AC, Rel Kesthz, R'tori
Neutral: DNS

In constant opposition to the Shiba-Inu are the Tak; a race of anthro cheetahs living on a small desert world. Sea above for their details; they match the Shiba-Inu in practically every respect.

Yes, I know it's Tak-y (watch for puns =P) to have the stereotypical "cats and dogs" going on here, but bear with me. Tak vessels can probably outmaneuver Shiba-Inu ships, though the latter probably outgun the Tak. A lot of the species' traits are based on their actual biological traits. Cats are agile; so are their ships.

Tak is kat backwards. Kat is cat with a K. >.>

Interstellar Alliance (IA)

Allies: FUR, AC, Rel Kesthz
Wars: Akula, Shiba-Inu, Tak, R'tori
Neutral: DNS

7. Cetans

I'm sure most of you know what a cetan is. For reference, a cetan is any species of anthro dolphin. I am a cetan. *blinks* I tend to prefer cetans as dolphin-like as possible (females without breasts, males with slits and not shark bait between their legs o.O), but that's just for characters not based on people.

Cetans were "discovered" back in 2378 and carted to this universe aboard the Draconic. as such, breeding is encouraged, and they've taken to the continent of Australia on Terra as their own. They run the contracting company of Amicus, along with their dolphin counterparts, and are known for their excellent fighters and scout ships.

The cetan's role in the Alliance is one of leadership. They had their own government back in the Federation, the Cetacean Stellar Alliance, but have chosen to become part of the Interstellar Alliance.

I didn't name cetans. =P

8. Dolphins

Dolphins share many of the same roles as the cetans do. They're valued for their engineering and medical expertise, as are the cetans. Dolphins use devices known as "harnesses" with antigravity to allow them to "swim" through ship corridors, and with dexterous robotic arms for manipulating objects.

9. Hayansark

The Hayansark are a race I constructed on my own. They are colorful, meter-tall mammalian lizards, and they're really cute. Really really cute. They're also all hermaphrodites, give birth live, have a nine day gestation, and a six year life span.

The Hayansark homework was "discovered" in 2407 by a Federation vessel running from the Dominion. The Dominion destroyed their homeworld, and all but 1,000 Hayansark who made it aboard the Federation vessel and to safety. The raptors 'adopted' the orphaned lizards, who had no trouble replenishing their numbers. o.O;

10. Raptors

Raptors were bred for the first time in 2374 as part of a top-secret genetics project undertaken by the Federation. They are sentient and posses intelligence comparable to humans. Caretakers of the Hayansark, they control the warship design contractor of Dromaeo Starcraft, and excel in ground combat roles.

The raptors originally had their own affiliation, the Dromaeosaurid Council, but opted for Alliance membership aboard the Draconic. They share the continent of Africa on Terra with the Hayansark.

11. Humans

The majority in Star Trek, humans are now the minority by far. With lower survivability than their reptilian, cetacean, and feathered counterparts, humans have declined in numbers and importance in the Alliance. However, they are known for their diplomatic skills, and many humans were sacrificed in attempts to make peace with the Akula.

Humans occupy the continent of North America on Terra, and control the contracting companies of Antioch, Arc, Arcturas, Inferior, Mercer, and Ophiuchi.

12. Draconids

Anthro counterparts to dragons, draconids were one of the three races to enter the Star Trek universe through the dimensional gateway to Kirami's universe (if you don't know, don't ask x.x). They vary widely in shape, coloration, and other features, but are most useful for their magic development.

Draconids live on the continent of Asia on Terra.

13. Dragons

Dragons are the second species from the alternate universe, and are valued for their ability as ground troops (they excel at unarmed air combat as well o.O). They reside on the continent of Europe.

14. Gryphons

Gryphons are the third race from the alternate universe to board the Draconic, and at the end of the first decade of war, have become one of the most valued races. With their introduction of Feushun-duk, Ltd. and subsequent development of the Foxwing, Muse, and Reliance classes of scout and support ships, the gryphons have made their name known for all.

Gryphons can be quadrapedal or bipedal (I've yet to find a suitable name for "anthro gryphons"), and apart from research and development, excel at ground and air combat, magic, and leadership abilities.

Many gryphons regard the R'tori as immature hatchlings (or chicks, for those who give birth live), and aren't above forging an alliance with them. The R'tori, however, want nothing of it, apparently intimidated by the gryphon's importance to the Alliance.

Their latest development, the Reliance class, has become the hottest new item among the allied races, especially since crews are coming up short in all fleets and the Reliance's artificial intelligence makes it operable even with one-tenth the normal crew.

Gryphons reside on the continent of South America.

15. Solians

The Solians were the original inhabitants of this universe's Sol system back in the early 21st century. Upon arriving in this universe and up until 2415, the only evidence to this were some ruins and artifacts destroyed some 400 years ago from what looked like an orbital bombardment. None of the other friendly races knew of any civilization to exist prior on Terra.

Then in 2415, the terrible truth was discovered. A Shark class armed launch named Calypso was part of a massive defense perimeter set up against the Akula's latest attack. In the midst of the battle, the Calypso attempted escape from certain destruction via their Quantum Probability Hyperdrive.

The QPH was introduced in 2412 by Dromaeo Sc on their Ronning class armed launch. Its purpose was to be a last-ditch escape from imminent doom; it worked on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle that an object can exist theoretically at any point in the space/time continuum; its current location is simply the most probable.

By the introduction of the Shark class, it was equipped with a third-generation class 6.7 QPH drive, giving it a 67% chance of ending up at a specified location within range. The remaining 33% is random chance, and there was approximately a 2% chance of the ship existing at ALL points in the universe simultaneously.

Obviously, the Calypso was desperate. Upon activation of the QPH drive, their spacial location did not change; temporally, however, they were thrown 413 years back in time, and significant damage done to their ship. They were forced to land on Terra, somewhere secluded so they would not be discovered.

As it turns out, Terra was inhabited by an anthro-raptor-like species called the Solians. Their technology is comparable to 2050 Earth (ie. no faster-than-warp propulsion), and as such there's no quick fix for the Calypso's QPH drive to get them back to 2415.

With the aid of holographic imaging, the draconid and selkie crewmembers of the Calypso blend in among the rest of the society. Their presence does not go unknown to *all* Solians. A precocious young female named Evana runs across their ship in the first few weeks of their presence. She later becomes friends with the two strangers, and vows to keep their existence a secret.

They learn much about Solian culture, technology, and lifestyle, and also begin to notice that some of the technology developed by the Solians has been seen in use aboard Akula ships in 2415. Nothing terribly advanced or deadly, but things like backup weapons and small arms found on the few-and-far-between captured Akula ships. So, the two hazard the guess that the Akula destroyed the Solian civilization sometime in the following twenty years or so. They plan to make themselves scarce before then.

So, for 15 years, the two live peacefully on their ship, slowly figuring out how to get back home with the primitive technology of the Solians. They become close in this time, and much to the surprise of the selkie (who wasn't aware draconids were omni-compatible), he impregnates the herm draconid. Six months later, two eggs are laid, which hatch after another six months. Both are overjoyed.

Finally, 15 years after their arrival, the draconid is ready to reactivate the QPH. Moments before "flipping the switch" as it were, the selkie comes to realize the truth; it is the Calypso who causes the Solians to be destroyed. Mere seconds after the QPH is activated, he alerts the draconid, who sadly tells him the QPH cannot be shut down during startup.

The truth is that the Akula, back in their reclusive dark volcanic world, have had their eyes on the Solians for quite a while, watching their society advance, and preparing to do away with them if they become a threat. The activation of the QPH produces a temporal signature which even the Akula can detect; such technology is far beyond the boundary of "threat" to the Akula, who immediately move to dispense the seemingly advanced Solians.

They estimate it is a matter of hours before the Akula arrive; while the draconid makes all the necessary preparations for a quick getaway, the selkie takes off in search of Evana, the reason being she had moved in with them 8 years after they arrived, and had spent the previous evening "out". He finds her, and quickly whisks her back to the Calypso. The Akula arrive a bit sooner than anticipated, and the selkie is killed before he can make it on board. Evana is safe though, and the Calypso escapes.

The Calypso reappears at the exact time and place it left in 2415, so it appears to have gone nowhere. Later, it seems logical as to why the Akula have deemed the Sol system off limits, though they do not know it was the Interstellar Alliance themselves who were involved with the Solian's genocide.

During medical exams of all the crew, it is also discovered that Evana is pregnant. It seems her "night out" involved some mating, not uncommon among Solians, and about six months later she lays the first four members of her species, who hatched another six months afterwards.

With the aid of genetic engineering, Evana will have a long life ahead of her of repopulating her species. The raptors have agreed to help with bringing up her hatchlings, now and in the future.

Five United Races (FUR)

Alliances: IA, AC, Rel Kesthz
Wars: Akula, Shiba-Inu, Tak, R'tori
Neutral: DNS

16. Maskawan

The Maskawan are anthro raccoons, the leaders and tacticians of FUR. They're your standard Raccoon '"furry". I don't have a lot of information written up on them. x.x

17. Oriska

The Oriska are anthro skunks in the same respect. They design ships for FUR, and their designs carry a black hull with white stripes. Their ships are well-rounded, with no notable strengths or weaknesses.

18. Qa

Anthro badgers. The Qa are the ground combatants of FUR. Short tempered, sometimes considered rude, but nothing like Klingons. =P

19. Spre

The Spre are anthro mice, 4-5' tall while the others are more average human sized. The Spre design tiny, 1-2 person fighters which rely on speed to survive. Lightly armored but powerfully armed. They also have excellent medical knowledge.

20. Velox

Anthro foxen. The velox are the engineers of FUR, and design some of the most bizarre, powerful ships ever seen in the quadrant. Their vessels need constant repair, and it's rare to find a ship of velox design with non-velox aboard.

Aquatic Coalition (AC)

Alliances: IA, FUR, Rel Kesthz
Wars: Akula, Shiba-Inu, Tak
Neutral: DNS, R'tori

21. Chawi

The chawi are anthro ferrets who do the ship designing for AC. While obviously not aquatic by nature, they were 'adopted' by the Fa-hsien when their world was destroyed due to natural causes. Their ships are large, powerful vessels which lack speed but more than make up for it in firepower and defense.

22. Fa-hsien

The Fa-hsien are anthro otters who are the medical experts of FUR. Their world is 85% water; most of the land is occupied by their counterparts, the Chawi, whom they graciously gave residence on their world after the Chawi's was destroyed by natural causes. These "natural causes" are not known, however.

23. Gama

The gama are a race of anthro sharks, analogous to cetans, who do most of the ground combat for FUR. Again, not much is known about them (because I've been too lazy to write it o.o)

24. Selkie

Selkies are anthro seals, and they and the cetans quickly became infatuated with each other upon meeting. They do much of the management of the FUR alliance, and their ships are beautiful works of art with incredible defense, but average offensive and propulsion systems. They live on a 98% water world with undersea cities.

Dellechak-Newanak-Somican Triad (DNS)

Alliances: None
Wars: None
Neutral: IA, FUR, Akula, Shiba-Inu, Tak, R'tori, Rel Kesthz, AC

25. Dellechak

The dellechak are anthro horses who perform ground combat for DNS, though as a whole DNS has chosen to stay out of everyone else's way and quietly mind their own business. Though sympathetic to the Alliance and hating the Akula passively, they choose to observe their own interests instead of lending a hoof or paw where it would be helpful.

26. Newanak

The newanak are anthro deer who lead the DNS. They also perform medical duties for the Triad.

27. Somican

The somcian are kangaroos who design and engineer ships for DNS. Their ships are entirely blue, generally favoring medium and large vessels with firepower and defense over speed.

Conclusion

Well, I know that kind of sucked, but that's the most important information I have on each race in the universe. I know several of you are of one species but fitting with another (Fareme and the Velox, Snowhawk and the Dellechak, for example), but I can fathom how analogous races could evolve in different universes.

So basically, the IA, FUR, AC, and Rel Kesthz are the "good guys"; the Akula, Shiba-Inu, and the Tak are the "bad guys"; everyone hates the R'tori because they're annoying (I wonder who I identify with o.O;); and DNS is keeping to themselves and not pissing anyone off. For now.

If anyone wishes to write information I don't have into a storyline (the origin of the species whose homeworlds I haven't described, their locations, etc.) just let me know beforefin.

I still need to come up with a *real* plot for my story. Writing about Connie's pregnancy is interesting, but I don't think it'd be best written as a *plot*. Maybe a subplot. I do like to write about major change; given this war has been going on for 8 years as it has been, it's time for somat to happen. So, things might change.

And then again, I could just be crazy thinking people want to write anything about the Connie. If you do, though, I'd be honored to put your works on the official IAS Confidence website.

Until then, good luck and God speed. ^^

Lt. Nauta Sinneau