TATEYAMA PROJECT JOURNAL
PART ONE
>>SURVEY REPORT RECEIVED 5TH MARCH 2021
>>>VALIDATING
>>>>CONVERTING DATA
System AC-XA-4215 planet AC-54820 has been identified as a viable target. Terrestrial planet with mineral rich core. Crust average thickness 110 kilometres. Planetary diameter 5605 kilometres. Estimated platinum deposits 70 billion tonnes. C-TRAVEL time to Sanrin System - three standard days.
01-JET-2487
Daimyo Toshi stared down at the display in front of her. They were in one of the reception rooms at Castle Zhang-Yu, and Morioka Sakura herself was animatedly explaining what they were looking at.
It looked for all the world like an inverted planet, some kind of philosophical thought experiment or metaphor, but it was surrounded by reams of notes, numbers and exploded views of obscure machinery.
"You have been briefed by the JIAN, of course, but the Huoming Temple has been studying the effects of the collision between our realm and the Far ever since the Curse befell our nation, and...well."
She turned, spying the logs that sat ready in the fire, waiting for the weather to turn. She closed her eyes and raised an elegant hand, her sun-yellow robes rustling faintly. Beginning to draw an intricate pattern in the air, she spoke in a low voice, using an ancient dialect of Dong Wusian that Toshi only recognised because she had happened to watch a BitDirector miniseries set in the period.
"O galaa, buejigee ekhel." Sakura intoned, and flame burst forth from inside the pile of logs. She waited for a moment, then turned with a smile to Toshi. Despite the sudden crackle of fire, the Daimyo felt suddenly chill.
"We know many things. The ancient rites of Jade Shinto are founded in reality, and hold up a mirror to the realms beyond our sight. By building Tateyama, a sacred place, we will grow the Temples of the Jade Empire and accordingly, the Jade Empire herself."
She waved her Holo and a fresh diagram appeared, showing the NS-1 region and the Jade holdings there. The whole map was overlaid by a series of crystalline red beads, some larger, some smaller, with a huge bead resting on the surface of Laptev.
"There are rifts between the realms, corridors through which the divine can travel. We call them Bridges, others call them Leylines, Wells, and other gaijin foolishness. The strongest we have found is on Laptev itself, explaining why the people of Ingen are so blessed. But out here in the Ancerious Galaxy, we lack any natural Bridges. Our power is weak here, something which must be remedied. Tateyama will serve as a spiritual beacon, a Bridge of grand design and purpose."
The diagram expanded, zooming out to show a distant galaxy labelled 'Ancerious'. A giant bead appeared atop it, a line of smaller beads coalescing between the original map and the Ancerious map.
Toshi leaned back in her seat. "I understand the reasoning, Abbess, but the cost. You wish to mine an entire planet, and then turn the shell into a giant construct? And artificially terraform and maintain an inhabitable interior? The resources required would be incalculable...."
Sakura nodded. "It will be expensive, your grace, no doubt. The cost can be offset somewhat by the sheer volume of raw material we will extract from the planet, including vast amounts of platinum which is the most useful in creating iconography and kanji-runes, but this will still be a significant investment. But I would argue that we cannot afford not to build this sacred place. Without it, we will have no way to ward against the growing influence of the Merger here. FB-1 fell because we did not understand the powers that were being unleashed, but now we do and we have an opportunity to wield them ourselves. A great holy place, channeling power into spells and runes, giving our warriors the tools to fight the Merger and our people the faith to resist its evils."*
21-JET-2487
With recent events in the Sarnath System, the need to develop the Jade Empire's military and religious capabilities had become only more pressing. The initial phase of the project had been greenlit, and a convoy of mining, exploratory and survey ships descended on AC-54820 to begin initial investigations and assist in mapping out drill and construction pathways.
The small, blue-grey dwarf planet was only dimly lit by the orange dwarf at the system's core, and it lay in silence as the horde of Jade vessels approached it. Morioka had come in person, and watched through the forward viewport of her personal barge. The system ahead of her was tranquil, quiet and untouched, without a trace of anything in it, and that suited her just fine. She would create, she would build and she would turn this system into a site worthy of the great god Rapuchefu himself...
>>>VALIDATING
>>>>CONVERTING DATA
System AC-XA-4215 planet AC-54820 has been identified as a viable target. Terrestrial planet with mineral rich core. Crust average thickness 110 kilometres. Planetary diameter 5605 kilometres. Estimated platinum deposits 70 billion tonnes. C-TRAVEL time to Sanrin System - three standard days.
01-JET-2487
Daimyo Toshi stared down at the display in front of her. They were in one of the reception rooms at Castle Zhang-Yu, and Morioka Sakura herself was animatedly explaining what they were looking at.
It looked for all the world like an inverted planet, some kind of philosophical thought experiment or metaphor, but it was surrounded by reams of notes, numbers and exploded views of obscure machinery.
"You have been briefed by the JIAN, of course, but the Huoming Temple has been studying the effects of the collision between our realm and the Far ever since the Curse befell our nation, and...well."
She turned, spying the logs that sat ready in the fire, waiting for the weather to turn. She closed her eyes and raised an elegant hand, her sun-yellow robes rustling faintly. Beginning to draw an intricate pattern in the air, she spoke in a low voice, using an ancient dialect of Dong Wusian that Toshi only recognised because she had happened to watch a BitDirector miniseries set in the period.
"O galaa, buejigee ekhel." Sakura intoned, and flame burst forth from inside the pile of logs. She waited for a moment, then turned with a smile to Toshi. Despite the sudden crackle of fire, the Daimyo felt suddenly chill.
"We know many things. The ancient rites of Jade Shinto are founded in reality, and hold up a mirror to the realms beyond our sight. By building Tateyama, a sacred place, we will grow the Temples of the Jade Empire and accordingly, the Jade Empire herself."
She waved her Holo and a fresh diagram appeared, showing the NS-1 region and the Jade holdings there. The whole map was overlaid by a series of crystalline red beads, some larger, some smaller, with a huge bead resting on the surface of Laptev.
"There are rifts between the realms, corridors through which the divine can travel. We call them Bridges, others call them Leylines, Wells, and other gaijin foolishness. The strongest we have found is on Laptev itself, explaining why the people of Ingen are so blessed. But out here in the Ancerious Galaxy, we lack any natural Bridges. Our power is weak here, something which must be remedied. Tateyama will serve as a spiritual beacon, a Bridge of grand design and purpose."
The diagram expanded, zooming out to show a distant galaxy labelled 'Ancerious'. A giant bead appeared atop it, a line of smaller beads coalescing between the original map and the Ancerious map.
Toshi leaned back in her seat. "I understand the reasoning, Abbess, but the cost. You wish to mine an entire planet, and then turn the shell into a giant construct? And artificially terraform and maintain an inhabitable interior? The resources required would be incalculable...."
Sakura nodded. "It will be expensive, your grace, no doubt. The cost can be offset somewhat by the sheer volume of raw material we will extract from the planet, including vast amounts of platinum which is the most useful in creating iconography and kanji-runes, but this will still be a significant investment. But I would argue that we cannot afford not to build this sacred place. Without it, we will have no way to ward against the growing influence of the Merger here. FB-1 fell because we did not understand the powers that were being unleashed, but now we do and we have an opportunity to wield them ourselves. A great holy place, channeling power into spells and runes, giving our warriors the tools to fight the Merger and our people the faith to resist its evils."*
21-JET-2487
With recent events in the Sarnath System, the need to develop the Jade Empire's military and religious capabilities had become only more pressing. The initial phase of the project had been greenlit, and a convoy of mining, exploratory and survey ships descended on AC-54820 to begin initial investigations and assist in mapping out drill and construction pathways.
The small, blue-grey dwarf planet was only dimly lit by the orange dwarf at the system's core, and it lay in silence as the horde of Jade vessels approached it. Morioka had come in person, and watched through the forward viewport of her personal barge. The system ahead of her was tranquil, quiet and untouched, without a trace of anything in it, and that suited her just fine. She would create, she would build and she would turn this system into a site worthy of the great god Rapuchefu himself...
PART TWO
26-DIAMOND-2487 5TH MAY 2021
Work was progressing apace on the Tateyama. Huge barges filled with aggregate waited patiently as the gigantic excavation and mining craft picked away at the planet like carrion birds, whilst huge fabricator shipyards were already ablaze with activity, building the colossal segments and components that were being placed into the structure. A series of gravity wells had already been installed inside the planet, buried deep beneath the surface, to maintain and regulate its integrity as it was slowly excavated.
The whole thing was being done according to a strict plan. Although it seemed haphazard, even the construction was being carried out in a ritualistic fashion. A cruiser covered in pagodas and temples floated near the edge of the construction zone, filled with holy men and women who were overseeing the project and working to create a favourable harmony even as the great leyline began to take form.
The temple and living structures inside the planet would be built once the world itself was complete. She intended for many of them to be built using traditional construction methods, rather than prefabricated and then slotted into place like the superstructure was being.
Sakura was meditating when a lesser monk arrived outside her door and tugged at the pullrope which set a string of tiny, delicate bells tinkling. The gentle sound pulled her from her reverie and she waved her hand, the shipboard AI recognising the gesture and opening the door.
"Serpent's grace favour you, Abbess."
"And you also." she replied, waiting for her visitor to explain himself without prompting.
"Troubling news. Something attacked one of the assembly frames. There were no casualties but the frame is out of commission and we will need to stop work in that sector until it can be extracted and a new one deployed."
Sakura simply pursed her lips. "Something?"
The monk bowed nervously and approached, projecting a file from his Holo into the chambers' systems. Footage from the autonomous frame showed a scurrying figure, with long limbs and a strangely small head, dart from the darkness before long fingers reached to smash the lens of the camera.
Sakura studied the silhouette carefully. It was hard to discern, even the night-vision filter failing to illuminate it properly, but she knew what it was. Corruption had noticed the growing power in the region. She had expected this, however, and she had cadres of the Precept of the Crane ready and waiting for her command.
She dismissed the monk and called for the Mentor of her ship's Precept of the Crane. His warriors would lead the way, protecting the work and using rituals to close any breaches and ward against further attacks....
Work was progressing apace on the Tateyama. Huge barges filled with aggregate waited patiently as the gigantic excavation and mining craft picked away at the planet like carrion birds, whilst huge fabricator shipyards were already ablaze with activity, building the colossal segments and components that were being placed into the structure. A series of gravity wells had already been installed inside the planet, buried deep beneath the surface, to maintain and regulate its integrity as it was slowly excavated.
The whole thing was being done according to a strict plan. Although it seemed haphazard, even the construction was being carried out in a ritualistic fashion. A cruiser covered in pagodas and temples floated near the edge of the construction zone, filled with holy men and women who were overseeing the project and working to create a favourable harmony even as the great leyline began to take form.
The temple and living structures inside the planet would be built once the world itself was complete. She intended for many of them to be built using traditional construction methods, rather than prefabricated and then slotted into place like the superstructure was being.
Sakura was meditating when a lesser monk arrived outside her door and tugged at the pullrope which set a string of tiny, delicate bells tinkling. The gentle sound pulled her from her reverie and she waved her hand, the shipboard AI recognising the gesture and opening the door.
"Serpent's grace favour you, Abbess."
"And you also." she replied, waiting for her visitor to explain himself without prompting.
"Troubling news. Something attacked one of the assembly frames. There were no casualties but the frame is out of commission and we will need to stop work in that sector until it can be extracted and a new one deployed."
Sakura simply pursed her lips. "Something?"
The monk bowed nervously and approached, projecting a file from his Holo into the chambers' systems. Footage from the autonomous frame showed a scurrying figure, with long limbs and a strangely small head, dart from the darkness before long fingers reached to smash the lens of the camera.
Sakura studied the silhouette carefully. It was hard to discern, even the night-vision filter failing to illuminate it properly, but she knew what it was. Corruption had noticed the growing power in the region. She had expected this, however, and she had cadres of the Precept of the Crane ready and waiting for her command.
She dismissed the monk and called for the Mentor of her ship's Precept of the Crane. His warriors would lead the way, protecting the work and using rituals to close any breaches and ward against further attacks....
PART THREE
4-SAPPHIRE-2488 8TH JULY 2021
It had been heavier going than they expected, with increasing Merger daemon attacks in the substructure and gantries resulting in a low but steady toll on warrior-monks and labourers. A consecration ritual, binding the magical energies that the growing leyline was wildly generating, had done much to calm the situation, and whilst it was still an uncertain and shaky process, construction was ploughing on apace.
She crossed to look out of the window. She was on a tower block on the interior surface of Tateyama itself - once the interior was completed, this particular temple was going to be turned over to the Precept of Wisdom for a library, but for now it was her working office. Overhead, vast machines disappeared into the fog, whilst in the distance shapes loomed out of the mists, mountains and forests transplanted with great care as part of the new ecosystem of Tateyama. Once installed, a combination of solar energies and magic would keep the construction running.
She glanced down at her Holo, something she did dozens of times a day. As ever, the numbers on her management dashboard were all green, all metrics reading well, a great improvement from a few months ago when things had seemed quite dire. She could feel the power building even now, whilst the thought of the great vaults of platinum stored up for future use in artefacts, holy symbols and icons gave her an almost improper feeling of excitement.
Construction was nearly finished, with only a few weeks left, after which she planned to hold a great ceremony to formally instate the holy planet. She hoped, privately, that the Jade Empress herself might attend, but realistically she knew this was unlikely. More hopeful were the chances that Crown Prince Mitsuyoshi would attend. She knew that he had exhibited powers at the Battle of Cass City, and hoped to speak closely with him. His involvement would enhance the prestige of Tateyama and could also unlock fresh knowledge and advances in the school of magic. The possibilities were exponential....
It had been heavier going than they expected, with increasing Merger daemon attacks in the substructure and gantries resulting in a low but steady toll on warrior-monks and labourers. A consecration ritual, binding the magical energies that the growing leyline was wildly generating, had done much to calm the situation, and whilst it was still an uncertain and shaky process, construction was ploughing on apace.
She crossed to look out of the window. She was on a tower block on the interior surface of Tateyama itself - once the interior was completed, this particular temple was going to be turned over to the Precept of Wisdom for a library, but for now it was her working office. Overhead, vast machines disappeared into the fog, whilst in the distance shapes loomed out of the mists, mountains and forests transplanted with great care as part of the new ecosystem of Tateyama. Once installed, a combination of solar energies and magic would keep the construction running.
She glanced down at her Holo, something she did dozens of times a day. As ever, the numbers on her management dashboard were all green, all metrics reading well, a great improvement from a few months ago when things had seemed quite dire. She could feel the power building even now, whilst the thought of the great vaults of platinum stored up for future use in artefacts, holy symbols and icons gave her an almost improper feeling of excitement.
Construction was nearly finished, with only a few weeks left, after which she planned to hold a great ceremony to formally instate the holy planet. She hoped, privately, that the Jade Empress herself might attend, but realistically she knew this was unlikely. More hopeful were the chances that Crown Prince Mitsuyoshi would attend. She knew that he had exhibited powers at the Battle of Cass City, and hoped to speak closely with him. His involvement would enhance the prestige of Tateyama and could also unlock fresh knowledge and advances in the school of magic. The possibilities were exponential....