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Iammelon wrote:

Tamour gave an affirmative nod at Melyphis's announcement, "Indeed so! I hope you will continue to show the ability for teamwork and team tactics that you have displayed here in the field, working alongside other Iammelonian races and peoples. I haven't a doubt of your abilities to fight, and you have given me proof of your ability to work as a team, your strength and potential are undeniable. This Civil War will be fought and won by the Iammelonian Union, and I know you will all contribute greatly to this. However you are not done learning. Over the course of this war, I hope you see to it that you bond with those you are fighting alongside, because when we win this war, you will be part of the society we are fighting to build. It is time that your people finally join civilization. I already see that you are very much capable of it, some of you are already quite prepared I believe." He gave a look to Melyphis and then Yajana during this comment, as they were of course the ones who best fit that, and then he continued, "In the rest, you can do it. You simply need accept it."

"Now! I will be giving assignments to all of you. Zemia, you will be rejoining your Taurus handler and you will help him train a number of the new Ultarians as part of a newly raised armored fist formation. I believe you are well suited to this unit, given that it is a combination of tanks and heavy infantry. Xernus, you as well will be training some of your newly created kin, in this case the Coralians. I will be calling upon your knowledge in anti-stealth abilities to form a unit specialized in rapidly responding to enemies who get behind our lines, as Omnipo has plenty of troops who enjoy such tactics. You're going to be working with your handler and the Coralians to handle them. Understood?" He then turned to the others, "Yajana, you will of course remain with Mierl. I'll be keeping you with my own personal fleet, as I of course require some reliable individuals to call upon. And Sieg, you I still need to figure out a role for. Until then, you will also be staying with my personal fleet, with Aloni as your handler."

All of the broodmothers listened well to the praise they received and then to their orders after that. Melyphis and Yajana were quite happy to hear that they would still be serving in the same fleet. Though Yajana was more pleased that she got to remain with Meirl, having become quite fond of him during their time together. A fondness they were both already aware of during their small time together. "Thank you sir! I look forward to serving in your personal fleet again!"

Hearing her orders, Zemia was pleased to know that she would be helping to raise a new fledgling force of heavy hitters. Leading heavy hitters was well within her skill set. "I'll do my best sir! I'll help shape these newbies into real heavy hitters."

Xernus was more composed about this, moving her glasses up her nose as she smiles softly to the news that her skills will be put to such a fine use. "An anti-stealth force. My my, I can already hear the frustrated Omnipo commanders. I will get right to work sir."

Though Sieg, she wasn't quite so pleased. Though it was true that her area of expertise was far more broad than the other broodmothers with her being older than even Melyphis. Being thousands of years old... Still if she got to stick around the force of change that made her life so drastically different and marginally annoying then she may get to see what way the winds will blow for her people and to see if they were destined for ruin or real change. Outwardly she just seemed silently complacent, an odd serenity where she should be flustered since the former admiral was addressing her directly. "As you wish Sir. I will do my best to fit i once a role is found suitable."

Iammelon wrote:

Rovin smirked at that mention, "Ah, family by relation rather than blood, I see. Guess blood doesn't really matter if those are the folks you've known since you were just a young little fox. Nice that you got such pals however." It certainly kept the Human on his toes, but it also signaled to him that he was doing it right, and so he kept at it, his hands continuing to work on her back, and slowly going downwards. He continued to speak casually, "Lots of numbers for that project. Guessing then you were hardly the first generation. As for that... Fascinating, can't say I see you as the pirate type! But I suppose we all need some fun then and there. One day you'll have to show me a picture, I've never done pirating. Only the regular mercenary work and some smuggling, although of course with my morals intact. Well, intact so far at least. Still, got some fond memories from all that, bet you got some as well. Any adventure stand out to you?"

Piper gave a satisfied sigh and a nod to him as he mentions her family ties. "Yeah, though that family bond might have been strained since the Empire fell. My twin brother is... Not all there, he can be unhinged at times but that wife of his is helping him. Floating alone in darkspace on a derelict from our homeworld all the way to this galaxy can really break a guy..." She says before she opens one eye to look back at him for that little fox comment. Though his handiwork was certainly keeping her from getting annoyed as she felt years of tension and stress being cracked and soothed out of her as he made his way downwards.

As he spoke up about the numbers she closed her eyes and nodded while gentle quivers and murmurs sounded off between her explanation. "N-No we weren't the first. Hell I'm not convinced we were the last either before the war caught up with the homeworld. We seven that were in service were just the most successful... The youngest Sin to be born before the war got our planet busted was Draco. He and his imaginary friend were super young... I'd say only afew months before our homeworld went bust and then sent off into space... Heh, who knows. There might be a sin prototype or next gen Sin wandering around in some far off galaxy from the leftovers of the Project." She says before she looks back at him with a smile as he says she didn't see her as a pirate type. "Full of surprises ain't I~? And gladly. If I can find any... All I had was on my last ship before I lost it in a game." She says with a sigh. Though as he asks if she had any adventures that stand out she went quiet for a moment as she closed her eyes. For someone who's lived as long as her, being the stealthy type that she was, there were likely hundreds of times like that... To sort through them all and find one she liked the most, could it be that easy?

"One adventure I had did stand out to me... A single guy, a lone man saved my life ages ago. Heh... It was before I even started to adopt all those kids... Before I had Thatch. Back then, say... Oh... 16 years ago now. I was hired to steal something from an Anubite noble. After living in the western galaxy for awhile I had already had plenty of run-ins with the dogs already thanks to me doing merc work and some... 'Relic acquisition'. Well this was another 'acquisition' job. Buuut in a turn of events the job had been a setup. I got cornered on an Agri world since I had already lost my ship and couldn't just skip planet on a shuttle with most of the ports I went too being shut down... A group of the dogs cornered me. I was sure I was going to die there. But some idiot drove his truck right into them and picked me up while I was passing out." She smiled as she said it was an idiot. "I went on the run with him for awhile... In the end I returned the relic after... Some complications came up. Plenty of blood was spilled but I couldn't keep fighting them. So I slinked off to Avalantus... And I stayed there until I managed to piss off Apex and whoever those shady bastards were that you and that other guy saved us from." She was omitting an awful lot from that adventure... Still, seems pretty clear that the guy is Thatch's father. Rather generous and foolhardy to fight Anubites to save one woman.

Iammelon wrote:

Azultiri beamed at the compliments, clearly quite happy with the praise for her craftsmanship. She took on a big smug smile, proud of herself and shook herself a bit in joy, "Excellent that you can recognize how great this is! Still, thank you Uncle! And it's not even my best work, this is just using the gems and materials I happen to have on hand. One day I'll have to show you what I can do when I put some proper dedication into a project. I can make some good stuff quickly, but a true masterwork takes time. I do wish I had some to show you, but when I do make such efforts it's because I get a request. They pay me for it, I give them the requested item, and we all benefit! Good business model, right? Oh! Mom does have one of my masterworks, it's a custom-build claw-gauntlet. It's suited specially for her front-right claw, and when it gathers power it can either make her slashes cut through anything that isn't Heord Gold or blast out a wave of magical claw blasts! Pretty good if I do say so myself. Maybe I can make something nice and fancy for you one day Uncle!" She then thought on it, and got an idea. It was clearly an idea that Azultiri liked, based on the smirk that appeared on her face, "Actually... Didn't you say you left a kingdom to your daughter? Would this queenly daughter of yours happen to require anything? Say, I don't know, a magical gem-encrusted crown? It's a big show of power and it's fancy, Humans love that sorta thing! Or at least they used to. Has that changed in the last century? Human trends are so transient, they can't even stay consistent for their little lifetimes. It's like they change their fashion styles every mere year or two, like on Avalantus. Wasteful! Anyways, the offer is there!"

Hearing Azultiri declare that he'd get to see what she could do with real dedication and better materials, he had to admit he was looking forward to what she could really do when she puts her all into something. "Then I'll eagerly look forward to see what you can really do my neice. I can't wait to see some real masterpieces from you for myself, but from what I've already seen if this is what you can make in such a short time. You have my total confidence in your abilities." Zether says with a huge grin on his face. Though hearing that his sister did have one such masterpiece had him wondering. He didn't see it when he first met her. Though you wouldn't wear something like that so openly unless it was to make a statement. "It is certainly a good business model. Though that claw sounds really impressive, and powerful. I don't think I noticed it when I first met her. Though there was alot going on, I likely just didn't notice it amidst all the fun and discovery." He says before he smiles as he hears that she declares she might make something like that for him someday. Though he does get an idea about that. "Perhaps you could make something that uses the anti-magic I'll teach you. Being able to stop combat and status magics with a lift of my claw without all of that intense focus would be very demoralising for most mages and dragons wouldn't you say?"

He notices the smile on her face before she mentions his daughter Alicia. "I did yes, my daughter is currently an Empress If I remember that news report correctly." He says before he hears what she has to say. Hearing that she might make a crown for his daughter, a jewel encrusted on no less... The idea stuck with him. He did leave rather abruptly, so something like this. Sending back something to help protect his little girl and make sure she knows he still has her back despite him going off to find himself... He loved that idea. "I love that idea Azultiri. A crown would certainly work, it would be a nice way to get us to all get together too. I can show off my kids to the rest of the family."

Triporea wrote:

The woman, after a few moments of catching her breath responded by backing away from Filia quite quickly. “W-who are you?!” That voice, something about it was familiar. Like the one from those speakers in the field. The woman, her voice had a striking resemblance to it. “What, torturing me wasn’t enough, now you people are trying to kill me?” She spat water out of her mouth and stood up. “I already told you everything I know...”

-

She smiles, nodding her head and hugging Sephus. She entered the shop, and found an elderly Creach woman. She had mostly grey and white fur around her nose. The black fur strips she had mostly grey if not all grey along her face. She wore goggles with many lenses. She held a soldering iron in one hand. Around her were pieces of wood, some cut, some uncut, some polished, some being stained. Hanging around her were wires, metal fixings, all the trappings of a clockmaker really. She wore a thick leather apron over a blue shirt and brown pants. Though she seemed to perk up hearing the bell on the door ring. She finished her work, set the iron down, and stood up. Her back cracked as she stood, but she approached a counter. Brushing off her apron, “Is that the great Liline Kumar darkening my doorstep?” She sounded happy, a big smile on the woman’s face. “Oh, time for a new arm then?”
Liline smiled, “Yes, yes, you old Codger. How have you been?” The two shook hands.
“Oh, aching. Getting older every day. And I haven’t yet gotten my OAF of an apprentice to actually pay attention.” A previously unremarkable pile of wood scraps and spare metal shifted and a measctha who was hidden under the pile of bits shifted. He jumped up.
“S-sorry, ma’am. I’ll uh, get back to the woodworking...” He jumped up and grabbed a large piece of scrap wood and a knife beginning to carve it.
The creach woman let out a groan,“I swear that boy’ll learn one day,” she waved her hand, “anyhow. Come back in a day, I’ll have your new arm ready.”
She smiled and Liline put a large leather folder on the counter, “just take the money this time, you-“
The badger quickly grabbed the folder, “Aye, I’ll happily take your money. Now that the guvenmet isn’t paying.” Liline seemed a little shocked, “but you...”
“I had to take it before you could take it back.” She smiled and pocketed the money within the folder. Liline smiled and turned back to Sephus and left the small shop.

Hearing the woman's voice as she backed away, Filia was reminded of the warped voice from that crazy AI... Did they use her voice? Who the hell is she? Filia just kept herself in a neutral stance... Before she lifted a hand up and used Psionics to chop the top of her head to get her attention. "Do I look like I work here idiot? Take a second and look around. This place is a dump, whoever tortured you is long dead." She did feel bad for this woman, but she didn't want to be all delicate and slow with her. They didn't have that luxury. "Either that or they're a shambling corpse topside."

-----

Sephus gave Liline a hug before they both went inside. It was interesting to get a limited look into the workings of a craftswoman that Liline valued so highly. Still, the fact this little ol lady was famous and good enough for Liline to want her to make her another arm must have meant she was really good at her job. He didn't do alot of talking, none in fact. The exchange was so quick that he barely understood what happened before he was being led back out by Liline "Leaving already, blimey that was quick." He says looking back to the shop before looking down to her. "She was quite lively. "

"My fellow gentlemen and noble lords, we all see now the inadequacies of this new government! Queen Shanalotteland and all Ikhanda lands have been a proud colony of Bezannia for many years now! We've endured many a rebellion from the natives of Queen Shanalotteland! But now that a new one rears its ugly head suddenly this socialist government can't stomach the necessary action to put it to an end. This premier minister has refused to take action! We all are well aware, my fellow minsters of Sansad, that disaster in the plains that occurred three days ago. Eight-thousand Anktha conscripts, wielding Bezannian weapons and driving Bezannian vehicles were slaughtered like Mainbuwicks! By plain-striding savages wielding nothing more than spears, smuggled arms with limited ammunition, and nothing else! Who are these Ikhanda suddenly? This Sipho Ibaleyo? Are they not the same people who staged a similar revolution some forty-seven years ago? A revolution we swiftly crushed with our heel by deploying a small force of imperial soldiers? This, my fellows and noble friends, is the solution to our crises. But instead of taking the obvious solution and ending the unrest, our premier minister decries us for being imperialists! We must send forces and relieve Field Marshal Turnbull at once!" The Fatimazda knocked on his desk three times to emphasize his last word. The Fatimazda then put both hands on the lapel of his black suit jacket, and slowly returned to his seat. Across the chambers, Sir Wood was sat in a relaxed position. Eyes scanning the room. His fists were clenched and the corner of his lips were curled down. The chamber was suddenly filled with a great echo of a gavel.
"Most esteemed members of Sansad, it is my duty to inform the members of the chamber that the time for our session today is at an end. I'd like to thank all ministers present for their time on this day, and we shall reconvene tomorrow. Sansad is dismissed." The speaker smacked the gavel once more, and there was a loud murmur in the crowd as the politicians stood from their desks. Wood rose from his seat and stormed off down the aisle and towards the exit.
"You hit him where it hurts, my noble friend." A Creach woman in a dark grey lounge suit was sitting at a desk as the Fatimazda who gave the speech approached her. She wore a fly tartan over her suit, a kilt, and a small bowtie tucked under her modest collar. Fixing her glasses she stood. "Congratulations, Lord Mayermount on a rousing call to action. I do believe the alliance party has suffered dearly." She smiled and stood, grabbing a small briefcase.
"Lady Caimlaich, it is certainly refreshing to hear a compliment. I do say, I have so enjoyed driving a great lance into these socialists' guts." The two started laughing as they watched the rest of Premier Minister Wood's cabinet exit the Sansad chamber.

A light purple Fatimazda sipped tea from a fine cup, setting it down on a saucer, "well, premiership, unfortunately we've no alternative. Lord Turnbull seems to have survived the engagement and reports indicate that he wasn't even present for the events. Seems one of the sultan's colonels launched an attack against the advice of the Lord Turnbull and the army was destroyed. Simple as that, I'm afraid." The orange Fatimazda slammed a newspaper on the desk and stood up.
"And now you're going to tell me we have to send in an imperial task force to restore order, is that it?"
"Premiership, we must regain control over Ukukhazi and Inkambu if we are to stop this small uprising from becoming anything serious."
"How in all the pediplains did this colonel even defy the orders of Turnbull in the first place? The man's infamous for being stern and austere!"
"Premiership, it seems you might have a misunderstanding for the true nature of the operation your cabinet set forth. You asked for the Sultan o Borsworth to supply a small army of Anktha men to quell Ibaleyo and dispatched Field Marshal Turnbull as an advisor to the Royal Army of Borsworth. Turnbull was not an acting commander, but simply a Bezannian spectator."
Wood's brow wrinkled as his jaw lay open, "But Borsworth is our colony! What do you mean... spectator?"
"Premiership, Borsworth is a protectorate of the Empire. Not a colony. Queen Shanalotteland and the rest of Némal are a... sort of official colony only in name. When the Lord Redgrave allowed the establishment of the colony and sultanate, they came to an agreement. Bezannia would claim it all as a colony, but the Sultan and his Princes would be semi-independent on Borsworth. Later agreements yielded a sort of unofficial Borsworth administration of the colony."
"bloody nobles, carving up land in back ally deals."
"Regardless of who perpetrated it, premiership. Borsworth has already done its part in supplying a small army to fight on our behalf, and now they're spent. I'm afraid we've nothing left to do but fight."
"But you said the Sultan had unofficial administration, why isn't this his problem?"
"Because, premiership, it's still technically our colony."
Wood rubbed his eyes and then shifted to rubbing his temples, "remind me again who hired you as secretary of the colonies?"
The purple Fatimazda laughed and set his tea down, "Why Lord Wettle of course. And I expect you'll be sacking me now." Josiah nodded slowly, "in that case, premiership. It has been an honour working for your government these past months." The man stood and slowly walked for the door of the office, a large smile on his face all the way. The moment the door closed behind him, Josiah let out a loud sigh.
"Fúcking high born prick," he picked up a nearby phone, "operator get me Lady Chelmsby, code six apex four continental five zig-zag... Jane, those bastards left me no choice... Yes, yes I assumed your husband told you, just let me vent. Get down here and just... tell me what to do to fix this." He put the handset down and opened a small drawer on his desk, retrieving a bottle of whiskey, he uncapped it and filled a nearby teacup.

-

Chelsmby-Jane, Countess Lashershire, stood at the head of the room. She wore an all black uniform, with a small rank bar going across her left breast. She was holding a small wooden swagger stick in her off hand, "Honourable Premiership, Secretary of Defence, ministers of the cabinet. The Imperial General Staff has prepared a small task force to enter Queen Shanalotteland, make planetside, then capture Ukukhazi and Inkambu at the same time. We've put together a small force, under the command of General Edward Keats. Field Marshal Turnbull was ordered yesterday to travel to Borsworth and apologize to the Sultan there for the loss of Anktha soldiers and to oversee the exchange of reparations. General Keats will land with a squadron of three ships, one carrier, and two cruisers. Once he's planetoid, General Keats will roll out eight knight squadrons, supported by a small land force of a modest ten thousand soldiers. The entire operation should only take five days to see till completion."
Wood nodded slowly, his head hanging low and eyes looking solely on the desk in front of him, "this Keats, you trust him?"
"In full confidence, premiership... he's a pigheaded pompous nobleman who I've no stomach for. But he's one of our best knights in action. If we want a swift resolution to this conflict, I'm afraid we'll simply have to employ his services."
Wood sighed, "is our country only full of these insufferable individuals? Am I surrounded by nothing but noblemen?" He stood up, "Well Lady Chelmsby, I trust you've thought this plan down to the last detail?"
"Well, I certainly like to think we have. The General Staff and I hope that we can end this conflict quickly and before you and the government suffer any further due to strict principles. It has always commended my respect, that you and your staff have remained true to your ideals and platforms even in times of extreme stress and criticism. For that you have the army's gratitude and you will reap our swiftest results yet."
"Thank you... for your ever supportive words, Lady Chelmsby. You're the best of us. I say we're done here, yes gentlemen?" The cabinet seemed to all nod. He then waved his hand, "then we're dismissed." He stepped away from his desk, the ministers all stood and began collecting their items and belongings, Chelmsby saluted to Josiah. He approached the old soldier and sighed. "Want to stay for lunch? I could use the company of a friend."
Jane smiled and nodded, "I would be honoured, been a long time since I've had lunch here. Does your chef still serve those raisin scones?"

House of vengeance wrote:

To survive as nomads you have to pick up what other races leave behind or at least scavenge what you can. Though in the point of the Apex Carrier this was likely a case of the House defending themselves against an ambush and being more than the pirate bargained for.

As the commander spoke, Tabbina just listened and took in her words as she explains their situation. Though she was impressed how the commander rose to the challenge of leadership "A desperation Ilox will be challenged by, but one she has not let conquer her. You are strong for softskin. You gather correctly, Tabbina's role is security. Though she is not in command of security, a piece of the whole. The one in charge in Baroness Fraph. Commander Ilox will meet her before she and her fleet can roam freely. The atmosphere aboard her ship will be adjusted for softskin breathing. Softskins are not made to breathing the ether like we Eliksni."

Mithra seemed pretty interested in this as he rubbed his chin "Ho? Baroness Fraph, quite the rare treat. She's something of a recluse but she is a great tactician from the House of Broken Dreams. She has helped the House of Vengeance greatly. It's thanks to her that we repelled those Apex cretins and their silly automobiles. I wouldn't worry too much about the atmosphere on our end though, we eliksni can live in most environments as long as we have ether."

Ilox gave a small smile at the compliment given to her about her situation, "Well, it is difficult, but somebody needs to take charge. And whether I like it not, I just happened to be one of the most experienced and prepared officers for the role, which is saying a lot given that I still see myself as unqualified. Guess I'm just stubborn enough." She then listened to the description of this Baroness Fraph, still rolling her eyes at the constant use of the term softskin, but interested in this person she was apparently going to meet. She nodded, "I suppose then it will be quite nice to meet this Baroness Fraph, as she does sound like quite an interesting person. Sensible that I have to meet the leader of your security before any free movement as well, I cannot blame you for being cautious. A simple check-up is a basic and sensible idea, regardless of who one is meeting. Although, you mentioned Apex. I know them, quite well in fact. They were the biggest pirate group I fought before the Civil War in Iammelon, as they come from Iammelon. As such, I have experience with them, so guess then me and this Baroness have a similarity there. Although, if you have encountered their prized cars... What did you do with them? It is an odd question, I am aware, but it is rather important when dealing with Apex. They are quite invested in their cars."

The star in the sky was just cresting towards the horizon, beginning its descent from Saranshire and towards the other boroughs of Bezembay. In the glided halls of the palace, atop Aeldwon Hill, a fatimazda in a charcoal morning suit was sitting at a small desk. On the desk was a letter, but next to it was an inkwell and a pen. A cup of tea sat on a saucer near opposite the inkwell. The Fatimazda let out a sigh and set down a gold nib pen, lifting the teacup with three fingers, his ring finger and pinky, the latter adorned with a gold signet ring. A facing tiger was on the ring. There was a knock on a nearby door and it opened shortly after a servant stepping through, "Your Imperial Highness, the Empress has landed safely on Tir Creachdair."
The Fatimazda at the desk looked over, "thank you, was there anything else?"
"No, Your Imperial Highness."
"Then fetch the footman and tell him to bring more cream. Also inform the cook that my tea was over extracted."
The servant bowed at the neck and brought his heels together, "Of course, Your Imperial Highness." He then turned and left, closing the door on the way out.

At Dunkleshire, across the Tarn, a ship had landed in the water and moored to the dock. Police were guarding the docks as PM Wood stepped off the ship, accompanying him was a human. They both wore full suits, an Inverness cape, and the human wore a top hat. They both carried canes in their offhand, with the human wearing a monocle and a tall stiff collar with a wide cravat tie. Wood himself was wearing a wing collar and necktie. The two stepped away from the ship and approached a train waiting nearby and entered a cabin on the train. Wood sat down on a seat and the human opposite. The two still wearing their hats, but unfastening their capes.
"That went well, I suppose." Wood let out a sigh and light his pipe.
The human nodded, "Well, at least Shanny laughed at my jokes, though I can't say I'm a good nobleman, sir."
"Oh hush, John. You're a good man, and I expect you'll do good as Colonial Secretary."
"But sir, I'm a first time minister, I've no real experience with colonial administration."
"And in full confidence, John, I've never run a country before." The two laughed and then looked out the window as the train chugged along the edge of the Tarn.

In Princess Anne Park, the Countess Lashershire and the Prince Richard sat at a small table in the gardens. A fountain on their right and walls of flowers on their left. On the table was a metal board with a large hill-scape and an urban patch. They were each placing small miniature pewter pieces on the board. A small metal arm that stood up and hovered over the board projected a light over the board, seeming to animate the metal soldiers and make them look alive.
"Alright, highness. As you're the prince, I'll let you be Bezannia. And hm... I'll be... for the sake of controversy, the confederates."
"Taking your husband's side I see, traitor?" The Prince chuckled as the two started moving pieces. Many minutes passed before the pieces started shooting one another.
"Oh, my dear prince. You've exposed your left flank, ever so tantalizing for these tank regiments over here. But have you accounted for that? Or was this a misstep?" Richard crossed his arms and leaned back.
"Hm... Ignoring the air of smug coming from you, I'll pretend I can't see your face and send the column in." The tanks began moving towards the gap in the left flank, but a Automatonic Knight armed with a large cannon acting as a sniper and concealed by buildings destroyed the lead tank, blocking the path the tanks were taking. An infantry regiment suddenly turned and began approaching the panicked tanks. "Oh? Sending infantry to destroy hover tanks?" The tanks swiftly wiped out the approaching infantry. "Remember, highness. Other nations do not use or have tanks like us. A directionless Bezannian tank if swarmed by infantry will be destroyed, but a hover tank like these will swiftly destroy infantry attacks. You must use your knights or a well supported assault force to dismantle them." Richard sighed and kept playing, eventually standing up.
"Well, Jane, you win again."
Chelsmby laughed and stood up, "One day, my prince, you'll beat me. But remember, these war games are not a substitution for the real thing," The two began walking through the gardens, "has your mother approved a tutorship on Huron yet?" The prince shook his head no. "I see, well perhaps next month. I'll see you get a bunk there yet!"
Richard smiled "A bunk? It better be a commander's quarters, nobility like me deserve it!"
"Oh do you? Well as a commonborn, it's my job to teach you highborns that in this universe nobody cares what shade your fur is, or how you take your tea. People care about your character and the strength of your convictions. And politeness never killed anyone." The two laughed as they continued to walk.

-

From beyond the reaches of starlight, deep underground, motions were set in place that would cause calamity. In the tearoom of the Hysebarrow Prince Solomon sat, on the train from Dunkleshire to Saranshire the PM and his new cabinet minster were being served refreshments, and in the gardens of the palace the Prince Richard and Countess Lashershire were walking. At Northcastle University, a measctha and fatimazda were smoking cigarettes as a machine nearby was ticking. But when the ticking got faster and faster and faster, both suddenly jumped up. One ran for a phone and the other to the machine. But it was too late. A great and terrible rumbling was suddenly heard all throughout Saranshire and its surrounding boroughs. People in the streets stopped to look around. Gazing at the sky wondering what all the terrible noise was about. The Prince Solomon looked up from his tea and letter, standing he approached the large windows of the room. Gazing down and out at the city. PM Wood sat up from his seat and looked to his minister, the two exchanging confused statements. Lady Chelmsby and the Prince Richard rushing to the open part of the park, a large grassy lawn where they could also peer down on Saranshire.

What came next was what could only be described as surreal, massive rolling waves seemed to transform the surface of the planet into an ocean. As buildings suddenly rose and fell. These rolling waves continuing until some buildings simply collapsed under the rapid movement. In the streets people dashed for cover as cars suddenly stopped and trollies came off their rails, screeching into nearby obstacles. The Prince Solomon was thrown from his feet as the glass or other easily breakable items in the room came crashing down around him. Lady Chelmsby forced Richard to the ground just as the shaking started. The two laying back up in the grass waiting for the shaking to end. The train PM Wood was on shook terribly, and the two had taken cover under a table bolted to the floor. The car rattled and doors slammed open and shut. A terrible metal rattling filling the room as the coupling links on the train struggled to stay together.

The moment the shaking seemed to stop, servants rushed into the Prince's tearoom and grabbed him by the arms. Picking him up and beginning to carry him off before he came to his feet.
"Your Imperial Highness, we must get you to a safe place, please." The prince fixed his jacket and hurriedly followed the servants.
Just outside, Chelmsby stood with Richard. "Are you ok you, highness?"
"Yes, yes... Just a bit spooked." Servants and guards suddenly came running across the field to the pair.
"Your Imperial Highness, My Lady, are you hurt?"
Richard spoke, "No. We're quite fortunate to have been in the field."
"Lady Chelmsby, we must apologize but the Prince must be evacuated to a secure location."
She nodded and brushed the grass from her tunic, "Carry on, soldier. Moon save you. Till next time, Your Imperial Highness." Chelmsby bowed at her neck. Richard nodded in return and walked off briskly with his guards. Chelmsby started walking towards the entrance of the palace, where her aides where.
Prince Solomon and Richard met at a small side entrance under a formal driveway. Surrounding the Imperial Car were Cavalier Guards and an armed escort. The two princes got into the car and it quickly sped down Aeldwon Hill. But once the motorcade reached the roads, it was worse for the crew. Much of the cobblestone streets were cracked, massive craters forming under some spots and in a few spots fire shooting out of the ground where gas lines ran. But regardless of the collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and cars that filled it, the armed escort made a mad dash across the city to evacuate the princes from the immediate danger of the tectonic vibrations. Their car reached a large open field just outside Caraffire Palace in Constitution Park. Where the car boarded the Imperial Yacht. The ship quickly casting off from the park, hovering just above the city for now.

In the PM's train, Wood-Josiah and John Mayhew stood from under the table. A steward swiftly entered the train and ran to the two, "Sirs, are you alright?"
"Yes, yes... fine. Little brushed from the shaking, but fine. John?"
"I think I'm fine, how's the train?"
"Sirs we simply must evacuate the train. Unfortunately the locomotive was derailed, I urge you to please continue on foot and make for shelter!"
Wood nodded and looked to John, "Ready for an evening stroll?" The two opened the cabin of their car and stepped down from the train. They quickly started moving along the train, running along the gravel rocks towards Saranshire. But as they rounded the last leg of the Tarn, the warm orange evening sky was being blotted out by black smoke and embers. A fire had broken out along the middle of the city somewhere and was now growing. The faint shimmer of the blaze crested the tops of buildings occasionally, perhaps revealing how serious the fire was. Even standing on a train track, some twenty miles from the entrance to the city and the fire was still visible.

-

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Sir Francis Lloyd and the IBC's Emergency Tremour Broadcast. Sir Lloyd."
"You'll have to forgive the irregularity of the studio I am in, as this broadcast is being filmed from the affiliate office in Brookborough and not our Saranshire office. Today at 18:37 Imperial Standard Time, a large Tectonic Tremour struck Saranshire and its surrounding Boroughs. An estimated 140,000 people were killed in the events following the Tremour, and still the fire brigade is fighting a massive fire that has swallowed the lower east half of Saranshire. Entire city blocks have been swept away by the calamity, and a great many historic sites here on Bezembay have been damaged. Reports indicate that on the opposite side of the planet in Southelmland and Westbrightshire aftershocks were still being felt until 21:22. The Princes Solomon and Richard were evacuated from Hysebarrow Palace when the event began, but have returned to direct relief and aid efforts. The Premier Minister was en route from the Dunkelshire Port to Saranshire when the tremour began, but was safely escorted by a police river steamer from his train to Saranshire. He has taken temporary shelter in the camp of the medical and fire brigade inside Caraffire Palace where rescue and relief operations are being conducted. As an advisory to all residents of Saranshire, do not go into the streets tonight as many anti-spirit lights will or may not be functioning properly, and to those who have no home, shelter is being offered in Caraffire Palace. Imperial Naval Ships, and Fishing Vessels are lining King Henry Boulevard and shining their floodlights down onto the road to create safe passage, but the constabulary and emergency medical responders will be in short supply due to the loss of life in Saranshire properly. To the residents of the Empire, I say this. We will survive a mere tremour as our species have endured worse. Have faith in your government and empire to begin reconstruction and relief in due time. Stay safe, stay smart, and stay alert. This is Sir Francis Lloyd, trusted reporter and journalist of the empire for over thirty five years, signing off with one last message. Moon Save All of Us. Goodnight."

Iammelon wrote:

Ilox gave a small smile at the compliment given to her about her situation, "Well, it is difficult, but somebody needs to take charge. And whether I like it not, I just happened to be one of the most experienced and prepared officers for the role, which is saying a lot given that I still see myself as unqualified. Guess I'm just stubborn enough." She then listened to the description of this Baroness Fraph, still rolling her eyes at the constant use of the term softskin, but interested in this person she was apparently going to meet. She nodded, "I suppose then it will be quite nice to meet this Baroness Fraph, as she does sound like quite an interesting person. Sensible that I have to meet the leader of your security before any free movement as well, I cannot blame you for being cautious. A simple check-up is a basic and sensible idea, regardless of who one is meeting. Although, you mentioned Apex. I know them, quite well in fact. They were the biggest pirate group I fought before the Civil War in Iammelon, as they come from Iammelon. As such, I have experience with them, so guess then me and this Baroness have a similarity there. Although, if you have encountered their prized cars... What did you do with them? It is an odd question, I am aware, but it is rather important when dealing with Apex. They are quite invested in their cars."

Baron Mithra ship stayed for the moment so that they would escort Ilox's ship to Baroness Fraph's in due time. Once preparations were made of course. Tabbina was starting to like this little softskin for raising to the challenges of command. "If it were not so difficult then the task would not be worth doing no? The role of leader is a difficult and tricky spot to get right. Many can be good or even great leaders, some made into their roles and others it is naturally. But very few are born or become as true leaders. It is a challenge Tabbina aims to rise to one day."

As things in the conversation reach back to Fraph and Apex, Mithra speaks up on the topic of the loot they acquired from those Pirate hooligans and motorheads. "Ah yes, those troublesome vehicles of there's. So fast... What ones we didn't smash up in defending the liveships as they broke on and started to use them as their own personal racetracks, the Splicers of the R&D section have taken apart to see what we could learn from them. There are still two intact cars left I believe, being kept on the Kell of Kell's flagship along with all our more valuable items of interest. The cars themselves... Their methods of propulsion and hardlight constructors has become something the Splicers have taken great interest in. They're eager to hook up similar items to our Pikes, I suppose the closest comparison is a hoverbike, already having great mobility. Another advantage being that we can actually breathe in the ether so we can engage their stupid cars in space and drag them out where their life support can't help them... That was actually largely how we won our last engagement with them. They had no idea we can breathe out there."

Iammelon wrote:

Luckily for Mayflower, Rauus seemed to be alright, getting up and straightening his back. He gave a nod to Mayflower, appreciating her little attempt to help, and then went over to treat the unhealthy spirit, leaning down next to her and putting a hand on her shoulder. Zia was still immensely confused, but she did seem to be calming down, just trying to figure things out. Just shaking her head and mumbling, comforted seemingly by both Mayflower's words and the simple presence of Rauus, and so she avoided being consumed by anger. No, that would be Masquif, who's spiritual form began to glow dark red as he swelled with hatred at the defiant Ialao. Unlike her, he was a rather powerful being, so there was a small shockwave as his face curled up with rage and he yelled out, "Impudent, foolish, arrogant! You damned slaves really do have nothing going on in your worthless heads! And you find it a wonder that you are rightfully judged as little more than animals... Fine, I will tell you, and then maybe you will obtain an ounce of sense in your servile minds! This thing I am trying to control is a Soulus Bomb, the weapon that wiped out this world. If I do not control it, it will detonate again, as it does every seven days. An early detonation will kill you and prolong my imprisonment, so there's your self interest. The thing you are trying to protect is a result of this weapon and its function, so stop bringing it closer or it will go off again!"

Rauus grunted, standing up again and speaking up to the Psion, emulating Mayflower's defiant tone, "Apparently Eskalivi are just as terrible at listening as they are at basic ethics, because that's not nearly enough of an explanation! What is Zia? What is that bomb? And why are you apparently 'imprisoned' by it? If it is a simple magical bomb, I do not see why it would cause a phenomenon like a Ghost World!" He then turned and gave a smile to Mayflower, proud of her for standing up in the first place, and getting the Psion to actually start explaining things.

The Psion was clearly displeased, but with a glance to Zia, he snorted and spoke again, "Fine, damnable insects. You want the full explanation? Let us see if your formulaic minds can understand. This weapon, the Soulus Bomb, is not merely a magical explosive. It is much, much more than that. With a weapon like this, one can consume every soul on a planet! Unstoppable and inescapable, every soul on a planet where this bomb detonates is consumed by the bomb, in a glorious fashion. But such a weapon cannot be built by traditional means, it does not come from mortal factories or even magical forges. No, to create such a weapon, a soul is required. Only a Soul of such psionic power, such age, such emotion and memories can be used... Such as the soul of an Elder Psion. A soul, just. Like. Mine! You wonder why this bomb imprisons me? Because I am its fuel source! I was betrayed, my very soul snatched from me and put into this weapon! And the betrayer is there!" He pointed to Zia, anger in his face, "Or at least, his soul is within that monster! The thing you call 'Zia' is not just a soul. It is many, countless souls. That beast is the combined souls of every single being that was on this planet when the Soulus Bomb was detonated, smashed into one. They are prisoners, just like me. Additional fuel so the bomb can retain its power! Do you understand now? Are your small minds able to comprehend?! That beast is countless souls, so much concentrated power, and its memories fight within it for dominance! The personalities of countless souls, so suddenly thrown together, grapple for dominance. But over the many hundreds of years, some have come to the top. And inevitably, the winner will not be some deer, or a mutt, or a cow. It will be the very being who betrayed me, Alsimx'Ran! Are you so willing to let that bastard betrayer of mine go free?!"

Mayflower tried processing the new information calmly, though instead of panicking she appeared to actually calm down, to the point of feeling that the Psion was just panicking and too afraid to realize that his actions were the reason this repeating of events occured. She closed up to "Zia", patting the altered beast lovingly as she turned her head to the worried Psion "From what little I have studied about the Psions, I've come to realize that you are among the most oblivious of cultures ..you are so obsessed with accuracy and predictions of results that you completely disregard the possibility of chance and miracles, both of which quite hilariously tend to wreck your plans ...tell me, how is it that the great Psions could not see their possible defeat by the Nebula? Sure, Iammelon had a small chance, but you failing to see even the possibility, this helped us overcome you. You underestimate all other sentients and overestimate yourselves, because in the end, you too are nothing but a stronger mortal, but a mortal all the same in spirit to me and Raaus and this fella over there." She then turned to Raaus looking slightly worried, but still calm enough "Do you think we could help Zia stay Zia with some effort?" then back at the Psion, though this time talking in a less aggressive manner "And as for you, could you stop bringing about your own doom? Have you even thought of a way to try do things differently? Or is your Psion brain not advanced enough to think out of the space shuttle? If you can - and I'm certain that you can since Delviatu has graced all sentients with the ability of cognitive thinking - If you can, you could help us for once bring conclusion to an old conflict, In Zia's mind and in this planet." The deerwoman quickly turned her attention to Zia, trying to calm the beast down and make her feel more comfortable until the Psion or Raaus could find a solution.

-

Iammelon wrote:

The inefficient human car drove away soon after Nia and Cendri got out, as it had more work to do elsewhere on the planet. The driver would not soon get his replacement, so he'd have to survive for now with that truly deviant designed vehicle. Regardless, Cendri nodded his head to Nia, "Yes, is modern building, very important. Is police station for the area, houses rapid response groups as well as serving as the community armory. A central location for defense efforts in case of attack! Also location to give reports on unusual activity, such as street attack. Come, we go in." He then moved towards the large doors of the police station, which were of course reinforced metal doors, and he waited in front of it for a moment. Waving to a camera, the doors soon opened, allowing entry into the station. The first room was a simple lobby of sorts, with a waiting area and a desk where the front-Trike patiently waited. Cendri waved to them, and then moved on to grab a piece of paper. It was a paper one used to report an incident and record their own statements on the matter, and Cendri sat down at the lobby to start writing it, but as he did so he looked to Nia and spoke again, "Nia showed combat abilities, was impressive. Has that one taken warrior lessons?"

The two suited Watrike patiently waited for her to finish her bites, as they of course understood the necessity of a good snack. They then nodded and followed Ani to her office, observing her rather odd set of literature, those would need to be addressed for sure. Asmalia took the offered seat, placing her briefcase down. Fenfuos however did not sit on the chairs, and remained standing near the door, arms crossed as he looked about in observance. It was rather clear that Asmalia was the talker her, as she soon responded to the doctor, "Ani Cerni, yes. Smart one seems to have figured out why these ones are here. DNA sampling has made these ones require an investigation, as yours is inconsistent. And these ones know you hold a connection to certain special one, it is time to explain to these Drake servants." She looked over to her bookshelf again, narrowing her eyes at the big green book, "Interest in Winged One is notable, but this one does not recognize mannequin book. Not in local library, nor an official medical book. No Species of Mannequins is on record, does the Ani know of one?" The Purple Watrike did certainly seem curious, although also notably was cautious with Ani, due to having read the reports of what Nia had accomplished on her own. Fenfuos didn't seem quite as interested however, as the Red Watrike almost looked impatient, oddly enough not taking joy in his work.

Nia's interest on the beautiful grey concrete building was cut short by Cendri's question, a damn shame too since she could admire these blank walls for hours "Hmm? Oh no! This one enters a state that cannot be understood ..it is as if this one's mind becomes the background while another more beastly self takes over. This one knows very well who is friend or foe when that happens, but acts very differently ..focuses entirely on the evil ones at hand and gauges them while avoiding hurting friendlies at any cost ...dirtying them not included" She relaxed at her back thinking it over a little more "Though this one did fight over machine and biological foes in laboratory frequently, at first this one would think how to defeat foes and do badly ..but slowly other self took over in such situations and showed utmost success, so this one did what is natural and chose to do what allows for better results by letting this one free. This helped other self take over easily and the more Nia got used to it ..the more easy was for this one to maintain both simultaneously; one in background, one in front!"

Ani sighed, feeling that those two or any other watrike could really understand her viewpoint, but she would try "This one is indeed related to other watrike you probably found, she is this one's clone and daughter and a proof of what Watrike are able to become if only care more. As for the book, this one wrote it ..the title is very human and needless, sadly even with that it failed to impress non-Watrike scientists." She tapped her fingers on the desk then pointed at Asmalia "This one seems to be one with very very good cognitive abilities, so this one will explain in hopes of this one understanding" after sighing a second time she laid back her head and looked Asmalia in the eyes "Imagine, a species so strong and easy to change, that they could inhabit every bit of this realm, fight off all evils and create a civilization devoid of greed, very bad war and meanness. This species is these ones, but these ones are also greedy in their own way ...Watrike are noble, watrike are smart and above silly things like velvet dresses, but watrike also are silly, very silly and greedy fro pride. Without Tyfrondor these ones are doomed, more doomed than even the deviant species and these ones also cause problems for the Grand One ..more than these ones help solve. Need this one point at Gradrix to make point? No, is evident; Watrike are not perfect, which annoys this one as these ones have the ability to be... ..and if Watrike better themselves, these ones could actually help Tyfrondor instead be burden and annoying little trikelings wrecking the Grand Drake's dreams each day. This one will not lie, is sadly deviant, but deviance helped see bigger picture and helped this one truly love Tyfrondor not of biological reasons, but of ideals ..and for this, this one is not ashamed at all." she sighed even deeper for a third time, starting to think it would be a bad idea explaining, but she would go through her explanation ..she had remained silent too long "Anyway, this one studied a lot, she studied all relative science on species. Very, very, very big headaches were had, but realized that this one could change Watrike ..and for the very better! See, this one tried her best in creating a new watrike ...a half-deviant one; One that would accept authority, but of only good leader, like Tyfrondor! A new watrike stronger, more agile and productive, but also one with ideals ..because either non-deviants like to hear it or not, it is only very, very, very good luck that had Tyfrondor become our protector and not some evil, very bad other one. And if that happened, Watrike would treat that other one the same way Watrike treat Tyfrondor, or remain alone and fight like in very, very, very bad war - is biology! ..and that is very, very bad and what this one would like to change and did. These ones may apprehend now and ask more in prison cell, but this one would hope to talk to Grand One even once ...this one believes Great Granion could understand this one's hopes and dreams."

-

Iammelon wrote:

Mica's rather overt and casual technique for staying hidden while being in plain sight worked out rather well. Her loud humming and completely casual demeanor meant that all the Confederate Soldiers say her and took notice, but with how obvious she was being, they assumed she was handling something official and moved on with their own duties. Others who were a bit more suspicious noticed those less caring folks just ignoring Mica in turn, and they felt weird about questioning something that everyone else seemed to just treat as normal. And so, they too just moved on with their own business. And so, Mica could comfortably cut the fence in peace, entirely undisturbed by her enemies who simply let it happen, all because she was in the right uniform and she was too openly normal to be suspicious. In time, she'd get through the fence and make a sizable enough hole. She could see just beyond the fence, hiding in the shrubbery, were Creerisk and Wilioa, waiting for their opportunity to use the new opening. And soon after, as if on que, there was a massive explosion further into the base. An arsenal building had gone up in flames, and all the confederates turned their attention to that. With this cover, Wilioa and Creerisk both ran over, moving through the cut fence to get into the compound, joining up with Mica. Creerisk looked around, and a dark grin appeared on his face, grim purpose in his voice as he spoke up, "Delviatu calls, this compound must be returned to nature. Rapidly. Let us begin the holy work, with joy." He then started laughing manically, picking out detonation charges from his belt and beginning to simply toss them at every building nearby.

With a much cooler head, Wilioa looked to Mica, "This one thanks you for entrance opening. Will take gunpowder fanatic and rendezvous with Selequ, and we shall make distraction via reactor assault. Good luck at the commander center with Zirona. Working time is now." She then powered up her plasma rifle, quickly firing a single shot at a Confederate Soldier who was about to yell out about the intruders, silencing him in an instant. It was rather difficult to yell with a hole in your neck after all. The Watrike then calmly advanced forward, far less clumsy in the battlefield, with Creerisk following behind, yelling prayers as he threw more bombs. Through the flames and chaos, Zirona had approached the Commander Center door. By the time Mica arrived, she was busy holding a knife to a human soldier's neck with one hand and her other hand channeling psionic energy into his head, forcing him to spill various access codes to avoid the two possible forms of violent death.

Mica nodded at Wilioa with a smile full of determination "For zhe Union and Tyfrondor President! Be safe." then proceeded to make a run for the command center. When she arrived her smile had dropped, she know looked quite uncomfortable about what she planned to do ..but in her mind, this was what should be done; with Zirona out of the way, the Union could have a truly loyal intelligence agency devoid of personal agendas or a cult of personality. She approached Zirona cautiously "Hey, be done wish zhe guard, ve have to get out of here quick ...did you find anyzhing of importance on zhose terminals? If yes, put zhem in zhis infostick in here" she gave the Watrike a small blue-colored piece mechanism and went to the door watching the chaos outside while holding her weapon tightly in case some intruder showed up ...a soldier tried approaching but she immediately yelled at him "Go after zhe bombers! I've got zhe situation under control here, no damn excalivi vill pass zhis door!" It was at this time though that she brought a small button from her suit holding it tight but hesitating to press it.

-

Iammelon wrote:

Zenos did find it rather fortunate that the Elder Lord went out for the walk, as he was a bit disruptive there, although Zenos couldn't blame him too much down to his age and likely high amounts of collected pride over his years. All the same, it was probably better for his own sake that Old Lord Paxyan stayed out of this talk, he'd get more information that way. His daughter certainly seemed more diplomatic. And as he listened to first the Fergrangal and then the Trottandan, he realized the two he was talking two were some rather important families. These weren't some minor worlds, he was effectively speaking with two major industrial families. Ruadya clearly provided many important metals, since while Arcalite took all the fame, an Empire could not run on just one metal. Titanium was an important metal, and likely far more important to the industrial complex than the gold was. Quite notable. Meanwhile Trottanda was the place where all those metals became products, going into factories and coming out as functional things. And, based on Syndana's words, probably also a major world for research and development too, if she was correct about them being the only ones who cared about reason and therefore potentially innovation. Returning to the conversation, Zenos smiled to both of them, "Seems then you two combined are the industrial backbone of this Empire. Both quite valuable worlds, and it seems you are also both some of the families most open with your stances and beliefs. Rather impressive! I'll have to visit both of your worlds sometime soon, although I suspect I shall need to bring a gas mask to both if I want to see the mines and factories that are the pride of the worlds. Although, I hope you are willing to humor some of my curiosities about your two families, as I've noticed some rather standout features and I'd be remiss not to address them." He looked to the Fergrangal first, "I noticed early on at the announcements of my arrival a difference in how your family reacted to me and to the Talmyr. Simple nods to Myrafiora, and bows to me, which I assume is down to my title of Myresenmyr, which I have figured out that your family owes fealty to the Myresenmyr and is not quite as fond as the title of Talmyr. Could you tell me why? As you might have guessed from the pinkish skin, I am missing some context there." And then, Zenos looked to Syndana with his second question, "And for Trottanda, I'd like to ask about something you probably think is rather obvious. Your costume, being more avian than draconic, it stands out. I assume this has something to do with the culture of Trottanda?"
As one Taurus found relief and peace, the other grew more annoyed. Sadly she was ordered not to crush any skulls, so that option was off the table. His offer was insulting on its own, as she could tell he didn't have what it takes anyways. Although that gave her an idea, as she then gave a hand signal to another close-by Rangian, a male Taurus of considerable size even for his own kind. They moved to swap positions, and the Male stood in front of the Ghashyr sailor, looking down at him and smiling, speaking simply, "So somebody thinks they can run with the Rangians, hm?" The Female watched from afar, both to keep an eye on her own position and see how the sailor handled this.

The Fergrangal warrior-princess felt extreme proud overwhelming her being as Zenos asked her the age-old Talmyr question ...a question Fergrangals loved to answer at, wether asked about it or not -also an answer most Ghashyr had heard too many times and would groan upon hearing for the ningth million time- "Well, my lord ..it is simple, we Fergranglas dissolved the malevolent taggaren Talmyrox to never be formed again and we were never conquered by this 'new Talmyrox' ..we agreed however that our domain lies within a united empire of our species, we are thus not part of the Talmyrox and hopefully never will be. After all, no matter if a Talmyr is a hero or a villain, Azgor Tal is above petty political positions ..it is quite the hubris to claim divine rule in such a way as the position of Talmyr suggests. Of course all others disagree, and we respect that, but they must also respect our position in accordance with the Trinidax treaties. To be short, we have a certain level of autonomy invested to us by the very fact that we remain unconquered and will not bow to a Talmyr but only an Emperor." Syndana was quick to smirk and humph at the Fergrangal's expense "Yes, indeed, you've only been bowing to Talmyrs for a mere thousand years..." this however angered the young Fergrangal lady that proceeded to use some Urvan words that Zenos was unfamiliar with while proceeding to point out in half-coherent angry quickspeech that all those Talmyrs were also Emperors.
Syndana retaining her calm, prompted to ingore the Fergrangal's rage and simply answer her part of the question "Anyway, now that your majesty knows of the story that Fergrangals like to bombard every new acquaintance with, let me answer your more interesting part of your querry!" she pointed at her beak proudly and made a small wag of her wings "yes, it is very much different and pretty no? Much like Trottanda, we're also very much different than most Ghashyr if you haven't noticed. We have a different culture which we try to sustain against the wishes of everyone that is not us. For one, the bird symbolizes something greater than dragons ..dragons are mere mortals, the Ironbird is not. They were the angel sent by Azgor Tal to save Trottanda in its time of need during the unspoken times; part-machine and part-organic, the angel taught us that Azgor Tal does not only exist within life, but also life's lifeless creations; machinery and even man-made intelligence." The Fergrangal's time had arrived to snark as she gnarled her teeth and poked hard at the much less intimidating Trottandan's bird suit "You're HERETICS is what you're saying ..by the prophet's word, if it wasn't for the lenience laws I'd have you skewered alive for insulting the holy light with your fantasies you little tech-freak" Syndana whimpered and backed down to her corner, shoving her face again in the telecom device and mumbling "barbarians" very quietly.

In the meanwhile a quite drunk and uncomfortable Myrafiora was approached by the master of ceremonies in the back, causing her to be visibly frustrated and trying to find Zenos quickly in the crowd, often stumbling upon a few lords who could do nothing but fake being awfully sorry for being in her way ..the reason would be revealed not long after as the fire-fountains emerged and all guests were called to form a circle around the main fire positioned by servants in the middle of the ballroom. All stood silent as the master of ceremonies appeared from one of the top balconies "As in ancient times, we shall revere the symbolic dance of Ayra and Galan! Fire and Wind! The Dance of the Dragons shall commence to commemorate our dragonborn existence in this world of Light! We are given Life, so let us celebrate it and glorify the one who provides it and our good leader under them! Praised be Azgor Tal! Thousand Glories to the Talmyr ...her holy greatness, Talmyr Myrafiora IV, seed of light, commander of the faithful ..you shall lead us to dance as you shall lead us in life and to battle ..our Emperor Zenos, betrothed to her shall be her dance mate ..may I personally say, soon her mate in more than the dance and hopefully with many heirs to bring glory to our realm! Vhin ta Talmyr!"
Myrafiora after stumbing on one too many lords finally found the human emperor of Shyr in his dark corner with his peculiar company "Oh T-TTal ...oh b-bloody Tal. Quick, give me your hand ...we're doomed. Just ...flap your ..your things ..ehh, wings, and jump opposite the way I jump ...fυck."

Myrafiora dragged Zenos in the center of the ballroom next to the giant fire-fountain as the lords repeated "Vhin ta Talmyr" (some less loudly than others, thus getting glares from Admiral Haarti who was keeping notes in a piece of scroll). As soon as the chanting stopped, Myrafiora made a slight bow with her head at the star of Azgor Tal on the top of the ceiling and turned to Zenos "Remind me to ban dances when this is over..." she turned to the crowd, looking extremely pale and sick "I ..uhhh ...I ...hmm ...let the dance ..commence?" as soon as she spoke, music started to play loudly and many people formed couples, while others formed groups in small circles ..interestingly, the Fergrangal princess and Syndana unable to find other willing partners begrudgingly decided to dance with each other instead.
Myrafiora was not really a good dancer but being intoxicated slightly helped, she would make a jump left then two jumps right in a circular movement while holding Zenos' hand and flapping her other wing ...trying to both not fall and lead Zenos who obviously had no idea of how to dance this old Ghashyr piece. As the pace got faster and the tone louder, the couples got closer together, and it appeared as that the final part of the dance was for the two to hold each other and make rounds as one while flapping their free hand-wing.
The master of ceremonies loudly proclaimed "Such grace! As if dragons are alive in this hall! It is time for the firejumps! Her holy greatness may lead the way, if she may"
Myrafiora was all sweaty and really in a bad shape, it seemed as if the master of ceremonies wanted her dead. However, when she looked at Zenos' eyes with the two having been really close for a while now, she felt a relief and a tender warm feeling within her "Oh what the void... ..let's jump the fire ..but I do not have much energy, you'll have to put more strength."

In the background and a little before the dance begun the brave suitor of the Taurus-lady bumped his chest in defiance of her snark "I will handle the Rangians and an etherstorm too if this means I shall win your heart even for this single night, beautiful war-maiden! Give me this dance and I, Seridhor Qaatha, will endure anything your officers wish upon my family's honor..."
-

Iammelon wrote:

Sofya's Taurus minder came over at the Princess's request, coming over to Sofya's side. Appa was not particularly interested in this exchange, but of course she was bound to support her charge. That and as a proud Rangian, it wasn't like she was particularly fond of Anubites herself, "Certainly more worthwhile to be the one written about, rather than being the poor sod who has to write a story they'll never live for themselves!" She then grinned, while the Anubite rolled his eyes, having heard that particular insult plenty of times before. The Jackal spoke rather calmly in response, "And if you actually did some reading, you'd know how tired that idea is. Plenty of rulers have said it, and they don't even get chapters in the textbooks. But I suppose I will enjoy adding your name to the long list of Talmyrs and Zantine Emperors, one more among countless many. I wonder if my ancient spirit will even remember this in the times to come. Although, on that note, clearly this topic bores you, so how about I move onto something more interesting. Perhaps a summary of what happened to the smart lizards on this planet?"

The two Heordals marched themselves into the cave, rather interested in seeing what a Valx Cave would look like in comparison to a Heordal one. It was of particular interest to Ezron, as he was a Cave Dragon himself so he had seen plenty of caves and had his preferences. Getting inside, the Red Dragon was rather impressed with the style, enjoying the clawmarks, tunnels, and of course the gold. While Ezron was no greedy Drake, he still appreciated the value of a good horde for a good cave. It really wasn't home without it. Tarral meanwhile liked the banners and plaques, although as a Village Dragon herself she wasn't all too fond of the tunnels and cave system, it feel rustic to her. But as a more business minded Dragoness, Tarral could much more appreciate the sheer display of wealth more than Ezron. So she gave a nod in satisfaction at it, as it was an acceptable haul for a Dragon Clan of such apparent status as Myrsa's.
Sarxaxa's fiery arrival did surprise both Heordals, but they calmed down quickly as they remembered that Myrsa had siblings and wasn't the only Valx here. That and Tarral noted that this Dragoness was smaller, likely less developed due to being trapped in this cave all her life, and so she wasn't as threatened. It was certainly a notable introduction, and Tarral was the first to speak. Albeit because she yelled in fluster at Myrsa as she ran off, "I am not in denial, licentious beast! Control your lust!" With a grunt, she then turned to Sarxaxa, recovering her composure and speaking plainly, "Well met then, Sarxaxa! As Myrsa said, I am Lady Tarral, and this is Ezron. We are here to help you. We brought a cargo ship as well as medical supplies, with which we can transport your bodies, possessions, and even life support! A Draconic doctor has come as well! Should find a way to help with this life threatening condition Myrsa mentioned, one way or another. Personally I am quite happy to have this interesting chance to find other Dragons!"

The next to speak was Ezron, who of course was more measured, "Well met, Lady Sarxaxa! I do recognize your name as part of the nobility and as controlling of the banks. As Tarral said, we have brought means to assist. Which includes moving your horde, if you wish. I can quite understand the desire to keep one's gold in their cave of residence. Although, I must ask, why are you currently in your Dragon body? I understand from Myrsa that you control both, but is it not dangerous to go into the Dragon form while your Ghashyr body is out and about?"

Sofya hugged Appa joyfuly and stayed by her side as she too belittled the annoying know-it-all of a jackal, snarkily commenting back at his presumption of her future rule "It's not gonna be a small chapter if I have a say in it ..and besides, I'm the first dual princess, this alone secures it, you're just jealous! She released Appa from her hug and continued the walk "And anyhow, I know everything about the lizards ..yes ..I certainly ..uhh do! They had a text based on claw scratches and worshipped fire ..then they decided to rule over humans and then we fought them and freed ourselves ...then some evil order decided to slay them all in really damn old times, which is extremely awful, but we have come to acknowledge that. I personally like dragons a lot, they can fly even and breathe fire ..I think, yes?" She looked at Appa for confirmation, as if she was giving a test at school and Appa was her schoolmate.

Sarxaxa remained silent observing the two dragons from claws to wings while boasting a very judemental expression "...you're a bit larger." slightly annoyed at the fact but acknowledging it, she humphed and proceeded to talk back more approprietly "Nevermind that, we will accept your noble help ...but I will check the hoard twice and I want all of it if I'm to move out of here. You can certainly understand this is very important; a dragon without a hoard is like a human without their silly little tools and more so. I also want to be certain that we will not be left in Heord without someone to explain how to fare in this weird planet of yours ..but nevermind, I can overcome all if I am to defend my bonds and hoard! I'll rip and tear any foolish dragonling that disrespects me, I assure you." She then turned at Tarral intensely, again in a rather awkward silence "...really larger. Hmmm..."
In the back and from far away a young dragoness with her right wing extended fully walked forward slowly upon the countless gold pieces that made the most beautiful tingling sound as they were trumbled by the dragon's paws ..it seemed as if behind the wing there was another dragon, though it was quite hard to see beneath the makeshift veil of the wing. Suddenly the young unknown dragoness groaned loudly "Come on aunt Myrsa! For how long do I have to hold it up? For Saints' sake.." Myrsa's voice could be heard in a frustrated tone behind the wing "NO! keep it up you little lazy gecko ..she looks at us!"
Sarxaxa groaned in a very similar manner to the young dragoness, obviously hinting to their relation "This is my daughter, Ymira ..and the talking wing is my sister's real form. MYRSA quit this foolishness and let my daughter alone if you please, or I'll smack you."
Regardless of what anyone wished, Ymira was surprised enough to see the two stranger dragons and dropped her wing, galloping happily towards the newcomers ..revealing Myrsa's dragonic form that quickly had covered herself with both of her wings, looking like some short of taco that was also whimpering "No, no, no! ...this is awful, Tarral just turn away ..please."
Sarxaxa face-winged but she did seem to be more sad than annoyed; for all their disagreements she still cared for her sister "Come on Myrsa, stop being like that..."
While Myrsa did a good job of covering herself with her wings, it was quite clear why she didn;t want to be seen ..her wings alone were in a bad state, their membranes almost ripped in pieces, while the form behind them appeared to be almost ghostly and too weak.

Iammelon wrote:

Ilox could not disagree with Tabbina there, giving a nod and adding her own insight, "I suppose you got that one right. Hence why there can be many sergeants and captains in an army, as that only requires good leaders. But true, great leaders are uncommon. So there isn't very many generals and admirals in an army, as very few are capable of such a height. Being willing to rise to that challenge however is part of being a true leader. Unwillingness is something I know well. There is one other commander, same rank as I, by the name of Commander Cain. I believe he is in fact a far greater leader and warrior than me, but he will not become an admiral or general. He has all that it takes I believe, but he is unwilling. And so he will never go there, simply down to the refusal to rise to that challenge. Perhaps because he simply does not want to, I cannot really say."

Then Ilox chuckled, as that situation she could believe, "They're an odd bunch, a combination of pirate and racer. Sometimes I am not sure which thing they value more, but I can guess that's an internal divide over what the priority is. As for the tech in those cars, I wish you luck. We've been dealing with them for a while but their technology is oddly elusive. The Omnipo scientists couldn't quite figure it out, they've made it rather hard to understand. Regardless, perhaps we can help with that. You do have the advantage of not needing life support, which is handy. Although let's hope Apex doesn't figure that out and try to do some recruitment. Being Iammelonian, they don't really care about species, and they're always willing to extend invitations to folks getting into piracy, and Apex particularly likes getting folk who want to go fast. Racing and all that. All the same, I do thank you for the preparations, as we cannot breathe ether naturally, not without suits. My armor can do it, although that feature is damaged right now, haven't had the chance to repair it."

Tabbina listened to what Ilox had to say, and she had to agree that not many generals or admirals will arise with traits of a desirable leader. Though both she and Mithra listened to what she had to say about this 'Commander Cain' and his unwillingness to rise to take command despite Ilox's belief that he would make a far greater leader than her. It is not unheard of for such things to happen, people unwilling to tap into the potential they know they have... But is this down to reluctance? Not wanting to shoulder the burdens of command and the hardships that come with it? Or does he not want his scope to broaden, far more pleased with keeping those under his direct command alive instead of having to worry about the lives and functionality of fleets of ships, people, armoured units and assets under his beck and call. "Such things are not uncommon. This Cain may not be wishing to accept the burden or your position. Or Cain has suffered crushing defeat while trying to lead large numbers before. Uncertain, Tabbina will not judge. But he may have his chance out here whether he wishes it or not. The East is not as cushy as the West."

Hearing the possibility to work together on understanding the strange and complicated machines that were designed to be so despite their simple functions. "I'm sure the splicers wouldn't mind working on this with your scientists. I'll bring this up with Fraph, along with the fact that they may try to openly recruit from our numbers. I doubt most would accept seeing as we are just about getting back on our feet... But there are always black sheep that will no doubt jump on the opportunity to return to piracy. It won't be like they'll be able to notice it straight away, we still wear our rebreathers even in space. We just don't have to.. Aah, speaking on preparations. It would seem they are complete. You humans like a nitrogen and oxygen based atmosphere if I remember correctly. It was what those Apex lunatics had on their ship. I'll transmit the coordinates for Fraph's ship over now. I will meet you there to escort you and whoever you bring with you." True to his word, Mithra's ship breaks off as he transmits the coordinates of Fraph's ship as he travels deeper into the flotillas formations. Fraph's ship seemed to be located close to a Liveship close to an asteroid that seemed to have a pretty big mining effort being done on it.

House of vengeance wrote:

Tabbina listened to what Ilox had to say, and she had to agree that not many generals or admirals will arise with traits of a desirable leader. Though both she and Mithra listened to what she had to say about this 'Commander Cain' and his unwillingness to rise to take command despite Ilox's belief that he would make a far greater leader than her. It is not unheard of for such things to happen, people unwilling to tap into the potential they know they have... But is this down to reluctance? Not wanting to shoulder the burdens of command and the hardships that come with it? Or does he not want his scope to broaden, far more pleased with keeping those under his direct command alive instead of having to worry about the lives and functionality of fleets of ships, people, armoured units and assets under his beck and call. "Such things are not uncommon. This Cain may not be wishing to accept the burden or your position. Or Cain has suffered crushing defeat while trying to lead large numbers before. Uncertain, Tabbina will not judge. But he may have his chance out here whether he wishes it or not. The East is not as cushy as the West."

Hearing the possibility to work together on understanding the strange and complicated machines that were designed to be so despite their simple functions. "I'm sure the splicers wouldn't mind working on this with your scientists. I'll bring this up with Fraph, along with the fact that they may try to openly recruit from our numbers. I doubt most would accept seeing as we are just about getting back on our feet... But there are always black sheep that will no doubt jump on the opportunity to return to piracy. It won't be like they'll be able to notice it straight away, we still wear our rebreathers even in space. We just don't have to.. Aah, speaking on preparations. It would seem they are complete. You humans like a nitrogen and oxygen based atmosphere if I remember correctly. It was what those Apex lunatics had on their ship. I'll transmit the coordinates for Fraph's ship over now. I will meet you there to escort you and whoever you bring with you." True to his word, Mithra's ship breaks off as he transmits the coordinates of Fraph's ship as he travels deeper into the flotillas formations. Fraph's ship seemed to be located close to a Liveship close to an asteroid that seemed to have a pretty big mining effort being done on it.

Ilox simply shrugged to Tabbina, as it was simply unknown to her, "I haven't a clue really of his reasons. Very good at what he does, far more skilled. But from what I know, he's considered rather apathetic. Doubt it's trauma, he never struck me as the sort. Just a strange mystery, which maybe I'll know the answer to at some point. Cain isn't part of my fleet, he was stationed elsewhere. I have no idea what happened to him after the Civil War, but I wouldn't be surprised if he made it out. He ain't the type to die easy." She then nodded to Mithra, "The offer is there, since we seem to be preparing to work together. Smart I think to start on such things to encourage trust. As for the recruitment, they'll certainly go for those black sheep, as well as any gloryhounds. Apex has a rather particular recruitment base. Anyways, see you soon. I won't be bringing too many with me on the shuttle, so don't worry about that." With that, she closed the communication channel.

Turning to her bridge crew she spoke up, "Grab Maltoi and Sysglow. They'll be coming with me. Otherwise, just hold down the fort while I'm gone." With that, Ilox moved to get to her vessel's hanger. On the way there she met up with the two she had chosen to accompany her. Both were captains, though one was a Marine Captain and the other an Army Captain. Captain Maltoi was the Marine, and he was a Taurus. His own size was what made Ilox used to Tabbina, and it was also no wonder that he was quite good in close quarters combat. The bayonet on the end of his rather enlarged plasma rifle had been used plenty of times. But notably, he was also a capable pilot. Sysglow was not quite as intimidating, as she was just an Ialao. While she was part of the army and had the experience to match, Ilox kept her along primarily because she had technical knowledge, as well as some basic awareness for magic. These two were primarily coming as guards for Ilox, but they had their own skills they could use to help Ilox's case.

In due time, the shuttle launched with these three onboard, heading towards the coordinates given for Fraph's ship. It was interesting to note the large mining effort, but it did make sense. Nomads still needed resources after all, and asteroids had plenty if you were willing to dig.

Honour guard wrote:

Xernus and Zemia departed from the group to go about their newly assigned duties, waving them off before they disappear into the elevator. Mel stood by Tamours side while Sieg settled against the elevators left wall and Yajana stuck by Mierl once the elevator doors closed. Once Tamour started to speak, Sieg looked up to the Dragon before she simply shook her head. "I am not, you don't need to worry yourself on that matter sir. My role in the Queen of Blades forces was more of an all rounder, unlike Melyphis here who was designed to be a lone wolf in comparison." She says as she takes in that he did intent to get her into a position where she could excel. This was ultimately desirable to her seeing as she at least wanted to prove that she was still of some use despite being a much older Broodmother compared to those around her. Though she did note that he mentioned that his own people seemed to be lacking in some way despite being what objectively is the pinnacle of magical power and physical might from what she observed.

Yajana did find this odd as well but she did not know enough about Dragons to say much on the matter. Once he asked is they had any questions. Yajana and Melyphis had nothing to add, Sieg looked like she did have something but mulled on it a moment more before speaking. "Why have you gone so far to do all this for the Zerg? In the eyes of most beings without hiveminds we are seen with contempt, fear or disgust. And they are right to think so, we've ransacked, spoiled and consumed planets, civilisations and peoples of distant stars before we were defeated here at Duxton... Why would you give us a chance like this? We're tainted monsters and were we to look at it objectively, all of us war criminals of the most horrifying kind in in the eyes of any government. So why?" She asked as she looked up at the Dragon. Her kind had done much in their time, they were treacherous, opportunistic and evil... Surely Tamour realised that. He did not strike her as the careless and optimistic type.

Tamour went quiet for a moment, his eyes looked upwards towards the ceiling as he thought over the question. He was considering his answer carefully, as he was indeed not a blind optimist. In time, he looked back down to Sieg and spoke, "To answer that question, I'll give you a brief summary of Iammelonian history. In times past, we were invaded by a species called the Eskavari. They were humanoid aliens, but their appearance is unimportant. What matters is that they ravaged Iammelon, as they were a cruel, slaver Empire that enslaved every species they came across. Their goal was blood, turning any species with compatible blood into cattle, and those without compatible blood would be worked to death. They were quite unconcerned with the idea of making a species extinct, so long as they served their purpose. Quite cruel, and evil monsters who had destroyed plenty of civilizations and killed many people, including many Iammelonians in their invasion. But as we defeated them, Iammelon felt... remorse." He paused for a moment, and then continued, "For with this defeat, the majority of their species died. We learned their reason for why they sought blood, their species was afflicted with a great genetic illness that caused them to fail to produce enough blood for their own bodies. Without other blood, they would suffocate in their own bodies. Unable to cure it, they had turned to fanaticism, treating their illness as a gift and a mission, making them into the evil Iammelon had defeated. With the utter irony being... That Iammelon had the capacity to save them. The medical technology existed to stabilize their condition, and with some additional blood donations, over time a permanent, complete solution certainly could've been developed. But that never came, for thanks to the ferocity with which Iammelon defeated the soldiers and warriors of the Eskavari, their civilians had fled in terror, and succumbed to their condition. The Eskavari died. Some may say they deserved it, thanks to their extreme evil. Tainted monsters and war criminals, most could agree."

After a pause, he then shook his head, "For my part, I disagree. I consider it a tragedy that they died, unable to be saved when the chance was there after their defeat. If they had been saved, it is quite likely you would have seen Eskavari soldiers on Duxton. One might have been your handler! For my part, I am sad that this could not come to be. If I could go back and alter the course of history, I would change this great tragedy. For it would be good for all. Iammelon would gain new people, further proving its ideals of caring for values above species, and the Eskavari would have a new life, free of their former curse. Their legacy of evil would be overturned in time by the good they could achieve. But perhaps that is just conjecture... Where do you stand, Sieg?"

Honour guard wrote:

She certainly couldn't complain about his handiwork as he starts to reach her waist, working away at the stress that has built up there got afew rather happy noises out of the Hybrid despite her rather down tone moments before. "I don't think the failed ones were as strong as me or my brothers though. That's why they were seen as failures in the eyes of the Emperor and the Lord High Researchers. They might have only been slightly stronger than the average Athailian soldier, though I only have one point of reference. I did meet one before the planet fell, she was a failure from my brother Lyon's line. A failed Pride subject, a human hybrid. She did manage to get away with a fighter craft but I have no idea if she's still alive."

She didn't like to recount stuff like that, especially when it had to do with one of the only guys that actually managed to make their way into her heart like he did. Usually what she did put most people off, but like Rovin there was the rare few that took interest. She just didn't think she'd find someone else like that in her lifetime. Still, she knew it would have to come up eventually. She already told Thatch everything when he reaches his 10th birthday. When he said that he had competition she laughed slightly. Being asked to recall what he was like... It was easy. The memory of that idiot was still fresh in her mind. How could she forget. "He was headstrong, very emotive and loud but kinda conservative too when it came to issues that other people didn't want to talk about. He was good with hands and knew he way around a workshop. Bit of a gearhead but I didn't dislike that about him, he was a passionate man who knew how to get his feelings across. Though he could also be abit selfish with how he showed them, it's unfair when you couldn't get the last word in with him... And above all, he was brave. And a showoff." All of that might shed some light on how Rivin might picture just how Thatch's father met his end. Sounding like he had the last word and managed to convince Piper to run while he went out with quite the show. Enough of one to have the Anubites and Piper leave each other alone on uneasy terms.

"An escapee failure, huh? Well if they live as long as you do, quite possible they got away. Might be roaming around the galaxy, or settled down with another society. Based on what I've seen of you Athailian folks, it wouldn't be too hard for you to join up with any civilization that's willing to take in other species, or really could just fake being entirely human and join a human nation. After all, prospects are looking good for Athailians who want to fully join Iammelon, and even those who don't fully join get along just fine. I bet the failed Pride subject lady could do it too, perhaps even more easily if she fakes being a human refugee or whatnot. Be it for Iammelon or plenty of other societies" As he spoke, Rovin kept up the massage on the waist. He was tempted to do something bold, but he decided the tone of the talk wasn't quite right yet. So instead he started to go down to massage the back of her legs.

What she was saying certainly made sense to him based on the person she had described, that was very much a Scarletneck. Simple, charming bunch, good people overall from those Rovin knew. It was a shame that he would clearly never get the chance to meet the man, as he could also guess what sort of thing he did that got himself killed. Rovin gave an understanding nod, "Sounds like somebody I would've liked. A good person. It is a shame I won't get the chance to meet him, makes me understand why you aren't such a big fan of the Anubites. But, if I might say... I bet he's quite happy with what you got going on now, wherever his soul ended up. Using your own skills to help out all those kids, and continuing to live your life to the best you can. Plus, you clearly got some things from him, as you're also a bit of a show off. Making good use of his legacy, and I bet a gearhead like him is happy you're building on his foundations."

Honour guard wrote:

Zether already gathered that Azultiri's mother was the serious type from their first time meeting not long ago, still he was glad but also kind of annoyed that she didn't bring her gauntlet out when he first arrived. Not that he wanted to fight her or anything, but if someone was coming out with the stuff he was saying then he would have had at least some sort of shw of power on display for such tomfoolery! ...Even though he was telling the truth. As for teaching her how to use Antimagic he would have to teach her when they both have some free time, he'll have to ask after the little storytime session he has going on later with the rest of the family.

Zether watched his nieces delight as she leaped over to her storage to start rummaging for materials and such. "Her favourite colour? Well that's easy! Purple. I'm sort of a sentimental idiot so it's part of the flag of the firstborn for that reason." He says before he hears that he should go see Uzulmira. "Oh anytime Azultiri, it was a pleasure to get to see you work! I'll see you at our little storytime!" He says, turning around to leave, waving over his shoulder using a psionic hand thanks to his new tailguard. Though he was worried that what he was going to divulge to them all would make them see him a less than amicable light... But he would not lie to them about this, the foundation of his relationship with the rest of his family will not be built on deception. Zether leaves the forge to travel back through the winding halls to find his sister.

Azultiri smiled proudly at Zether utilizing his new tailguard, even in such a minor fashion, and happily waved back with a paw, before reaching out for some purple dye in her storage area, as of course she had noted the favorite color. The proud smith was not the sort to waste such knowledge, not when it would greatly improve the product of her labors.

As Zether emerged back out into the hallways to look for Uzulmira, it would take a bit to find her. However one of the Dragon guards would direct Zether towards the primary living quarters, as it was revealed that his sister had returned to her personal abode. When he arrived there, another guard was outside the door. Upon seeing Zether coming up, he made a few knocks on the door to inform Uzulmira of the oncoming visitor. After a moment of silence, her voice ringed out from within, "Let him in!" The Guard then quickly unlocked the door, and allowed Zether to go in.

The Draconic Lady's personal quarters were not as luxurious as one might have expected from somebody in her position, reflecting her more serious nature. There was a large bed, even by Dragon standards, a large desk filled with papers and a computer, a massive bookshelf, and off to the side an armor rack. On that rack was a full set of Heord Gold Armor, personally built for Uzulmira's frame. Notably, he could also see Azultiri's special made gauntlet here as well, and it stood out from the rest of the armor due to it being gem-encrusted, with red marks on the gauntlet's crushing claws. The rest of the armor was not as flashy, or at least as unflashy as it could be while being a suit of shining gold. Zether would see his sister was laying across the bed, her eyes on a book. She looked up at Zether and moved to get off the bed, stretching her wings before speaking, "Hello again, Zether. I hope my daughter did not give you too much trouble, but I appreciate you going down to humor her. I was just catching up on some reading while I had the free time."

Necunda wrote:

Forthammer would bounce some shells arriving from the Woodrow but some of them would penetrate their armor on where the armor is thin enough or not sloped enough to guarantee a ricochet, some of the shells would hit the command deck of the Forthammer but its reactive armor manages to absorb the damage done by the shells, its armor skirts would be proved somewhat effective as it has some shells lodged on to it. Forthammer would be able to not take any damage at all if it was the retrofit variant they we’re using, although they captured this before the military modernization act. Forthammer would begin firing again at its general direction where Woodrow is. Sheepskin would aim its cannons at Dernby’s thrusters while taking evasive maneuvers to avoid fire from Woodrow, they are attempting to board Dernby to capture their crew or even the ship itself if they are lucky.

Forthammer and Sheepskin would witness a tremendous fireball from the Woodrow after it let loose a second broadside. The bow of the ship erupted into fire, a magazine had presumably detonated. The ship began limping closer to the Dernby. Both ships still maintained rates of fire at their two attackers, but Woodrow had been crippled. Its firing power decimated by the explosion, and now most of the crew likely on fire duty. Most of the able crew would be attempting to stop the fire and recover the ship from total loss. But an interesting development occurred. Woodrow kept moving closer to Dernby, and the Woodrow raised the maritime flag “Xray.” An experienced naval captain would recognise the Xray flag as to mean “Stop your intentions, watch for my signal.” The Sheepskin would ceased being fired upon by Dernby and witnessed the crew of the Dernby abandoning ship. The crew of the dernby loaded into small lifeboats and made for the nearby Woodrow. The Dernby itself was turned hard to larboard, and veered away from Woodrow. The attackers could see what was happening, Dernby had been abandoned but its cargo left intact in the hopes they would let the sailors and the crew of the Woodrow live. The Woodrow was in a bad way, and could no longer fight. Its only option was to limp to the nearest port. The Sheepskin and Forthammer also realised they never destroyed the Woodrow’s communication’s lattice, so a distress signal was bound to have been sent and perhaps reinforcements were only an hour away. Sheepskin and Forthammer could waste more time destroying the damaged Woodrow, which had extended its olive branch, and risk engaging with larger naval ships from the Bezannian navy. Or let Woodrow go and pillage the loot from the Dernby.

Iammelon wrote:

Fendi shook his head initially, as Yosgel had made one error he wished to address, "Just 'lord' is fine. I am no High Lord, I am just a regular Anubite Lord. It would be poor form to accept address that is only proper for a ruler when I am simply a noble. Regardless, I accept your guidance." As they were taking the exit, Fendi gave a nod towards one of his researcher followers to quickly make a map as they moved, since the rather effective shortcut was well worth writing down in case of future expeditions here, regardless of their likelihood. As they exited, Fendi looked about for himself, and then shrugged, "It is not too dissimilar to the sands of my homeworld, Tombuiorn. The Anubite Capital world, in fact. On that world, most is desert. Swirling sands and dunes, with only one section of the planet properly suited for urbanization, and so it's where most of the people are gathered. You likely would not like the chaos of the linear city, smushed together as it is. But you could probably enjoy the dunes. The dunes of Tombuiorn however are all sitting above ancient tombs of untellable age. Wonder if that's the case here?"

He then watched the launch in the distance and raised an eyebrow, "Pleasant to see that you're expanding, but where exactly is it headed? Not many planets in the immediate vicinity of this Nebula that I saw of much worth for colonization, besides perhaps some mining operations. And I doubt you'd need such a large group for a planet that is close by. That looks like it is meant to be self sustaining, which means its long range."

Yosgel is surprised to hear that another desert world that feels like home also exists amongst the stars, of course such possibility is to be expected in a vast galaxy. He peers his gaze to another side of the horizon, the direction of the only true city. “Yes. There is only one major settlement here, Eirfaeggra, which means “Desert Miracle”, I forgot what the meaning and history is behind the name of that city but it is what it is.. Most of the smaller settlements here are temporary and its rare to be a permanent one. There some nomadic peoples here which in itself developed its own culture distinct from the usual. There are some rare occasions where entire settlements just disappear out of thin air, such example is the City of Exelion, pulverized under millions of tons of sand and dust, everyone on that grim day perished. We have already made a small song in honor of them, but has since been updated to incorporate the colonization mission.”

-♩ Water, fire, wind and earth arise
Stone souls caught in desert storms
Once chained ghosts of a forgotten world
Rise stone souls caught in desert storms
Once chained ghosts of a forgotten world
New born once more. ♩-

As the massive ship scales up into the sky now becoming but a speck of bright light, the winds from its blast propulsion sweep across them bringing small sandwaves toward them. “The name of the planet that KS Altameira will colonize is already known as Exelion. A tribute to the fallen city, hence the new part of the song" Yosgel would ask for Rhian the tablet but a little quarrel would ensue, having to force Yosgel to get the tablet on her breast pocket, unsure why its placed there. “Sorry about that.” Yosgel unfolds the tablet and would show the starmap around their local vicinity. A huge red circle seems to be the nebula proper and then several hundred stars around them catalogued, a rotating cross would be above one of the stars, some few weeks travel southeast of the nebula, but for the ship due to how heavy it is and how much stuff it carries, it might as well take over a month. “Yeah this is kinda unhelpful since you’re looking at our local starmap, maybe you can overlay yours with mine and see where it is from your area?” He requests.

Necunda wrote:

The broadside and the sudden explosion of Woodrow thundered across the battlescape that they are currently in. Both sides seem to be taking heavy damage even for Forthammer, who's sideskirt armor is slowly being torn apart and its improvised slope armor improvement being destroyed. The bow of the Forthammer has been cut off due to poor welding and an entire armor plate dislodges from the ship due to it unable to handle the vibration forces experienced when the shells of Woodrow impact it leaving a wide vulnerable spot for the Woodrow to be shot at and deal some considerable amount of damage, of course if the Woodrow can still sustain fire even after the side of their ship exploded.

The Sheepskin on the other hand is rightfully funked. Their specific angle and their slow speed was proven to be vital for numerous shots of Woodrow's broadside salvo before it exploded to penetrate vital parts of the ship, especially the aft parts. The horizontal drive and mount of the two turrets on the aft of Sheepskin would be torn apart after several shots penetrate the sideskirt and then the rings of the turrets. The sidearmor's connector pieces would be penetrated as well causing the entire armor piece on the backside of the ship to float and drift off, the fuel tank of the ship explodes with a spectacular ball of flame, due to this it would also cause the power generator to rupture and small explosions can be seen, due to having no auxiliary power systems and also an old model of a cruiser, the cruiser goes dark and would stop firing immediately making it a sitting duck. The temperature of the fires on the engine room would be hot enough to melt and seep around the ship causing fires across almost all decks as well as the entire thruster and engine block of the ship being torn apart. The ship itself was drifting away from the Dernby as the forces impacted we're powerful enough to drastically alter the course alongside that the entire ship has been skeletonized for a much lighter ship and a maneuverable one, not realizing how much damage this would cause if they we're actually hit

Forthammer would stop firing after seeing the unknown colored flag raised, unsure what it means but speculation would seem to be a variant of the X-flag, with different colors. Several shuttlecraft that are on the Sheepskin would attempt to escape but the fires would reach the secondary fuel tank that is located in the center of the ship, which was supposed to be the quarters of the crew men but replaced with it. Sheepskin explodes like a bubble, a brilliant white and blue explosion due to the chemical, the shockwave would either destroy the shuttle craft escaping or be pushed off course, one of them would head straight for Forthammer had no choice to destroy its own kin. A lone crewman from the Forthammer would climb up to the top of the command deck of the Forthammer with the flags of C and B, again with a different color scheme. The crewman would suddenly be pushed down by a sudden explosion on the engine compartment of the forthammer. Without clear direction from their captain the crewman would raise the J flag as a warning to them to get the hell out of there immediately.

Seeing the chaos the two rebel ships were in, the wounded Woodrow continued limping away. Seeming happy to just part ways for now. Steaming off into the deep ether, towards true Bezannian shores for repairs. But the crew of the Forthammer and Sheepskin had another problem, despite Woodrow having slipped away into the Ether, the crewless Dernby now a derelict ship hovering nearby, a bezannian naval squadron emerged from the wake of the Ethercurrent about two hours after the Woodrow’s magazine explosion. Having sailed fast and running their light, the squadron consisted of two modern frigates and one man-o-war. This Squadron moved in very close to the wrecks of the ships and began broadcasting orders to surrender.