Depths of Space (IC, OPEN, FT)

[The Dark Brotherhood of Deros]

The Hive was rocked by the attack, but its shields held. fighters were now being torn apart by Commonwealth ships, so they pulled back with the main group of ships. Colma cruisers and battleships made another run at the Commonwealth fleet, and one of the Hives now joined the fight, its fire blanketing the area.

Near Sol
The V.R.A. base was now up and running. it had a functioning shipyard, and new Urchin Missile frigates were being constructed. the base contained a Primary HQ to oversee the area, and it had 3 Processing centers to process ore. the fleet of 120 V.R.A. ships surrounded the base, keeping any uninvited guest away from it. Colonel Stien sat on the bridge of the Ankylosaur, overseeing the operations of the base.

[The Not so Hidden Valley]

Ophius listened to the replies and closed her eyes for a moment, fists clenching as she sighed lightly, almost daintily. Scorpius glanced it out of the corner of his eyes and felt his blood freeze. Scorpius had never seen any indication of Ophius being angry-not even with him after the Sol fiasco. For some reason, this news had upset her enormously.

"I...see." She spoke softly, "I was hoping it wouldn't be one of...those reasons. Very well. In that case, forcing a surrender is out of the question, so we're going to have to destroy them and rebuild them again. And that means we'll need to bring their fleet to battle which in turn means we need to scout their home system out to figure out their total strength and composition. I'm not a trained admiral, but I'm not wrong here, am I?"

Only because I brought my suspicions up with you when I looked through the comm chatter that we got dumped. Scorpius thought.

"But if you just throw a scout ship at them, we all know what would happen. Well, we have nine Ophians and our Fifth Fleet rendezvous is going to provide us with three hundred cryo chambers. That means we can jump them through and go completely cold before the jump is over, have no photon slippage at the endpoint, run the spectrum of passive scans and go without them knowing we were ever there there."

Ophius stared solemnly at the two people on her screen.

"And then we can talk about the rest of it."

Shellist hears these solutions and answers,
"Sounds better than any plans we have. I'm very grateful you have all come here to help us in this time of need. We couldn't do this by ourselves."

"I will agree with Shellist here"

[Spindle]

Eris felt her fists clench as Khronos prepared to leave, but she knew that he had his own crushing responsibilities, and she'd had it drummed into her head that her personal opinions would always need to take a back seat to her responsibilities. And so she merely nodded contritely as Khronos made to leave and savoured the last few moments she would have with him.

"I know." She sighed to the empty room, "I'll have breakfast and compile the reports before I speak to Armillius. It would be better if I had something other than the news to tell him."

Nodding at her own plan, she headed off to find out what kind of food they served on the Armada, hearing her stomach gargle as if in response to the thought. Eris smiled slightly at that and pushed the impending mound of paperwork out of her mind. She could deal with that later, after she had stuffed herself. Bacon and eggs, or the Taari version, perhaps.






Ophius bowed her head at the compliments, as the first light-flares of Fifth fleet's arrival began to reach the ship's sensors. Ophius knew that the rendezvous would take place without her interference-after all, her captains were perfectly capable in their own right, and they didn't need her micromanaging their every action. She privately had her suspicions that one of the reasons Armillius kept the b-space transmitters so rare among the fleet was to keep micromanagement from Spindle at the lowest possible point.

"You're welcome. It's always good to help other Humans." Ophius paused with a twinkle in her eye, "And it'll be good to guage everyone at war. It'll take around half an hour for the rendezvous, plus another forty-five minutes to install the cryo units and another half-hour for everything to go wrong. We'll begin the operation in two hours time, then, plus an estimated twenty-two minutes to the Floran home system, thirty-six minutes scanning and twenty-two minutes back means the operation will be complete in...let's say three and a half hours time, including friction? That sounds about right. We'll see how it all goes and send that data out to everyone when the ships get back, leave half an hour for data analysis and have a holo conference four hours from now. Does that sound about right to everyone?"





Beryl cursed again as the cutter hit the power line for the combat pod, sending up a shower of firefly sparks. Whose bright idea had it been to integrate cryo pods into the Ophians, anyway? Almost all of the supply cables would need to be re-routed and keeping the amniotic from freezing was, although theoretically simply, rapidly proving to be an absolute nightmare.

"Pass me the tape, will you?" She called into her comm, feeling Jason pressing it into her hand several moments later. She unrolled a segment, tore it away and stuck the power line to the wall of the cavity, keeping it safely out of the way as she restarted the cutter. Trying to reach the regular coolant pipes for the combat pod was proving to be the hardest part, but if she could just-

The pipe burst open, a viscous, blue liquid spurting straight into Beryl's faceplate and temporarily blinding her, the force tipping her over. She felt the impact on her back and cursed yet again. Why was this sodding coolant being so damned problematic? She pushed herself to her feet, wiping the coolant from her faceplate with the back of her glove before leaning back over the hole she'd cut in the main supply pipe, the coolant spurting less violently now, and got back to work.

[The V O I D]

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos Vorr was walking his way to the bridge; he had things to do, a 'nation' to run, and preparations to make. He decided to make it a 'silent invitation set to the Admirals and their families. That's who "mattered", anyways. Khronos would have time to worry about if the wedding would be holovised or not later. Right now, he had other things to focus on. He entered the bridge, and began doing his work. The Imperator had a long day ahead of him, and so he sent the invitations the moment he started work as well, to ensure he didn't forget. Khronos smiled happily.


Lyson was scowling. He growled as he stood in his room; he had acquired an assault rifle from the armory. He decided that he would make it his mission to either kill the xeno for trying to take over and harm the Taari people, or to kill the Imperator for being so foolish as to fall for a xeno. Perhaps both. Lyson was trying to figure out when he would commit the deed, and all-the-while was oblivious to the wedding which would soon take place. Sighing, Lyson silently went back to eating his breakfast. At least he would be doing his duty and protecting his people. Maybe the Admiralty would be grateful to him, and make him Imperator. He smiled at that thought...

[Spindle]

Eris keyed the authorization code into the transmitter, the two lines of light dancing up and down her body before blinking and being replaced with an image of Armillius. He looked awful. His regalia was hanging on his chair and it left behind it a tired, old man. Despite that, his eyes still brightened up when they reached her face.

"Eris!" He exclaimed, "How are you? How are they treating you?" He made to embrace her, then remembered how they were communicating and sat down again.

"I'm fine, uncle." She smiled warmly at him, "They're treating me like royalty here."

"I should hope they would." Armillius smiled back, "I should very much hope they would. I'm assuming you've got the reports?"

Eris had never felt fully comfortable with her uncle switching between business and family banter so fluidly, but she did her best to compose herself before she spoke again.

"All of them." Eris nodded, "They're all perfectly standard, but before we go into them...I've got something to tell you."

"Spit it out, then!" He laughed, "You're not pregnant are you?"

"No, it's just I'm-I mean-I-I'm getting married!" Eris stuttered.

"Oh." Armillius said, the smile barely flickering for a moment, "Who to?"

"Imperator Khronos."

There was a moment of resounding silence before Armillius spoke again.

"Is this your choice? Yours entirely?" He asked, his eyes questing for any telltale body language.

"Yes." Eris replied steadily.

"I see." Armillius said, apparently satisfied with her response and brightening up, "Well in that case we've got a lot of preparation to do, don't we? It's a shame we haven't got Ophius here, she'd be a real help."

"I'm not sure using a Councilwoman to plan a wedding is the best use of our resources." Eris smiled lightly.

"We won't be able to stop her without causing a civil war." Armillius guffawed, "And I don't want to have a civil war with that woman. She'd probably trounce me."

Eris let herself relax at that, but Armillius' voice turned sharp again.

"You realize that you've extended royal titles to the Imperator and his relations, right?" He said, his face suddenly seeming far more creased than it had been a few moments ago, "We've barely got the poodles out of the family tree and we can't neuter the leader of the Armada, so you've just upset the family politics in a big way."

"I know what I've done, uncle, but from the political viewpoint it's the best thing for us." Eris interjected, "You know that there's no point marrying off a third daughter who doesn't want to be married away and represents no investment on our part. By doing this we demonstrate Spindle's commitment and-"

"Don't you realize? This marriage will mean that you outrank even Jessica, so when I die, the throne becomes yours. Do you see now?"

Eris felt her breath catch in her throat.

"Oh, God." She murmured, "Oh Lord, no. But then that means..."

"Yes." Armillius sighed, "We need to get you producing an heir. And that means..."

He trailed off into silence and Eris felt her face flushing at the implication.

"But that's a problem for another time." Armillius said, suddenly jovial again, "I believe you have some reports to give me..."

[The United Tributational Territories]

Eris felt her fists clench as Khronos prepared to leave, but she knew that he had his own crushing responsibilities, and she'd had it drummed into her head that her personal opinions would always need to take a back seat to her responsibilities. And so she merely nodded contritely as Khronos made to leave and savoured the last few moments she would have with him.

"I know." She sighed to the empty room, "I'll have breakfast and compile the reports before I speak to Armillius. It would be better if I had something other than the news to tell him."

Nodding at her own plan, she headed off to find out what kind of food they served on the Armada, hearing her stomach gargle as if in response to the thought. Eris smiled slightly at that and pushed the impending mound of paperwork out of her mind. She could deal with that later, after she had stuffed herself. Bacon and eggs, or the Taari version, perhaps.






Ophius bowed her head at the compliments, as the first light-flares of Fifth fleet's arrival began to reach the ship's sensors. Ophius knew that the rendezvous would take place without her interference-after all, her captains were perfectly capable in their own right, and they didn't need her micromanaging their every action. She privately had her suspicions that one of the reasons Armillius kept the b-space transmitters so rare among the fleet was to keep micromanagement from Spindle at the lowest possible point.

"You're welcome. It's always good to help other Humans." Ophius paused with a twinkle in her eye, "And it'll be good to guage everyone at war. It'll take around half an hour for the rendezvous, plus another forty-five minutes to install the cryo units and another half-hour for everything to go wrong. We'll begin the operation in two hours time, then, plus an estimated twenty-two minutes to the Floran home system, thirty-six minutes scanning and twenty-two minutes back means the operation will be complete in...let's say three and a half hours time, including friction? That sounds about right. We'll see how it all goes and send that data out to everyone when the ships get back, leave half an hour for data analysis and have a holo conference four hours from now. Does that sound about right to everyone?"





Beryl cursed again as the cutter hit the power line for the combat pod, sending up a shower of firefly sparks. Whose bright idea had it been to integrate cryo pods into the Ophians, anyway? Almost all of the supply cables would need to be re-routed and keeping the amniotic from freezing was, although theoretically simply, rapidly proving to be an absolute nightmare.

"Pass me the tape, will you?" She called into her comm, feeling Jason pressing it into her hand several moments later. She unrolled a segment, tore it away and stuck the power line to the wall of the cavity, keeping it safely out of the way as she restarted the cutter. Trying to reach the regular coolant pipes for the combat pod was proving to be the hardest part, but if she could just-

The pipe burst open, a viscous, blue liquid spurting straight into Beryl's faceplate and temporarily blinding her, the force tipping her over. She felt the impact on her back and cursed yet again. Why was this sodding coolant being so damned problematic? She pushed herself to her feet, wiping the coolant from her faceplate with the back of her glove before leaning back over the hole she'd cut in the main supply pipe, the coolant spurting less violently now, and got back to work.

"Sounds about right to me." Shellist says with a twinkle in his eye, "Don't try anything Spindle."

[The V O I D]

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos continued speaking with various Admirals in the fleet as he also planned the wedding. He was making sure everything on the ship was fully operational and everyone was doing well. Everything seemed fine, and that was good. Life was good. Khronos felt good. Just... everything was going great. But... then... why couldn't Khronos shake this horrible feeling that something bad was going to happen? Was it Lyson, or something else? No. It felt... deeper. He didn't know why; he just felt oddly like he should be fighting or something... but why? Nothing was wrong. Nothing was to be of alarm about. Odd...


Lyson continued his plotting, and decided that he'd assassinate the xeno ambassador someplace public... someplace during an important event. Nonetheless, he had made up his mind. He was now training to use his stolen weapon from the armory to prepare for the deed. He was ready. He was angry. He was willing to protect his people, no matter the cost, consequences be damned. This would only prove what he thought - the xenos were evil and ready to kill off the Taari, no matter what...

[Spindle]

Eris crumpled the umpteenth form into a ball, threw it in the overflowing wastepaper bin and grabbed another. She'd have thought that interstellar communications would have meant that paperwork could be avoided, yet here she was, half-way through a stack of paper the as thick as her arm, with two hours to go. She gently massaged her hand before she picked up her pen again and shakily began to fill it out again. She couldn't wait for the embassy to finish being built here. Then, at least she'd have a secretary to do this work for her. Still, as long as she was the only Human here, it was her responsibility to do so, however much her hand may ache from it.

She absently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she wrote out form after form, her mind dulling with each consecutive script she had to copy out onto the damned paper. One hundred and one...one hundred and two...one hundred and three...it seemed like an endless mountain, but Eris persevered with it, however much like Sisyphus she felt as she did.




Ophius smiled at Shellist's comment. If we was willing to joke about that, it meant that the UTT were more or less over it-not that that would stop them bringing it up in every diplomatic talk they ever engaged in. Still, it was a step in the right direction.

"We won't." Eris grinned wickedly, her finger crossing lightly over her left breast, "Cross my heart, hope to live forever."

Progress reports were flooding into her holo, and it seemed to be going well so far. The current estimates were that the integration would be completed on time, although Ophius had a suspicion that they were somewhat optimistic, since the two pod types had never been meant as switch-in, switch-out components. Still, if they were only fifteen minutes behind Ophius would need to find who ever was directing this and give them a commendation personally.




Beryl let loose a stream of obscenities that could only have come from the mouth of a hardened rating as her suit registered a temporary loss of left-hand mobility. How in the blazes had the wire managed to pierce the outer layering? She glanced down and stifled a roar of anger as she saw a single, loose strand of wire neatly inserted into the wrist of the skinsuit, yanking it out and feeling the servos coming online again. Resisting the urge to simply melt the entire circuit-board, she instead took her knife and carefully cut across the wire from underneath, severing the contacts, before she twisted the open, frayed ends around the fresh piece of wire and soldering it all into place.

She quickly glanced up at Jason's progress and nodded to herself. He'd installed the main body of the cryo pod and was now preparing the pipes to have the amniotic pumped in. It was a damned nuisance that the regular amniotic couldn't go down to less than minus eighty-six without freezing solid, because the cryo would be taking some parts of the amniotic down to minus one hundred and ninety three, with the Human inside kept barely conscious, wired up into the computers they'd cannibalised from the combat pods to direct the ship. Her gaze moved back to the tangle of wiring and chips and she busied herself with the re-wiring process.

[The V O I D]

Eris crumpled the umpteenth form into a ball, threw it in the overflowing wastepaper bin and grabbed another. She'd have thought that interstellar communications would have meant that paperwork could be avoided, yet here she was, half-way through a stack of paper the as thick as her arm, with two hours to go. She gently massaged her hand before she picked up her pen again and shakily began to fill it out again. She couldn't wait for the embassy to finish being built here. Then, at least she'd have a secretary to do this work for her. Still, as long as she was the only Human here, it was her responsibility to do so, however much her hand may ache from it.

She absently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she wrote out form after form, her mind dulling with each consecutive script she had to copy out onto the damned paper. One hundred and one...one hundred and two...one hundred and three...it seemed like an endless mountain, but Eris persevered with it, however much like Sisyphus she felt as she did.

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos had finally finished his work. And it was nearing the night half of the simulated cycles. He was tired, and left the bridge in command of his brother, Consul Vorr, once again. Khronos headed off down towards Eris' room, smiling to himself, hoping to see her as soon as possible. Khronos reached her room after only a few moments, and knocked. He spoke.

"Lady Eris, my love, I have just finished working... might I come in? We have much to discuss.", he said. On his way here, he had also grabbed something of significant importance: you couldn't get married without it. Khronos smiled slightly to himself, hoping Eris would be satisfied with her Star Diamond - star diamonds were rare things that Taari found and were responsible for the creation of in some ways. They were made of an oddly strong diamond and shown slightly, like a star. Khronos got Eris a pinkish-blue one, hoping she'd love it. Ah, things were going to be amazing.

[Spindle]

Eris' eyes snapped open, taking a moment to readjust themselves to her location. Her head was on something solid and smooth...as she dragged her hand along it, she realised it must be her desk. She sat bolt upright. But that meant...no, no, no! She still had so many forms to fill out, in triplicate! There was so much still to do and it was almost evening!

Khronos' voice came from the door and Eris bolted over and opened it, running a hand through her hair in a vain attempt to untangle it slightly, before she hugged Khronos tightly. She was tired, but the feel of his torso under her hands gave her a new burst of energy as she brought him into the room.

"Of course." She smiled, "Where to begin?"

[The V O I D]

Eris' eyes snapped open, taking a moment to readjust themselves to her location. Her head was on something solid and smooth...as she dragged her hand along it, she realised it must be her desk. She sat bolt upright. But that meant...no, no, no! She still had so many forms to fill out, in triplicate! There was so much still to do and it was almost evening!

Khronos' voice came from the door and Eris bolted over and opened it, running a hand through her hair in a vain attempt to untangle it slightly, before she hugged Khronos tightly. She was tired, but the feel of his torso under her hands gave her a new burst of energy as she brought him into the room.

"Of course." She smiled, "Where to begin?"

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos hugged her back, walking into the room with her. His helmet folded away as he presented her the ring, taking her hand and slipping it onto her ring finger. The ring glowed a bright pinkish-blue, not extremely bright, but enough where the light was noticeable. It dimmed only slightly, but remained glowing. Khronos smiled at her, kissing her lips briefly.

"A ring, for you, my love... it is for our wedding. I've scheduled it and everything. The Armada is paying for everything - and I'm not letting you spend a single cent. This is for you, my love. The wedding will be in two weeks' time; I have already taken liberty to invite the Admirals and their families. You just need to invite your family and close ones. It shall be held here, in the grand ballroom of the Imperator's Might.", he said. He said it with extreme joy and happiness, and love all directed for her. Khronos kissed her again, and picked her up, spinning her around and bringing her to the bed with him, laying down with her. He stared her in the eyes, smiling warmly.

[Spindle]

Eris spent a few moments marvelling at the ring. It was light on her finger, far lighter than it should have been, and it shed an appealing pink-blue light across her fingers as it slid on. It fit as if it had been made for her and Eris felt an inexplicable surge of happiness at that.

As his lips passed over hers she closed her eyes briefly, and she listened to his words intently. As Khronos lay down alongside her, she felt the now-familiar urge to tear away that suit and get at the Taari within, but she contained it-for now, anyway. As her mind quickly added up the costs of such a wedding, she smiled sombrely and nuzzled into the crook of his neck.

"That's not going to be a popular stance for your Chancellor." She muttered softly, her head spinning from the twirl and Khronos' proximity both, "You might just have to cut back your expenditure next year."

[The V O I D]

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos chuckled at her as he hugged her closely, enjoying the warmth of her skin through his envirosuit - albeit it was muffled. Khronos stared her in the eyes, willing her to feel his soul down to its core how much he loved her. Khronos kissed her forehead briefly, before speaking to her in a quiet voice; very quiet, as if he wanted only her to ever hear his voice again.

"No price is too high for you, my love.", he stated in that quiet voice. He smiled at her, as he kept her in the hug. And so, he mentally began planning things out up to the wedding day - lots of time to meet her family, as well as with the Admirals and such... it was going to be good. There would be happiness in his life as long as she lived. And then, a thought struck him for the briefest of moments; what if she outlived him? or, what if he outlived her? Khronos suppressed a shudder at that thought and allowed himself to be swallowed by her embrace, hiding the dark thought well.

[The Greater Gambia]

"In that case, you are permitted to activate the message. It contains information about our people and how to establish diplomatic communications with our government."

Gia, transfer the message to the First Contact team and sent me a copy to my wristguard. The message appears in the wristguard and Solia sits back in her chair reviews the message. After reading the message, Solia's activates the comm link on her wristguard and connects to the first contact team . Master Osan, what is you team's thoughts about the Tagali Federation?

Solia, as you have probably read as well. Based on this information, This Federation looks promising for friendly relations but, we need more information before we consider contacting the Council for diplomatic talks.
I suggest either a meeting with either their current representative or with their government, while following First Contact Relations Protocol of course.

Understood Master Osan, I will contact your team when a meeting is going to take place. Solia closes the link. Gia, sent his message, " me and my crew have review the information and have concluded that we would like to have a meeting with your government to discuss future relations between our people. Or if a meeting is not possible not this time, than a meeting with you either on my or one of your ships?"

"Very well than, we will send word to our government and begin to make preparations for your arrival. It has been a pleasure working with you.

Valkyrie System,
Kalchata
Unnauthorized Colony

"Fire another barrage!" Rear-Admiral Tila Zad-Vakala ordered to the rest of her forces. As soon as she gave the order, the combined fleet of Tagali and Maug-Lai forces let out a barrage of ventral beams and Mass Accelerator rounds came crashing into towards the Colonial Maug-Lai Fleet. Those that were still standing began to flee, hoping to fight another day. The invasion of Kalchata was an unusual event. While the Tagali Federation didn't condone the many independent colonies that had been established outside the edges of Tagali space, they were left alone for the most part.

Kalchata was an exception. The Colony was settled by Okalar, former warlord and leader of the Maug-Lai terrorist group, "Swords of Okalar". Okalar and his followers believed that the other species of the Federation were weak and should be under the heel of the Maug-Lai and that Salog, the current king of the Maug-Lai, was weak and a puppet for the Tagali. The "Swords of Okalar" were just one of many terrorist cells and dissidents that called the fringe colonies home. Their mistake, however, was bringing attention to themselves by attacking Maug-Lai ships in Federation Space. While the Tagali would usually let the Maug-Lai handle small issues like this themselves, Okalar's boasting that he was in possession of an alien artifact that he said could grant him and his followers immense power. While probably just the ramblings of a mad man, the Tagali couldn't risk it being true. It was decided that operatives from the Federal Intelligence Society and a whole fleet would accompany King Salog's forces in taking the planet and ending one head of the insurrection.

The Society Operatives accompanied King Salog through the burnt ruins of the Colony's main settlement towards the large temple ruins where Okalar and his personal guard were holding out.The battle had been won both in the skies above and on the surface. The dead of both sides littered the streets, but the Maug-Lai Loyalists had clearly won. Loyalist forces were looting the settlement. Temir Yol-Vaneer scanned the area with his visor. Besides Salog's Maug-Lai, it seemed that there were no survivors.

"Not taking prisoners, I see." Temir said, commenting on the dead that were everywhere. Salog chuckled, specifically at the "we" part.

"You must not know much about Maug-Lai, do you? All members of Society, from the lowly farmer to the shaman are bound by honor to draw arms when their home is threatened. It is a simple fact of life to us. If one were to be taken prisoner, it would be a sign of weakness for both sides. It is much better to die honorably." One of Temir's Taani Operatives muttered under her breath.

"Bloody savages." Temir was quick to reprimand her.

"Kiira, silence." Salog was unmoved by the comment.

"I don't expect you to understand, Taani. You're race is spoiled and naive. You have not been tested as the Maug-Lai have." They soon came up to the temple. While the belligerents of the battle called it a temple, it was unknown what the original creators intended for it to be. The Maug-Lai were not the first ones to live on Kalchata. Three Maug-Lai Mecha suits, lead by one shock armor variant, were blasting at the door. Whatever the door was made of was sturdy enough to survive days of bombardment and now, direct fire. Dozens of Maug-Lai waited around the door, ready to charge in once the door was breaking down. As they saw their King walking over to them, they bowed in respect. Their Commander went to greet Salog.

"My King, the Mechas are almost through the door, only a few more blasts until we can finish this fight, once and for all! My Lances are ready and at your disposal." Salog nodded and gave the hand gesture for the Warriors to rise. He began pacing as he talked.

"Warriors! These "Swords of Okalar" call me, and by extension all of you, weak! Yet, they cower behind the ruins of a long dead race! You all have proven yourselves worthy to be called Maug-Lai, can our enemies say the same!?" The Warriors began to cheer in agreement. The Operatives just rolled their eyes, tiring of the theatrics. "If Okalar thinks he is a more worthy king than I, then let him prove it!" The Warriors roared in joy of their upcoming battle. Salog pulled out his sword, Temir took notice how the blade was longer and wider than him, but Salog wielded it in one hand with ease. Salog gave the signal for the Mechs to continue blasting the door. Within a few short seconds, the doors gave way after days of defiance. Salog lead the charge into the Temple, with the Operatives following behind the charging horde.

[Spindle]

Eris simply lay in Khronos' embrace for several seconds, savoring the contact with him, the warmth of his body and the feeling of safety from his arms cradling her body. He leaned in and kissed her forehead and she shuddered at the smoothness of his lips as they brushed her skin. She flushed, both from the contact and the sweet nothing, and parted her lips to reply.

"At least let us compensate you for what we're going to need for the after-party." She whispered back, equally softly, her eyes gazing up at his face, illuminated from below by the faint blue-pink light. He was so perfect...

As she gazed up at him, her mind clicked into gear and she burst out of the embrace with a cry of surprise, rushing over to her desk and grabbing her pen. She rapidly began to fill out the remaining forms, sifting through the rest of the pile at breakneck speed, her mouth tightening slightly every time she jolted the paper.

"Sorry!" She called out, "I've got fifty forms left to finish and scan for an hour from now!"

[The V O I D]

Eris simply lay in Khronos' embrace for several seconds, savoring the contact with him, the warmth of his body and the feeling of safety from his arms cradling her body. He leaned in and kissed her forehead and she shuddered at the smoothness of his lips as they brushed her skin. She flushed, both from the contact and the sweet nothing, and parted her lips to reply.

"At least let us compensate you for what we're going to need for the after-party." She whispered back, equally softly, her eyes gazing up at his face, illuminated from below by the faint blue-pink light. He was so perfect...

As she gazed up at him, her mind clicked into gear and she burst out of the embrace with a cry of surprise, rushing over to her desk and grabbing her pen. She rapidly began to fill out the remaining forms, sifting through the rest of the pile at breakneck speed, her mouth tightening slightly every time she jolted the paper.

"Sorry!" She called out, "I've got fifty forms left to finish and scan for an hour from now!"

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos was currently damning the gods responsible for the creation of paperwork for stealing his love from his embrace, him from hers. He stood, walking over to where she was doing the paperwork, staring at her. Just admiring her beauty; nothing more, nothing less. Khronos wished silently for the gods to let them be together for a very long time. He then thought of something.

"My love, when the Embassy is complete, we'll be married... you'll be the Empress, of sorts. That comes with a lot of responsibility... which means you couldn't act as Ambassador, ontop of it. But it also means... little to no paperwork. That's up to the Consuls and Admirals, in the Taari government.", he said to her. He was hoping by the look on her face at having to do all the paperwork that she'd be ecstatic to never have to do paperwork again, ever; and to make that the new Ambassador's job. Khronos smiled at these thoughts... amused. He kissed the top of his fiance's head, worshiping her beauty...

[Spindle]

Eris paused for a moment to acknowledge Khronos' kiss, and still her wrist-cramp, before she sped on through the paperwork. As Khronos spoke, his words took a second to permeate through her brain, so focused she was before she glanced up at Khronos, her brow furrowing before her face opened out into something between disbelief and joy.

"I hadn't thought about it like that..." She trailed off into nothing before her brow furrowed again, "Wait, what order would the titles go into? Would it be: 'Lady Eris, Imperatrix of the Taari Armada and Crown Princess of Spindle', or: 'Lady Eris, Crown Princess of Spindle and Imperatrix of the Taari Armada'?"

She slid another sheet onto the scanner before grabbing the last one, filling it out, and scanning it in before collapsing into Khronos' arms.

"I feel so tired." She murmured into his ear, "But I've only been doing deskwork today..."

[The V O I D]

Eris paused for a moment to acknowledge Khronos' kiss, and still her wrist-cramp, before she sped on through the paperwork. As Khronos spoke, his words took a second to permeate through her brain, so focused she was before she glanced up at Khronos, her brow furrowing before her face opened out into something between disbelief and joy.

"I hadn't thought about it like that..." She trailed off into nothing before her brow furrowed again, "Wait, what order would the titles go into? Would it be: 'Lady Eris, Imperatrix of the Taari Armada and Crown Princess of Spindle', or: 'Lady Eris, Crown Princess of Spindle and Imperatrix of the Taari Armada'?"

She slid another sheet onto the scanner before grabbing the last one, filling it out, and scanning it in before collapsing into Khronos' arms.

"I feel so tired." She murmured into his ear, "But I've only been doing deskwork today..."

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos smiled at her as he hugged her closely, protectively. He wondered about the titles as well. Khronos sighed as he brought her with him to a chair, sitting her down. He spun the chair around, and began to massage her shoulders. He was... a good masseur. Khronos knew all the right places to massage and loosen up. He was trying to get her to relax after a hard day's work, and oh boy was it working; at least, he thought it was. As he did this, he spoke.

"I feel like the title of superior influence should come first. So, I believe it would be 'Lady Eris, Imperatrix of the Taari Remnant-Armada, and Crown Princess of Spindle'. But that is just my opinion, my love.", he spoke to her in a very loving way. It was literally impossible for his voice to hide how he yearned to not need the envirosuit, to be with her, to have her to himself for all eternity. And the fact his voice showed that want - that need... it was somewhat overwhelming, even for him. Khronos continued his massage.

[Spindle]

Eris gasped as Khronos' hands touched her shoulders. This was...wonderful. Where had he learnt to do that? How had he found the time? The questions appeared and disappeared as she felt another gasp slip from her mouth, followed by a moan, and then another, longer moan. Good God, how was he that-another moan slipped from her mouth before the thought could finish. She hadn't realized just how much stress and tension had been building up in her body, but now it was dissolving away like fog in the sun under Khronos' fingertips.

"Mhm." Eris managed to gasp, "I-ah-have to-mmmnmm-agree, dear."

[The V O I D]

Eris gasped as Khronos' hands touched her shoulders. This was...wonderful. Where had he learnt to do that? How had he found the time? The questions appeared and disappeared as she felt another gasp slip from her mouth, followed by a moan, and then another, longer moan. Good God, how was he that-another moan slipped from her mouth before the thought could finish. She hadn't realized just how much stress and tension had been building up in her body, but now it was dissolving away like fog in the sun under Khronos' fingertips.

"Mhm." Eris managed to gasp, "I-ah-have to-mmmnmm-agree, dear."

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos heard her gasp and such. Was she really that stressed? Khronos made a note to himself to not do too much paperwork, if he could help it. And technically he didn't have to do much in the first place... so that was a plus. Still, here she was slowly dissolving under his touch. Perhaps he should stop. Perhaps not. He decides to stop the massage after another moment, and then moves to the chair, sitting her in his lap as he switches places with her. He smiles.

"So... what does your family think of the wedding?", he asked, curious. Khronos stared her in the eyes as he held her in his lap, content. It was good. Life was good. He was beginning to repeat his own thoughts, but they weren't any less true now than they were a couple days ago. He still wondered if, in the future, she'd even be able to have an heir. And he stopped that line of thought immediately because it was causing him to blush...

[Spindle]

Eris felt the hands withdraw from her shoulders and turned her head to protest it but before she could, she was Khronos' lap again and she laced her arms behind his neck, softening her body into his and reveling in the way they fitted together like a jigsaw, like they had been made for each other. She gazed up into his face, relaxed and contented like a very large cat. At his question, she stiffened slightly before relaxing back into his body, but she kept her hands clutching at the envirosuit.

"They'll be fine with it, but..." She tailed off for several seconds before continuing, "Armillius isn't sure if it's my choice to do it. He accepts it politically and he's fine with it otherwise, but if he thinks that you've forced me into it..." She tailed off again and held onto Khronos even tighter. She didn't say anything else, instead focusing on holding back the tears in her eyes at the thought of Khronos and Armillius at war.

[The V O I D]

Eris felt the hands withdraw from her shoulders and turned her head to protest it but before she could, she was Khronos' lap again and she laced her arms behind his neck, softening her body into his and reveling in the way they fitted together like a jigsaw, like they had been made for each other. She gazed up into his face, relaxed and contented like a very large cat. At his question, she stiffened slightly before relaxing back into his body, but she kept her hands clutching at the envirosuit.

"They'll be fine with it, but..." She tailed off for several seconds before continuing, "Armillius isn't sure if it's my choice to do it. He accepts it politically and he's fine with it otherwise, but if he thinks that you've forced me into it..." She tailed off again and held onto Khronos even tighter. She didn't say anything else, instead focusing on holding back the tears in her eyes at the thought of Khronos and Armillius at war.

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos stared at her as she trailed off, and kissed her lips passionately. He hugged her close, in the most comforting way his envirosuit would allow. He held onto her for dear life, as if his very lifeforce depended on her rather than the envirosuit. He didn't want to let her go, ever... she was his, he was hers... that was the way things were supposed to be. Khronos would fight for her... but he knew by the way she slightly trembled she knew that, and didn't want it.

"It's OK, my love. When he comes to see the wedding and see us, he'll see how in love we are. I know it.", he soothes... he hugs her and clings, not letting go. He isn't going anywhere. He's staying right here with his fiance, where he belongs. Hopefully, Consul Vorr would understand. He'd pay back his brother later on, somehow. But for now, he had to be with his future wife... he smiled as he held her. Safely. Comfortably.

[Spindle]

Eris felt the tears begin to flow as she kissed Khronos fiercely, feeling him surrounding her, keeping her safe. That was the worst part of it all. She knew he would be there protecting her at the end...and so would Armillius. If he wasn't convinced at the wedding, she would have started a war...with love. As if reading her thoughts, Khronos began to whisper to her, his words flowing through her mind like a balm and she slowly caught ahold of herself.

"I must look pathetic." She whispered, "I'm sorry. I just- I- I don't want everyone to die because I can't convince Armillius that this is genuine."

[The V O I D]

Eris felt the tears begin to flow as she kissed Khronos fiercely, feeling him surrounding her, keeping her safe. That was the worst part of it all. She knew he would be there protecting her at the end...and so would Armillius. If he wasn't convinced at the wedding, she would have started a war...with love. As if reading her thoughts, Khronos began to whisper to her, his words flowing through her mind like a balm and she slowly caught ahold of herself.

"I must look pathetic." She whispered, "I'm sorry. I just- I- I don't want everyone to die because I can't convince Armillius that this is genuine."

The Imperator's Might
Capital Dreadnought of All Remnant Fleets
The Taari Armada / Remnant

Khronos silenced her with a kiss, embracing her. For a moment there was nothing. No nations. No species. No galaxy. No politics. No war. No endangerment. No survival instinct. It was just her, and him; he, and her. Nothing else mattered or existed; there was only this, and this moment. Right here, right now. Khronos finished off the kiss after a moment to take in some air, before whispering into her ear.

"You don't look pathetic. But I assure you, there's nothing to worry about. Nothing. Everything will be fine.", he whispered... it was firm yet comforting; like when they first met, almost. Khronos stared into her eyes and kept her in his embrace, willing the universe to just let them be. He needed this. His people needed this. He was tired of the wars his people had fought; of the things they had to do just to survive... he wanted this. For himself. For his people. And, yes, for her...

[Spindle]

Eris closed her eyes and lost herself in the kiss, forgetting the worries and the potential disasters of the future. All there was was him and her and that was all there needed to be. She could have been in deep space and not have cared. Just the two of them together, in each other's arms, could move mountains. She shuddered when she realised the truth behind that statement. They could literally move mountains, because of the power they wielded. That was what made their love that little more poignant-and dangerous. As he whispered to her, she felt a core of determination build up insider her.

"Everything." She smiled up at Khronos, "We prevent a war, we get your people a home and we get ourselves an heir. And we look really, really good doing it."

She felt content here...content and comfortable, and warm. It was everything she needed, but she was finding it difficult to keep her eyes open, even when she pointed them at Khronos' face. She didn't even notice her transition between awake and looking at Khronos and asleep and dreaming of him.