Depths of Space (IC, OPEN, FT)

[Theyra]

CNED Resurgence
Rolm Solar System
Planet Primsalis


"I will handle that" Captain Yryln said. "But, I have to return to my ship to established a connection to them".

"Also", Master Rin starts, "I would like if possible to meet a person that knows about the humans from Sol". "I want to update our database about them and prepare for a meeting with them".

"Sadly you misssed your chance, The Earthens left and we didn't really record data. We do however have an alliance with them."

"Oh....well, after we contact our government about the you, we could ask you to tell the "Earthens" about our desire for a meeting and if that's not possible than we'll head to their system after we are done conducting talks with you". "And what is their government called anyway"?

[Delta Eridanus]

Cool! George said and started to mask his power even more. He entered through the airlock, and said, Howdy! I'm George, a Novakid from the Gamma Veil system. Who are you people?

----

Dmitri took a look at the medallion, and said, "That's not human, is it? What are you and why are you on my ship?"

Lyris turned to look at Dimitri. "I'm Lyris Fellhand of House Fellhorn, and I am a Cadian. A short one at that."

----

Ionia replied as the entir bridge of the Old Arcadia looked on.

"We are Cadians, the spacefaring civilization of the Eridanus Constellation."

[Harndar]

"Sadly you misssed your chance, The Earthens left and we didn't really record data. We do however have an alliance with them."

"Oh....well, after we contact our government about the you, we could ask you to tell the "Earthens" about our desire for a meeting and if that's not possible than we'll head to their system after we are done conducting talks with you". "And what is their government called anyway"?

"Their empire is known as the UTT. We can try, but we are not sure if we can."

[Theyra]

"Oh....well, after we contact our government about the you, we could ask you to tell the "Earthens" about our desire for a meeting and if that's not possible than we'll head to their system after we are done conducting talks with you". "And what is their government called anyway"?

"Their empire is known as the UTT. We can try, but we are not sure if we can."

"Okay, I believe we can go back to the ship now Captain". Rin nodded at him.

"We will return to our ship and will tell you what the decision is and regardless of it". "You should count on friendly relation with us and if you can't contact the UTT, It is fine".

The group including the marines bow in respect to the Council and proceeds to leave the chambers.

[Harndar]

"Their empire is known as the UTT. We can try, but we are not sure if we can."

"Okay, I believe we can go back to the ship now Captain". Rin nodded at him.

"We will return to our ship and will tell you what the decision is and regardless of it". "You should count on friendly relation with us and if you can't contact the UTT, It is fine".

The group including the marines bow in respect to the Council and proceeds to leave the chambers.

"We thank you for your cooperation. Oh and... We apologize for the press , they can be excessive at times...."

[Theyra]

"Okay, I believe we can go back to the ship now Captain". Rin nodded at him.

"We will return to our ship and will tell you what the decision is and regardless of it". "You should count on friendly relations with us and if you can't contact the UTT, It is fine".

The group including the marines bow in respect to the Council and proceeds to leave the chambers.

"We thank you for your cooperation. Oh and... We apologize for the press , they can be excessive at times...."

Yryln responds to him. "We will been fine with your press". "I really wished that we were allowed to use our cloaking fields are now" Yryln thought to himself. The group exits the chambers and makes their way back to their dropship.

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnEBT1pAtM&list=PL1D2A1D7806104C3C&index=1

Displeoa System - Heading Towards Lepota - Between Vryi and Lepota - 58 Hours to 59 Hours After Awakening

"We are joining the battle immediately", Admiral Feolf Specht replied to the Captain Dyr. "This battle will end in a Highbreed victory, but I intend to make sure that we make them pay dearly."

Even though retreat was logical, Ostian honor demanded blood. The Highbreed's challenge was to be met in force. Either they lay die, or the Ostians. Despite the ridiculous nature of the order, it was there duty as soldiers to follow orders.

In the quagmire, three more frigates and a cruiser were destroyed immediately. Most of the ships were engaged in counter-boarding actions as the Highbreed began their assault. One of these frigates who was boarded, merely changed course and rammed into one of the bioships and exploded all its unused drop pods. The battlesuits were having a hard time countering the fighters. But as soon as the the close-quarters battlesuits were deployed, the smaller war began to turn to the Ostian's favor. Some of the battlesuit teams were diverting their attention to the boarding actions of the surrounding ships, destroying the spores that have hit the ship and deployed troops.

"The Freia has just been destroyed! Commander we're losing more ships than-"

"Then die with honor! Forward! Kill this filth and all others who stand in our way!"

One of the Tehys were quickly overwhelmed when it separated from the other battlesuits and was quickly swarmed and destroyed. The rest of the specialized battle-suits were deployed, The remaining two Tehyses regrouped with the three Coeus long-range support battlesuits who clung to the nearby destroyers. The Coeus had a gun similar to the destroyers but fired at only 1/4 of its power. Despite this, they were still effective anti-ship weapons. Two Tehyes, eight Prometheuses (High-Speed Close Quarters Battlesuit), and five Hyperion battlesuits protected the destroyers as they began their attack on the bioship which had just suffered a ram and explosion from the previously mentioned frigate. The Coeus Battlesuits and destroyers coordinated their guns and destroyed another bioship.

The loyal.

"Continue the assault! We are live on in the halls of glory today! For the Emperor! For the Imperium! For the Ostia!"

"Arelf! Eject, that acid is dissolving your chestpiece!"

"Ahhhhhh! It burns! Ragh! I die for Ostiaaaa!"

"Arelf- ... He just crashed into the Infinite Justice. Dammit, his sacrifice will not be in vain!"

"Fire all batteries! That one is already at death's door!"

"Commander! The acid has breached our fire control, we can't-"

"Then overload the core and ram into the bastards! We shall take them out!"

The misguided.

"This is Prince Xavier, all ships continue the assault. Any ship that leaves is considered a traitor."

"Die in the name of the All-father!"

"We shall join our brothers and sisters in the embrace of the All-father!"

"Pathetic and foolish you are to refuse his promises!"

The enemy.

"They've overrun our vessel! They're heading towards the bridge!"

"Damned if I let them take our ship, all power to engines, ramming speed!"

"Those bastards just keep on coming in!"

"Keep firing! If you run out, use your knives if you must!"

All three were made equal in death's fold. Today is a good day to die.

1x Dauntless Class Cruiser
7x Virtue Class Frigates
35x Relentless Class Boarding Pods
25x Stalwart Class Fighter Bomber
31x Hyperion All Purpose Battlesuit
17x Prometheus High Speed Close Quarters Combat Battlesuit
1x Tehys Heavy Support Battlesuit

3x Bioships

---------------------------------------------------------
Warhrihet System (Formally the Pravda System) - Warhrihet (Formally Pravda) - The former city of Vneipr - Industrial Complex 415

"Mmh." Sergeant Pozin responded as the dropship landed in the ruined factory through the broken roof. A few moments after landing, the ground began to lower under the dropship revealing a large lift. "Looks like we don't have to brave the surface just yet." As the lift went down, more and more dim lights appeared. An underground city began to take shape as lots of bodies were moving throughout the underground factory complex. Mechanics were fixing Mechnical armors, new recruits were doing excessive on the conveyor belts and below was a small entourage. When the lift stopped, Pozin opened the door to reveal a man in his mid-40s wearing shabby clothing and a red armband. He had a gray beard and a receding hair-line. Almost immediately Pozin stopped and saluted him.

"At ease, Comrade Sergeant," The man said as he walked towards the open door of the dropship. "I am Vlainmir Ulyanov, leader of the Sovik Revolutionary Front. I take it you had a good trip here?"

---------------------------------------------------------
Sol System - Orbit Around Mars - Battle Group Sol - I.O.S. Relentless Zeal, Crown Prince Joseph Marx's Flagship - Hanger - 2030 Earth Hours

Joseph quickly shook Hawksin's hand. "The Spindle I believe, come let us walk in the center. I think it would make the trip to the lift just as fast." As he walked away from the Battlesuit, the battlesuit returned to its standing position.

[Theyra]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnEBT1pAtM&list=PL1D2A1D7806104C3C&index=1

Displeoa System - Heading Towards Lepota - Between Vryi and Lepota - 58 Hours to 59 Hours After Awakening

"We are joining the battle immediately", Admiral Feolf Specht replied to the Captain Dyr. "This battle will end in a Highbreed victory, but I intend to make sure that we make them pay dearly."

Then Admiral sent us coordinates for your worlds so we tell your people about this and to combine our fleet with theirs. "And admiral" Dyr gives him a bow befitting a warrior. "The gods will remember your defiance and by their will not let us let your sacrifice go unanswered".

[The V O I D]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnEBT1pAtM&list=PL1D2A1D7806104C3C&index=1

Displeoa System - Heading Towards Lepota - Between Vryi and Lepota - 58 Hours to 59 Hours After Awakening

"We are joining the battle immediately", Admiral Feolf Specht replied to the Captain Dyr. "This battle will end in a Highbreed victory, but I intend to make sure that we make them pay dearly."

Even though retreat was logical, Ostian honor demanded blood. The Highbreed's challenge was to be met in force. Either they lay die, or the Ostians. Despite the ridiculous nature of the order, it was there duty as soldiers to follow orders.

In the quagmire, three more frigates and a cruiser were destroyed immediately. Most of the ships were engaged in counter-boarding actions as the Highbreed began their assault. One of these frigates who was boarded, merely changed course and rammed into one of the bioships and exploded all its unused drop pods. The battlesuits were having a hard time countering the fighters. But as soon as the the close-quarters battlesuits were deployed, the smaller war began to turn to the Ostian's favor. Some of the battlesuit teams were diverting their attention to the boarding actions of the surrounding ships, destroying the spores that have hit the ship and deployed troops.

"The Freia has just been destroyed! Commander we're losing more ships than-"

"Then die with honor! Forward! Kill this filth and all others who stand in our way!"

One of the Tehys were quickly overwhelmed when it separated from the other battlesuits and was quickly swarmed and destroyed. The rest of the specialized battle-suits were deployed, The remaining two Tehyses regrouped with the three Coeus long-range support battlesuits who clung to the nearby destroyers. The Coeus had a gun similar to the destroyers but fired at only 1/4 of its power. Despite this, they were still effective anti-ship weapons. Two Tehyes, eight Prometheuses (High-Speed Close Quarters Battlesuit), and five Hyperion battlesuits protected the destroyers as they began their attack on the bioship which had just suffered a ram and explosion from the previously mentioned frigate. The Coeus Battlesuits and destroyers coordinated their guns and destroyed another bioship.

The loyal.

"Continue the assault! We are live on in the halls of glory today! For the Emperor! For the Imperium! For the Ostia!"

"Arelf! Eject, that acid is dissolving your chestpiece!"

"Ahhhhhh! It burns! Ragh! I die for Ostiaaaa!"

"Arelf- ... He just crashed into the Infinite Justice. Dammit, his sacrifice will not be in vain!"

"Fire all batteries! That one is already at death's door!"

"Commander! The acid has breached our fire control, we can't-"

"Then overload the core and ram into the bastards! We shall take them out!"

The misguided.

"This is Prince Xavier, all ships continue the assault. Any ship that leaves is considered a traitor."

"Die in the name of the All-father!"

"We shall join our brothers and sisters in the embrace of the All-father!"

"Pathetic and foolish you are to refuse his promises!"

The enemy.

"They've overrun our vessel! They're heading towards the bridge!"

"Damned if I let them take our ship, all power to engines, ramming speed!"

"Those bastards just keep on coming in!"

"Keep firing! If you run out, use your knives if you must!"

All three were made equal in death's fold. Today is a good day to die.

Disploea System
Xarintine / Lepota / Orbit
59-60 Hours After Awakening

The Allmind wasn't displeased. It had successfully ensured chaos. However, It had lost three Bioships. Lepota and Xarintine had enough biomass to make more, and with the Biogenerators, biomass was being generated fast enough to create more. It decided this would be a method best used later. It felt the chaos, fear, rage, and hate thrown around like toys. It felt this with amusement. It continued It's psionic attack on the weakminded, to keep the chaos stirring. Meanwhile, in the Bioship wherein the Tyrant was being created, the shell cracked. And the Tyrant was born. It peered directly through the Tyrant's eyes.

"I am Tyrant Orava of the Highbreed... and I have awakened. Hear my call, brothers... hear me. Those who serve the Allmind will be brought to peace, happiness, and will live forever. We are all one within it. We are all eternally happy. Join us, brothers... heed our call.", the newly-named Orava spoke. When he - Orava - spoke, It felt a tremble of joy. Tyrants were independent enough from It to use their powers to full effectiveness, but were united enough to be far from an individual. Orava was going to be the first of many Tyrants in the future. His voice was felt by all Highbreed, and was felt within the minds of those who claimed the Allmind as the All-father. Orava smiled, for the Allmind.

Orava then seemed displeased, being informed via psionics of how the battle was going. He decided something needed to be done. And so, he sent the Biofighters to target the engines of all warships to stop them from ramming. He also sent out tendrils and swarms of Biofighters to deal with the Tehys. Many swarms. He grinned with absolute sadistic delight. Oh, this was going to be fun. It had been so long since he had awoken, and now the Allmind had selected him to come forth and lead the charge of the Highbreed's return. Orava began laughing in a sinister tone to himself. It was good to be awake. The Allmind laughed with him. Soon, this battle would be won. Orava also began construction of more Bioships underground on Lepota and Xarintine...

[Spindle]

Eris closed her eyes as they went through the dance, letting her other senses heighten and guide her through. The feel of Khronos' body under her hands, the smell of him so close, the lingering, slightly alcoholic, taste of his lips. She felt them more as she stepped through the dance, remembering their first dance, when she had been confused and unsure of herself: scared of what was happening inside her. But now she knew, now she was happy and content by Khronos' side.

Euphemia watched the two dancing with a gentle smile as she re-entered the Ballroom. This was how relations between peoples and cultures should be formed: not with the exchange of arms and force but with peace, love and understanding. Watching the two of them, so happy with each other, was exactly the way that bonds were made between nations-bonds that lasted far longer than they should by all measures of political science.

And Lyson doesn't understand that, does he? The small voice in the back of her head muttered, and Euphemia's face soured. Lyson worried her. She'd seen many people who had convinced themselves of things that were obvious to anyone looking, but Lyson...how he couldn't see Eris' love for Khronos, Euphemia didn't know. The closest model Euphemia could use to explain his actions was a heartbroken teen who pushed all other love away...but his actions could potentially be worse than just a few broken hearts.

This isn't the time to be thinking about this! Euphemia scolded herself, brightening up her face, This is a party! Don't spoil it for everybody else by being miserable!




Ophius glanced up as the battlesuits fell into position around the shuttle, feeling a slight shiver as she did so. Although Spindle had experimented with heavy powered armor, it had never worked; the reactions had been too slow, the power source had never been powerful enough and the structure had been too prone to collapse. The fact that the Ostians had heavy powered armor highlighted a point that many Spindleans vigorously denied: Spindle was still behind the game in far too many areas.

As the message came over the internal speakers, Ophius opened the microphone and replied:

"My thanks, Sergeant Bayer, and my thanks also to the Ostian Imperium for extending an escort. Well, unless it's just to keep us from poking around your ships. We're nosy like that."

She glanced up at the pilot, who accepted the unspoken command and let the battlesuits guide him towards the steadily-growing form of the Relentless Zeal. As the shuttle continued to coast towards its destination, Eris finished off the Damocles petition and saved it. She'd probably need to lay a bit of groundwork before she could get it through, but she felt confident in her ability to get the Damocles around Sol within a week. Well, she'd probably have to ask the UTT as well, but she could take care of that here.

A force smashed into her from behind as the shuttle burnt off its momentum before gently maneuvering itself into the hanger of the Relentless Zeal, setting down with the battlesuits touching down around it. Ophius stood up, crossed to the exit hatch and stepped out into the Ostian ship.




Scorpius would have frowned, if he had control over his facial muscles. What was going on here? There were a few ships orbiting the verdant planets, but other than that there was...nothing. No sign of the Floran fleet, no Colma. Just green planets and a few ships. As further data poured in, Scorpius' puzzlement increased. The ships didn't even match with any of the recognised Floran patterns. Had the b-space trajectory been off? If so, how could it have been off yet still landed them in a system with spacefaring life? Was this a trap, or something else?

A thought sent a comm LASER spearing through space towards the Shade, informing it of its new mission. It detached from the formation with its maneuvering thrusters and pulled itself into a new orbit, one that passed through the system. With any luck, the flyby would give them far more detailed data on the anomalous ships and give them an indication of whether the Florans had their ships hidden on the planet. And if they detected the Shade...well, if it could transmit its data back before it died, its sacrifice would not be in vain.

[Harndar]

"We thank you for your cooperation. Oh and... We apologize for the press , they can be excessive at times...."

Yryln responds to him. "We will been fine with your press". "I really wished that we were allowed to use our cloaking fields are now" Yryln thought to himself. The group exits the chambers and makes their way back to their dropship.

A wave of the press was outside the building and went to the docking station. The only protection was the Harndarian guards and their barricades.

[Osnil]

Pravada System
Kale stood tall and looked at Ulaymov, "Yes, Sir. I did. The events of my death were greatly exaggerated by the other military leaders in the Commonwealth. It should keep the Inquisition from assassinating me for a while."

[The United Tributational Territories]

Ophius glanced up as the battlesuits fell into position around the shuttle, feeling a slight shiver as she did so. Although Spindle had experimented with heavy powered armor, it had never worked; the reactions had been too slow, the power source had never been powerful enough and the structure had been too prone to collapse. The fact that the Ostians had heavy powered armor highlighted a point that many Spindleans vigorously denied: Spindle was still behind the game in far too many areas.

As the message came over the internal speakers, Ophius opened the microphone and replied:

"My thanks, Sergeant Bayer, and my thanks also to the Ostian Imperium for extending an escort. Well, unless it's just to keep us from poking around your ships. We're nosy like that."

She glanced up at the pilot, who accepted the unspoken command and let the battlesuits guide him towards the steadily-growing form of the Relentless Zeal. As the shuttle continued to coast towards its destination, Eris finished off the Damocles petition and saved it. She'd probably need to lay a bit of groundwork before she could get it through, but she felt confident in her ability to get the Damocles around Sol within a week. Well, she'd probably have to ask the UTT as well, but she could take care of that here.

A force smashed into her from behind as the shuttle burnt off its momentum before gently maneuvering itself into the hanger of the Relentless Zeal, setting down with the battlesuits touching down around it. Ophius stood up, crossed to the exit hatch and stepped out into the Ostian ship.

John and Shellist walked over to Ophius and bowed, welcoming her. "Before we go to the banquet, I'd like to hear if you have any news on the Floran infiltration."
The two Guards, Parker and Fritz, both released air from their armor, bursts of steam exiting from the ventilation holes in the armor.


OOC: Thought I might as well show off my armor, this is from my factbook which is still a WIP.

Scorpius would have frowned, if he had control over his facial muscles. What was going on here? There were a few ships orbiting the verdant planets, but other than that there was...nothing. No sign of the Floran fleet, no Colma. Just green planets and a few ships. As further data poured in, Scorpius' puzzlement increased. The ships didn't even match with any of the recognised Floran patterns. Had the b-space trajectory been off? If so, how could it have been off yet still landed them in a system with spacefaring life? Was this a trap, or something else?

A thought sent a comm LASER spearing through space towards the Shade, informing it of its new mission. It detached from the formation with its maneuvering thrusters and pulled itself into a new orbit, one that passed through the system. With any luck, the flyby would give them far more detailed data on the anomalous ships and give them an indication of whether the Florans had their ships hidden on the planet. And if they detected the Shade...well, if it could transmit its data back before it died, its sacrifice would not be in vain.

The planets stayed the same, no movement emanating from them. It was as if everything was dead. The few ships didn't even move. They were in orbit, no rockets or lights on. The green on the planets slowly receded, almost unnoticeably slow. The planets then had no green, except for the north and south poles. The foliage did this multiple times, and at closer examination it would seem natural for this to be happening.

[The United Tributational Territories]

Cool! George said and started to mask his power even more. He entered through the airlock, and said, Howdy! I'm George, a Novakid from the Gamma Veil system. Who are you people?

----

Dmitri took a look at the medallion, and said, "That's not human, is it? What are you and why are you on my ship?"

Lyris turned to look at Dimitri. "I'm Lyris Fellhand of House Fellhorn, and I am a Cadian. A short one at that."

----

Ionia replied as the entir bridge of the Old Arcadia looked on.

"We are Cadians, the spacefaring civilization of the Eridanus Constellation."

Dmitri asks her without flinching, "Why are you on my ship." The crew members don't notice anything and continue to prepare for jump. The Argent Spire was going to find life.

----

George giggled like a child before saying, Never heard of you people before. Do you own all of the Constellation?

[The Dark Brotherhood of Deros]

Hawksin and Stien followed after Joseph, wondering who these "Spindle" were.

[Spindle]

Ophius blinked in surprise as the steam jetted from the two escorts, before she turned to Shellist.

"We don't know yet. Unless anything goes enormously wrong we'll only know what's happening when they get back and send us the data. But we can discuss that at dinner." She paused for a moment, eying the two guards, the clouds of steam just beginning to dissipate, "Are those suits meant to do that? Because if not, you may be getting some crispy-oh, where are my manners?"

She curtsied swiftly, before her head came back up and she continued talking on.

"Anyway, I'm Lady Ophius. This is the first time we've met isn't it...face-to-face, at least. Yes, the last time we met I was sorting out the mess Scorpius had made. So, how's everything been since then? Any plans on settling down?"




Captain Ceto was bored. Her mind had been linked into the computing system of an Ophian: it was extraordinarily quick to respond, intuitive and flexible. She could have beaten the greatest chess player of the twentieth century with contemptuous ease in this state, could have solved hundreds of complex equations in a heartbeat and barely noticed it. In fact, she did, every second and every course correction.

But the genius mind available to her was being used for data-gathering. It was ridiculous! Why was a flyby necessary? The Ophains could have simply destroyed the largest concentrations of ships in a single, surprise blow and then take the system! It was by far the best option available to them! But Scorpius wanted information, so Ceto had needed to drop herself-her ship, rather-into an orbit to gather more detailed data from the planet, most of revolving around the plant life down there apparently being tidal, which made no sense given that the moons should cause tide that was from twenty to fifty degrees off of the observed tides. It was all so stupid! The big, dumb, ships there hadn't noticed them, the bigger, dumber planets were showing no sign of reaction and she was stuck here, bored out of her mind, collecting data on the various big, dumb objects floating around the system. If only something would happen!

[Delta Eridanus]

Dmitri asks her without flinching, "Why are you on my ship." The crew members don't notice anything and continue to prepare for jump. The Argent Spire was going to find life.

----

George giggled like a child before saying, Never heard of you people before. Do you own all of the Constellation?

Lyris continued staring back at Dmitri. "To find Lady Ashara Dayne."

The Cadian walked over to a computer console, and brought up a map of the Eridanus Constellation, which Lyris herself had color-coded by which house owned which systems.

----

Ionia nodded. "Pretty much. We mostly live on the inner planets, except for the Martells."

[The V O I D]

Eris closed her eyes as they went through the dance, letting her other senses heighten and guide her through. The feel of Khronos' body under her hands, the smell of him so close, the lingering, slightly alcoholic, taste of his lips. She felt them more as she stepped through the dance, remembering their first dance, when she had been confused and unsure of herself: scared of what was happening inside her. But now she knew, now she was happy and content by Khronos' side.

Euphemia watched the two dancing with a gentle smile as she re-entered the Ballroom. This was how relations between peoples and cultures should be formed: not with the exchange of arms and force but with peace, love and understanding. Watching the two of them, so happy with each other, was exactly the way that bonds were made between nations-bonds that lasted far longer than they should by all measures of political science.

And Lyson doesn't understand that, does he? The small voice in the back of her head muttered, and Euphemia's face soured. Lyson worried her. She'd seen many people who had convinced themselves of things that were obvious to anyone looking, but Lyson...how he couldn't see Eris' love for Khronos, Euphemia didn't know. The closest model Euphemia could use to explain his actions was a heartbroken teen who pushed all other love away...but his actions could potentially be worse than just a few broken hearts.

This isn't the time to be thinking about this! Euphemia scolded herself, brightening up her face, This is a party! Don't spoil it for everybody else by being miserable!

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

Khronos smiled at Eris, keeping her close as he continued the dance with her. He was happy to be with her. Oh how he was excited for the wedding the next day. She would be his wife... they would rule his people... with the gift from Armilius, eventually, all the Taari would be able to live anywhere they wanted... the Taari would enter a new golden age. He couldn't be happier, or more in love. He kissed her once more. And for once, Lyson wasn't in his thoughts...

"Eris, my love... what did I do to deserve you?", Khronos asked in a muttered tone. He was wondering what he did for the Gods to gift him with such a beautiful woman; for Fate to have them meet and love. For everything to have happened so perfectly. Khronos sighed slightly in joy as he hugged Eris, holding her close in the dance. Tonight was a good night.

[Spindle]

Eris smiled back up at Khronos as they danced, feet moving almost without thought. Everything here was so...perfect. The ballroom, the music, the wine...and Khronos. So solid. So...tangible. She knew that he was there, she would know he was there even had she been deprived of her senses. But she had her senses and it was glorious; the taste of his tongue, the feeling of his hands strong around her waist, the smell of him and simply looking into his face and hearing his voice. He was so beautiful...

His question sank into her mind for a few seconds and she cocked her head quizzically at it.

"How could you not have deserved this?" She asked, "You're a good man, Khronos. This is the very least you deserve."

[The V O I D]

Eris smiled back up at Khronos as they danced, feet moving almost without thought. Everything here was so...perfect. The ballroom, the music, the wine...and Khronos. So solid. So...tangible. She knew that he was there, she would know he was there even had she been deprived of her senses. But she had her senses and it was glorious; the taste of his tongue, the feeling of his hands strong around her waist, the smell of him and simply looking into his face and hearing his voice. He was so beautiful...

His question sank into her mind for a few seconds and she cocked her head quizzically at it.

"How could you not have deserved this?" She asked, "You're a good man, Khronos. This is the very least you deserve."

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

Khronos smiled at her answer. He felt that she was right. No, he knew it. He just had trouble believing it. But he didn't voice that, instead, he kissed her passionately as he ended the dance, holding her close as he stared into her eyes. Khronos picked up Eris, hugging her close as he carried her to a seat, sitting with her in his lap. He held her in his lap, smiling at her, his hands playing with her hair. Khronos began to wonder something.

Where have you been all my life?, he thought to himself, about Eris. Khronos felt stronger with her; better. Happier. It was a good feeling, a strong feeling. He didn't want to let that go, ever. It was here that Khronos made a silent pact with the Gods that he would join them in the Afterlife before he let her come to harm by anyone, or anything, in the entire universe if necessary. He continued holding Eris, smiling at her...

[Delta Eridanus]

If there are gods amongst the stars, it would be best if we revered them. - Lord Elias Martell, on the religion of Cadia.

----

Daggerfall, Cadia - The Sunspear Citadel, Stronghold of the Martells

Arron Dayne and his team of Starguard were in the Sunspear Citadel, receiving orders from Arthur Dayne, Allyria's master-at-arms and younger brother.

"Brother, I'm trusting you with this task. If you succeed, you will set us on the path to finding Ashara."

Arron, the youngest Dayne, nodded. "I will not fail Allyria."

Arthur nodded, and disconnected.

Arron turned to his comrades. "Listen up, men! We are here to investigate the Martells on Allyria Dayne's orders. She has reason to believe the Martells had a hand in the disappearance of Ashara Dayne. Understood?"

"Yes, Lord Dayne."

Arron and his team began searching the Citadel.

--

Arron was in the Archives of House Martell, searching.

Just as he was about to give up, Arron found a sealed metal cylinder, usually reserved for top-secret communications between houses. The Cadian scanned the cylinder, and took it when he discovered it concerned the Daynes.

Arron radioed to his team. "Get to the roof. We found what we came for."

[The United Tributational Territories]

Dmitri asks her without flinching, "Why are you on my ship." The crew members don't notice anything and continue to prepare for jump. The Argent Spire was going to find life.

----

George giggled like a child before saying, Never heard of you people before. Do you own all of the Constellation?

Lyris continued staring back at Dmitri. "To find Lady Ashara Dayne."

The Cadian walked over to a computer console, and brought up a map of the Eridanus Constellation, which Lyris herself had color-coded by which house owned which systems.

----

Ionia nodded. "Pretty much. We mostly live on the inner planets, except for the Martells."

Dmitri studied the map, and looked back at Lyris. "How would being on a UTT ship help you find this lady?"

----

George started floating again, and was upside down when he asked, Who are the Martells? They sound like a nice group of people. Martells rhymes with Lells. They probably have lots of laughs.

[Delta Eridanus]

Lyris pulled up an overlay of starship traffic in the Eridanus constellation, color-coded the same.

From the product, Dmitri could see the trading convoys of House Lupercal traveling between the Forge-Worlds of House Fellhorn, and the military ships of House Argenteus patrolling the constellation.

"The Martells have eyes all over the Eridanus constellation. They needed to be watched from outside the constellation."

----

"Yes, they are nice people. Just a bit too religious." Ionia explained.

[The United Tributational Territories]

Lyris pulled up an overlay of starship traffic in the Eridanus constellation, color-coded the same.

From the product, Dmitri could see the trading convoys of House Lupercal traveling between the Forge-Worlds of House Fellhorn, and the military ships of House Argenteus patrolling the constellation.

"The Martells have eyes all over the Eridanus constellation. They needed to be watched from outside the constellation."

----

"Yes, they are nice people. Just a bit too religious." Ionia explained.

Dmirti asked with concern, "Are they not to be trusted?"

----

Religion is bullshit, I've existed since the beginning of time and can give no proof of a higher being.

[Theyra]

Yryln responds to him. "We will been fine with your press". "I really wished that we were allowed to use our cloaking fields are now" Yryln thought to himself. The group exits the chambers and makes their way back to their dropship.

A wave of the press was outside the building and went to the docking station. The only protection was the Harndarian guards and their barricades.

The group goes to the dropship and leaves for the ship but, not without the media getting extra excited over them being insectoids. The dropships lands in the ship and the group walks to the conference room and waits for the comm link to be ready.

"That was different than I expected", Yryln said and was glad that the Harndarian guards kept the media back. "Master Rin what are your thought about the Harndarians before the link is established with the Council"?

"They seem friendly and don't pose a threat to us do to their level of technology". "While a formal alliance is unlikely, a trade alliance may be something the council is more willing to do".

"Captain Yryln, the link is active and the Council is ready to talk to you",said Vin over the ship's comm network.

"Then start it" said Yryln and a holographic projection of the Council appears on the table in the middle of the room.

"Captain Yryln, you have new for us"?

"We have made first contact with a human civilization". "We found them in a system where their was a small chance of alien life". 'Theses humans called themselves the Harndarians and are a separate civilization from the humans from Sol". 'In fact the Harndarians already meet them and have a alliance with them but, we know is that the Sol system has more than just humans in it".

There is some talk among them, "what about this Harndarians, can they be trusted"? asked Councilor Rasos.

Master Rin added, "The Harndarians themselves seem friendly and they are significantly less advanced than us". "We have met with their council and they want a alliance with us". "I know that an alliance is not allowed yet, but trade may be a good sign of goodwill and a good way of getting the government at Sol the UTT on good terms when we meet them next".

"Do you know what they are willing to trade with?" asked Councilor Toia.

'Not yet but, they are willing to trade more than just traditionally goods".

The council talked among themselves for a few minutes.

"Captain Yryln, we have decided that while a alliance is not possible at this time, we are willing to trade with them". "Get the the information of what resources they are willing to trade and we will see what will be exchanged". And the link closes.

Yryln activates the comm link on his wristguard, "Vin, I want a message sent to the Harndarians that "while an alliance is not possible, we would like to trade with them". "And perhaps a alliance is possible down the road".