OMAKE (I really hope that this never becomes canon) Crossover between ASWAH and Stellaris, part 2:
Commodore Ellison stood before his officers. One
may be a traitor, but all were competent. He trusted these men personally. Together they'd led this ship through glory and hardship alike, and they would do so again today. There was no longer any other option.
"Forget the subtle approach. We're not steering this world right now, and we never were. I want three fighter craft over Jinqi tonight, three over Volantis, three over Asshai, three over King's Landing, and three more over the Targaryen's town. You're to open negotiations with their leaders. We're keeping the same diplomatic teams, but the new objective is recognition of our existence and strength as a military power and trading partner. These places all have psychics in positions of power, so follow the updated protocols. Be aware that they can twist minds at close range. Expect local leaders to consort with nonhumans, or to consider psychically created projections as independent entities with the rights of proper sentients. The diplomatic attaches have been briefed and will conduct actual negociations - this is an escort mission into potentially hostile territory."
He looked at them one last time. Gave Farnsworth a slight smile for encouragement. This wouldn't go like the last few missions on this hellhole: now they were going in strong and doing what they were actually trained for. None of this plotting business.
"This ship will remain in low orbit. We will remain on alert throughout the escort mission, ready to intervene as needed."
Finally. The moment to act.
"Understood?"
"For the Commonwealth, gentlemen!"
Salutes and courage filled the room.
He smiled on his way out.
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"Did it live up to its name ?!?" called out Waymar as the Moonchaser landed back in Sorcerer's Deep.
"That and more!" Lya's joy could only mean one thing - "We have moon dust samples!"
"And we made peaceful contact with its inhabitants, of course." Viserys smoothly interjected as he stepped out of the vehicle. "Here's some strange blood for you, too. Some kind of Star Dragon went after the us when we got close, and it was too feral to be reasoned with."
"Did you bring back a local maiden while you were at it? Cast down an evil God-King and free his slaves?" teased Tyene. "I'll give that vial a look later, see if I can puzzle out anything useful. Maybe--"
"Friends!" interrupted a voice from above. Xor flew down, carried by swift sorcery as much as his natural buoyancy. "The House of Mirrors foresaw your return, and doom coming with it!"
Others would have been shocked. If not at the floating ball of twisted flesh, eyes and teeth, then at such dire portents.
But this was tuesday, and Viserys was quite unfazed.
"What doom? Something urgent? A slow threat?"
A floating pile of parchment landed in his hands. Xor bobbed jerkily: a beholderkin wince. "The omens were veiled by your own wards against foresight, and so a great many attempts were made. Many sought to avoid the issue entirely, and so asked indirect questions."
Lya started flicking through the prophecies, but Viserys just looked at Xor. "We may not have the time to go through that ourselves. What did you make of them?" He looked confident, with just a hint of a smile showing. Xor found himself smiling back. He appreciated the fact that his friends didn't seem affected by the sight. "I trust you."
"Things from beyond the stars have seen you reach the moon. They are great and terrible, with the power to shatter worlds and oceans. And now they come to investigate, to ally, and to conquer. All with one goal: to twist this entire world to serve their unknowable urges. This sounds like--"
"Your home," finishes Maelor.
"Yes." Replied Xor sadly. Viserys and Danny began casting their own divinations, gazing further and deeper than the House of Mirrors could ever hope to. Jumbled High Valyrian rang strangely against the Moonchaser's hull, a sound almost as unnerving to the uninitiated as a scared Beholderkin's voice. "Reality itself doesn't really apply to any of the true Elder Evils. And many of them do have a certain affection for the freedom of the void. I wouldn't be surprised if they hunted us down for sport, and ate our world almost in passing. We should tell people not to look at the stars in coming days, at the very least. And ready our spells and glyphs prepared for use against the Deep Ones."
The Companions fell silent.
They'd fought Gods and monsters, but something that could destroy a world as an afterthought?
Well. This was the sort of tension that only Viserys could manage to defuse, and his attention was elsewhere and elsewhen. Tyene certainly didn't feel up to trying to jape now, and a quick look at Maelor showed he didn't fancy his chances either.
Thankfully not everyone there was used to having a silver tongue. Some situations really only needed some common sense.
"We've got snacks for the Snake and the Trees, right?" Vee shrugged at their looks. "People pray to them all the time, they can figure this out themselves for once. It's their world too!"
"Maybe I can figure something out," said Lya. Hesitant, she continued: "We've turned one godling into a tree already, after all. Maybe we can manage the same for this one somehow?"
"It's a thing with flesh to cut and limbs to burn" said Ser Richard, his voice iron and his hand on Oathkeeper's hilt. "It can die."
Their smiles were all nervous, but they were there.
OOC: I'm going somewhere with this. Setting the scene, as it were. But I really need some sleep now, and I have work tomorrow. I'll get back to this Sunday evening.
I'm planning for this to be a 4-parter, but it may well grow to 5 or 6 if I get inspired.
