The five major Noble Houses of the Empire had assembled in a conference room behind the actual Imperial Throne Room. Inside The Lord Commander of the Grey Guard and a young woman in a bland, unadorned, field grey uniform awaited.
Gentlemen and Ladies. With our new Emperor crowned i think it is time to inform you of the State of the Empire and the Galaxy
A young woman in a field grey officers uniform steps forward. Her pale blue eyes flit over the gathered nobility with disinterest, taking them in, processing them and then discounting them before she begins an impassionate rundown of the information on the Empire:
" As of this moment the Empire is in a major state of disarray. Despite our best efforts almost every planet is plagued by major problems of every kind. The Imperial Star Maps are inaccurate, outdated or plain wrong and instead of alleviating the Church Situation, their current weakness have made things dangerously unstable.
But lets get into the Details. First Domestic Issues:
The Reclamation Program on Si'kar, is progressing as slow as one might expect. Since the Church used up Cr'toks stocks of chemical, bio and gods know what other warheads on the Planet to vanquish House Nova and the native Xeno Population, the Planet has been requalified from a Earth-like to a Death World. The situation is dire, two-thirds of the planet are uninhabitable and tthe rest will follow suit if the Empire doesn't take action to alleviate this Ecological Catastrophe.
Agri-Primes massive Slave Population has always been a problem. And while several Uprisings have been put down recently, the situation is rapidly deteriorating, and a full blown rebellion is imminent. We have determined three solutions to the current problem: Stepping up the Anti-Insurgency actions, Extermination or Deportation of the Slave Population or Emancipation of said population.
Vengeance is an entire hotbed of issues. It is of major interest to the Church, not only because it is a Holy World and Graveyard World, but also since the Church lost most of its power, influence and fleet in the failed two crusades for the Planet. In fact the only Imperial presence on the planet as of this moment is House Rastyqua, who is situated there to fulfill some kind of Penance to the Church.
Human population has decreased to an estimated 25 million after the most recent crusade, while mutant population is stagnant at about 4 to 500 million. The Mutant population are the main issue currently why the planet can not be safely settled. That aside large scale recolonization would require major hydroponic farming operations, since the planets biosphere can barely sustain the current population.
Otherwise Space Trade could be reestablished to import food from other worlds, this however brings me to the other major issue of the planet: Wrecks. The Planet is surrounded by some odd four hundred shipwrecks and uncounted corpses of the Wreckan People. making Space Travel around the planets orbit a dangerous proposition.
Finally there is Garthon III. It is a planet with some major potential, if the dangerous flora, fauna and the local mutant tribes are brought into line. Also law and order would need to be restored in Bastion, the only Hive City of the Planet.
That being said lets move on to External Issues:
The Church is the main issue. Not only do they wish to know their position in the new empire, they also wish to know when we are going to move the Imperial Palace onto one of our "own" Planets . Furthermore our General Stance towards Xenos, Mutants, Heresy, Heathenism and Technology is of interest to them. Per ancient Documents dating back to even before the Downfall the Church has a right to interfere in state issues and the world of Halo was granted to them by Emperor Kalros "The Pious" about 300 years before the downfall. While the Church was weakened through the two crusades it is still a major political player. If they manages to contact the Exploratoris Fleets they will be able to muster more ships and troops than we currently can. But that is a big if, most of the fleets are far outside of comms reach, at least if our intel on their tech is correct.
The Gered Remnant was allowed to settle on the world of Braxis in the Si'kar System, by the now apostate Archon Luthias Hartwing. The self-same man who bombed Si'kar into oblivion.
He allowed the Gered to settle on the Ice World and so far they have made no attempts to colonize more worlds. In fact the barren Ice Planet has turned into a hospitable Garden World. So Far the Gered themselves have proven Isolationist mainly because of their Teg' brethren.
The following information is highly confidential and apart from your here this information is not known to the Church. They know nothing about Braxis and we should keep it that way, lest they decide to call another crusade.
Fact is that the Gered have apparently been a highly advanced civilization. What we could garner so far is that they are humanoid, in fact they are very closely related to humans...they might even be a sub-species of the homo genus. In any case through some catastrophe they had to evacuate their worlds in massive sleeper ships. Several are still scattered about, a few have started moving towards Braxis however. The Gered themselves are no threat to us but the Teg' are. Their weapons technology even surpasses that of the Grey Guard and the fact that they are animated Gered corpses puzzles our best researchers. In general the Gered are amiable towards keeping peace. The Grey Guard would advise against military actions, since we are not sure on how well our fleets would perform against one of these Teg'Gered Motherships.
Then there is the Triumvirate. As you all know they were already a majorly powerful Guild House before the Downfall and this allowed them to form a seperate entity after the War. The Triumvirate currently rules over the Trinity System, one of the richest and most populated systems even before the Downfall. It contains no less than SEVEN habitable Worlds, and they rule over a combined population of an estimated 17 billion people. They have developed an alternative to old hyperspace travel, which is slower but reliable. In fact without our artifact technology we would be hopelessly outclassed. Furthermore the Triumvirate is the lifeline of our Empire. Most of interplanetary trade and commerce is handled by them. But as it is it might be in our interest to integrate them somehow into the empire. Subterfuge may be advisable here instead of military action.
But that is not all, they also all but own the Telemarchies. Officially free and independent systems, they are in truth beholden to the Triumvirate and provide most of the manpower for their fleets and armies.
The Kaldir have never been a great issue for us. As far as we are aware they have kept out of our Business and we out of theirs even before the Downfall. Not that we could hold a candle against them in any case. The true issue here are the Voivodes which serve as a buffer zone between us and them. Since the Downfall however there haven't been any border clashes.
Finally the Lost Worlds. It is widely known that many worlds have been lost during and before the Downfall. Most notably Earth itself. But also other major Imperial Worlds like Artemis and Stigmata have been lost to time.
Beyond that some Political Posts need to be filled out. Foremost that of the Treasurer and the uh...Spymaster."
Having finished her report the officer salutes and turns around to leave the room, oddly enough the Malcador stands at attention when she passes him.
"Now then." Spoke Sigfried Azores. "I know the runoff election has been difficult, but let's get down to work on the issues facing our Empire."
"Firstly, we need to distribute positions in the imperial government.
"Next," He stroked his beard, "we come to Domestic Issues."
"First is the Reclamation Program on Si'kar. This whole debacle has given us a chance to attempt to reorginize the planet. So, my intent is to see the planet's lands sold. The houses buying the lands on Si'Kar will receive proportionate shares in the decisions of its reconstruction, as well as commensurate shares in the costs thereof."
"As regards Agri-Primes massive Slave Population, my neighbors in House Wittlesbach have prevailed on me to give emancipation a try. We'll start with a limited implementation, details of which I am open to suggestion on, to see if the solution works. If so, we can expand the program."
"Vengeance... Personally, I think the Church should spearhead efforts to reconstruct here, given their hand in causing the issue. At least in the matter of subsidizing the work. Why should the layman expect to pay tithes to the church to damage something, only to then pay taxes to repair the Church's mistake? The Mutants should be exterminated, if possible, but that doesn't seem to BE possible. Regardless of the solution, and suggestions on the matter are welcome, the Church is largely responsible for breaking it, they should pay to have it cleaned up."
"Garthon III I see as a world with more potential. Military force seems to be the obvious solution, we just need volunteers. Make your cases, ladies and gentlemen, though regardless, I think my house will offer troops. It seems like a good place to establish as a new Imperial capital, conveying a sense of progress and reclamation, rather than stagnation and decay."
"Now, the Church. As you may have gathered, I'm not particularly impressed by their efforts so far. Xenos, Mutants, Heresy, Heathenism and Technology is of interest to them, so, my stance on each. For Xenos, I favor cautious exploitation. Where useful, use them. Where not, discard them. Subhuman they may be, but so are dogs, and they can be trained to be loyal and useful. Mutants, however, are a scourge on our civilization as a corruption of Man, and deserve nothing but destruction wherever possible. Heathenism is likewise important. While free thought can be useful, it is also dangerous, and especially in church doctrine, I see no reason to allow much leeway on major issues. Finally.... technology. I would say it is here I am most opposed to the Church. The Church do not have any grounds to be determining what technology is acceptable, and while I agree caution is needed, they are not the proper arbiters of what is and is not acceptable technology."
"The Gered Remnant should see an immediate military mission. We need to know if they are Xeno or Mutant, or human. More importantly, if they can be used. Volunteers?"
"Then there is the Triumvirate. It is my opinion that we should focus on suborning the Telemarchies. Crush their manpower, and we can crush them."
"The Kaldir seem to be a non-issue at the moment, as do the Lost Worlds."
Matriarch Xhosa stepped forward, raising her falconry gauntlet aloft at the newly-elected Emperor's request for volunteers to meet with the Gerad Remnant. She'd already volunteered, of course, but there had been a great deal of excitement with the voting, and it seemed likely that her statement of willingness had been lost in the shuffle.
"House Avernus will contact the Gered Remnant. Our dynasty has a storied history of bringing the Xeno into the fold of the Empire, and we would delighted to use our natural gifts to ensure that they find their place within our society."
Matriarch Xhosa stepped forward, raising her falconry gauntlet aloft at the newly-elected Emperor's request for volunteers to meet with the Gerad Remnant. She'd already volunteered, of course, but there had been a great deal of excitement with the voting, and it seemed likely that her statement of willingness had been lost in the shuffle.
"House Avernus will contact the Gered Remnant. Our dynasty has a storied history of bringing the Xeno into the fold of the Empire, and we would delighted to use our natural gifts to ensure that they find their place within our society."
[color= grey]Your Majesty, the positions in question would be that of Imperial Treasurer and Imperial Spymaster. You might also want to consider to appoint Admirals, Field Marshals and Diplomats to various Theathers, Embassies and Missions.[/color]
Your Majesty, the positions in question would be that of Imperial Treasurer and Imperial Spymaster. You might also want to consider to appoint Admirals, Field Marshals and Diplomats to various Theathers, Embassies and Missions.
' Before anybody else asks, House Wittlesbach would be honored to seve at any imperial position.
May I recommend the services of my uncle as a diplomat?"
The prince smiles, confident that Emperor Sigfird is off to a good start... good for all of them.
' Before anybody else asks, House Wittlesbach would be honored to seve at any imperial position.
May I recommend the services of my uncle as a diplomat?"
The prince smiles, confident that Emperor Sigfird is off to a good start... good for all of them.
House Hartwing Siegfried Hartwing joined the discussion of the imperial policy alongside others. Unlike other houses, Hartwings were withdrawn and silent during the elections and coronation, casting their vote, but withdrawn until now. Halo was not a place where they wanted to show themselves too openly.
The Patriarch of the house wore a military-styled uniform in a shade of purple, with gold embroidery upon it, and a symbol of a single wing with a talon on it. The middle-aged man had been showing the signs of graying in his raven-black hair, but his brown eyes were showing a gaze of a determined man.
"Your Majesty, may I present House Hartwing for the position of Imperial Treasurer. I would also like to put ourselves forward for the position of the main executors of the Vengeance problem, given that we have our holdings on that world." He observed others, looking for any signs of their reaction.
House Hartwing Siegfried Hartwing joined the discussion of the imperial policy alongside others. Unlike other houses, Hartwings were withdrawn and silent during the elections and coronation, casting their vote, but withdrawn until now. Halo was not a place where they wanted to show themselves too openly.
The Patriarch of the house wore a military-styled uniform in a shade of purple, with gold embroidery upon it, and a symbol of a single wing with a talon on it. The middle-aged man had been showing the signs of graying in his raven-black hair, but his brown eyes were showing a gaze of a determined man.
"Your Majesty, may I present House Hartwing for the position of Imperial Treasurer. I would also like to put ourselves forward for the position of the main executors of the Vengeance problem, given that we have our holdings on that world." He observed others, looking for any signs of their reaction.
"My son, Heinrich, he's an excellent administrator and eager to serve. He can be trusted with Imperial business. I also accept your Majesty's support, albeit I'm not sure that the Church looks upon our dynasty too fondly..."
"My son, Heinrich, he's an excellent administrator and eager to serve. He can be trusted with Imperial business. I also accept your Majesty's support, albeit I'm not sure that the Church looks upon our dynasty too fondly..."
When one thought of the Azores, the picture of ancient Prussian Junkers from Old Earth came to mind.And so it was little wonder that the crowning ceremony was spartan in every way. No great depicitions of Wealth, No Wasteful Spending to show the Wealth of the Empire. What Siegfried Azores wanted to drive home amongst his Nobles and the People of the Galaxy was one thing: Martial Might.
Hundreds of Azores House Troops intermingled with the occasional Grey Guard lined the Great Hall. The Raven Banner of the Grey Guard, next to the Imperial Eagle where but minor points, the most prevalent was the banner of the Azores. The Emperor himself arrived in an entire Military Parade, including Space-to-Ground Fighters, Atmospheric Landers and even ancient super-heavy tanks, dragged from some old warehouses.
When it came to the Ceremony itself, it was held in one of the many Fortresses which protected the Imperial Capital. And the guests, which interestingly excluded the Church, The Kaldiri, The Wreckan and the Bolg. Still the guests included people from all over human space, from the Telemarchs to the Triumvirate and even a few of the Voivods who seemed ill at east among the snarling people surrounding them.
The real shocker came however when various Xenos appeared. Representatives of the Xeno-Levies of Agri-Prime, Chieftians of the Freeslaver Tribes and most importantly the Gered Delegation. In shock and awe people watched as a hunched over man with a prominent brow, not so different from a mutant or a particular stupid looking man entered the room in resplended robes. His face was broad, open, a face which could not or only barely conceal feelings. Behind him entered Teg'Gered, for the benefit of the crowd hidden in massive cloaks, their shambling forms still towered even over the Grey Guard. Even so, the Gered himself towered over most humans at a good 2,50 meters.
With the guests arrived, the Ceremony could finally come to its grand conclusion. The Coronation of Siegfried...who put the crown on his head himself. An absolute ruler. This coronation clearly showed one thing, the Azores were not intent on pussy-footing around and the Empire would see some turbulent times ahead.
((Note that this is here only to signify that actions can now be posted. The season will end after all relevant roleplay has been done and all characters have fulfilled their actions. In your Family posts is so far no new information.))
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House Azores Total Fiefs: 12
Patriarch Siegfried Azores
Age: Middle-Aged Traits: Gambler, Ugly Fiefs: Azores Family Holdings (Size 3) - Produces 3 Wealth Matriarch Mathilde Azores de Treming
Age: Middle-Aged Traits: Duelist, Inbred Fiefs: Azores de Treming Family Holdings (Size 3) - Produces 3 Wealth
Leona Azores, Daughter of the Patriarch Age: Young Adult Traits: Tall, Inbred Fiefs: Agri-Prime Western Farmlands (Size 3) - Produces 3 Wealth
Luzia Azores de Treming, Sister of the Matriarch Age: Middle-Aged Traits: Natural Commander (+1), Homicidal Fiefs: Agri-Prime Northern Farmlands (Size 3) - Produces 3 Wealth
Adolf Azores, Uncle of the Patriarch Age: Growing Old Traits: Tall, Natural Commander(+1), Brave, Strong
Armin Azores, Cousin of the Patriarch (male) Age: Mid-Twenties Traits: Charitable, Dwarf
Nadja Azores, Sister of the Patriarch Age: Mid-Fourties Traits: Slob
Carstein Azores de Treming, Brother of the Matriarch Age: Adult Traits: Inbred
Emil Azores, Cousin twice removed of the Patriarch (male) Age: Young-Adult Traits: Brave, Natural Diplomat (+2)
Yvonne Azores de Treming, aunt-in-law of the Patriarch
Age: Mid-Fifties Traits: Natural Fighter (+1), Duellist, Gambler
Seraphina Azores, Cousin twice removed of the Patriarch(female) Age: Young-Adult Traits: Suave, Strong, Brave, Natural Commander (+1)
Reinhilde Azores, Cousin thrice removed of the Patriarch(female) Age: Mid-Fourties Traits: Drunkard, Strong
Serah Avernus, Cousin of the Matriarch (female)
Age: Aged
Traits: Bloodthirsty Sadist, Gambler, Brave
Piotor Avernus, Cousin of the Matriarch
Age: Aged
Traits: Craven, Weak,
Trent Avernus, Cousin Thrice-Removed of the Matriarch
Age: Adult
Traits: Greedy, Lustful
Sheridan Wernholdt Mufasa Avernus, Brother of the Matriarch
Age: Young Adult
Traits: Dwarf, Drunkard, Misshapen, Charitable
__________________________
Imperial Space and Known Systems
G-Class Star
Dust Cloud
Composition: unkown ( Wasserstoff/Helium)
Sights of Interest:unkown
Garthon III
Gravity: Heavy
Atmosphere: Toxic (Breathmask Mandatory)
Type and Climate: 65% Water, 35% Land, Lush Jungles cover large parts of the Planet
Special Informations: Death World. Resource Rich, Extensive Cave Systems inhabitated by Mutant Warlords
Nobility: House Morgarten (3 Fiefs)
Population: estimated between 3 and 7 Billion Humans, estimated 1 Billion Mutants
Average Tech-Level: Hive-Level Archeotech present, Neo-Medieval Tech
Governments: Outside of the Hive Tribal Structures.
First Moon of Garthon III - Restriced Military Zone of the Grey Guard
Gravity: Heavy
Atmosphere: TIV (breathmask mandatory, environ suit suggested)
Type and Climate: Arid Death World. Thick Green Toxic/Lightly Acidic Atmosphere of unkown makeup.
Special Information: Military Training Base of the Grey Guard, Warzone
Inhabitants: Unknown
Second Moon of Garthon III - Baudelaire
Gravity: Standard
Atmosphere: TII (breathmask not required, but breathing difficult)
Type and Climate: Ocean Planet, estimated 80% Water.
Special Information: The Grand Clerical Library
Nobility: Orthodoxy, Ecclesia Scriptores
Population: estimated 20 to 50 Million
Average Tech-Level: Artifact Technology
6 more unknown objects
M-Class Red Giant
6 unkown objects
Braxis -Quarantined Zone by Imperial Decree
Gravity: Light (apparently gravity has risen in the last 100 years by 0.5g)
Atmosphere: None changed to TI due to terraforming
Type and Climate: Garden World
Special Information: T'eg Gered Remnants, Gered Colony
Nobility: Gered
Population: unknown
Average Tech-Level: unknown
Government: unknown
First Moon of Braxis - not yet explored
Sik'ar
Gravity: Heavy
Atmosphere: TI(earth-like)
Type and Climate: Formerly Dry Cold Planet (Climate Norwegian), now two thirds of planet classified as Arid Death World
Special Information: somewhat warm, nuclear winters, high radioactivity, nuclear wastelands
Nobility: House Cr'tok, House Nova
Population: unknown last estimates at about 100 million
average Tech-Level: Feudal, post-apocalyptic, remnants of archeotech
Government: Central Feudal Governments
1 unknown object
Class-F White Star
3 unknown objects
Mirrodan
Gravity: Normal
Atmosphere: TIIb (breathmask suggested)
Type and Climate: Dry World (20% Water), Mostly Deserts, with Huge Canyons
Special Information: Enormous Canyons allowing inhabitation
Nobility: House Al-Hazar (6 Fiefs)
Population: estimated 800 Million Humans
average Tech-level: Archeotech, early Gunpowder
Government: Central Feudal Governments
Ophelia
Gravity: Normal
Atmosphere: TI
Type and Climate: Earth-Like (Middle-European Climate), Vast Forests
Special Information: Cardinal World
Nobility: Orthodoxy, Ecclesia Sacerdoris
Population: estimated 2 billion
average Tech-Level: Pre-Downfall Eccelsiastical World
Government: Orthodox Theocracy
1 unknown object
Class-G Yellow Star
3 unknown objects
Aerie - Grey Guard Fortress World
Gravity: Heavy
Atmosphere: TIV (gasmask mandatory, environ suit suggested)
Type and Climate: Barren World, Highly Toxic and Slightly Acidic Atmosphere, eternal dusk.
Special Information: The Crow's Aerie (presumed Grey Guard Headquarter)
Nobility: Grey Guard
Population: unknown
Average Tech-Level: Pre Downfall
Dust Cloud
Vengeance
Gravity: Heavy
Atmosphere: TII-B(gasmask required)
Type and Climate: Dry planet(20% Water,80% Land), Barren, wreathed in eternal dusk.
Special Information: Death World, Graveyard World, vast Catacombs
Nobility: House Rastyqua, House Hartwing ( 6 Fiefs)
Population: estimated 30 to 40 million, more than 400 million mutants estimated
average Tech-Level: Feral
Government: Warlords and Clans
Brown Dwarf
2 unknown Objects
Agri-Prime
Gravity: Standard
Atmosphere: TI(earthlike)
Type And climate: Earth-like planet(70% Water,30% Land), Large Agricultural Coverage
Special Information: Xeno-Slaves, Enormous Cave-Systems
Alignment: House Azores (16 Fiefs) , House De Treming (4 Fiefs)
Population: estimated 3 Billion Humans, estimated 6 Billion Xeno-Slaves
average Tech-Level: Industrialized
Government: Commonwealth-Style Monarchy
Class-G Yellow Star
Halo - Current Imperial and Patriarchial Seat
Gravity: Standard
Atmosphere: TI(earthlike)
Type And climate: Earth-Like Climate, Heavily Settled World
Special Information: Imperial Palace, Patriarchial palace,
Alignment: Imperial Seat, Orthodoxy
Population: estimated 10 Billion
average Tech-Level: High-Tech
Government: Theocratic, Imperial
Actions: Recruit 2 units of household troops.
Stefan Hartwing will be sent to House Rastyqua and approach them with an offer of joint operations against warlords and mutants.
While on Halo, Heinrich Hartwing will approach Church authorities to talk about the Emperor's request for funding and assistance in a holy war on Vengeance that is being prepared.
Claim salvage rights over the orbit of Vengeance. determine the investment needed to turn it into an economic operation and possibility of selling salvage leases to independent operators.
@Rindel Terrance Avernus is to be married to Leona Avernus, both characters will stay with their dynasty, the female offspring will join house Avernus, the male offspring house Azores.
House Hartwing humbly requests the privilege of marrying a suitable noblewoman of your blood to our son and heir, Heinrich, who currently has the great task of multiplying the Imperial treasury.
Even though the Patriarchal Palace had been "requisitioned" as the Grey Guard put it, the Patriarch of the Pancreators Church of Light had not abandoned Halo. Instead he had moved to the Palace which in early times had served as the Home for the Patriarchal Wives.
Surrounded by Power-Armored Ecclesia Custodes, Patriarch Jevgeni IV. almost seemed like a joke. A small and frail man, he seemed misplaced among the hulking figures of the Warrior Brothers. Even so he projected an aura of authority a man used to getting what he wanted. Not suprising since, Jevgeni had been but a lay brother of the Ecclesia Exploratoris a hundred years ago. He had been a member of the Second Crusade for Vengeance on that fated day when the might of the church was broken by heathens. Sinc ethose days he had cajoled, murdered, intrigued, pushed, bribed and even seduced his way up through the ranks of the church.
In hindsight the Patriarch was a tragic figure, infused with a singular will from witnessing the power of the church broken, he wanted nothing more than to restore it and when he finally had the power to do so, the Church was at its weakest point yet.
To send a Hartwing to negotiate with the Church was but another insult the Emperor had rained upon the Church in his short time in power. But Jevgeni was nothing if not a patient man...
House Hartwing, in interest of mutual happiness and compatibility between the spouses and the families (as the future wife of Heinrich will be also a future Matriarch of house Hartwing), we were thinking of Seraphina Azores, as a more suitable choice.
House Hartwing, in interest of mutual happiness and compatibility between the spouses and the families (as the future wife of Heinrich will be also a future Matriarch of house Hartwing), we were thinking of Seraphina Azores, as a more suitable choice.
Coric sat back and nursed a drink. His bid for Emperor did not turn out to his liking and now he was left where he started no one in his family was appointed to a position and worse they where passed over for dealing with the church. Now the only thing to do was sit and wait and see what happens.
Xhosa Avernus: Leading the House Fleet to meet with the Gerad Remnant
Aragorn Argonian: Overseeing Counter-Espionage
Terrance Avernus: Wedding Leona Azores
Serah Avernus: Exploration
Piotr, Trent, and Sheridan: At Court
Xhosa Avernus was travelling at the head of the House's fleet to meet with the Gerad, which meant the task of oversight of House Affairs fell to Aragorn; while he was by no means the administrator that Xhosa was, he had a knack for keeping an ear to the ground out, and made certain to keep his nose in EVERYONE's business... particularly anyone unfamiliar to him. Terrance was busy putting his own affairs in order so that he could make time to attend his wedding to the lovely heir of House Azores, which meant that the task of administering Xhosa's holdings in her absence fell upon the capable shoulders of Duchess Ariana Cerise, a trusted (albeit much put-upon) vassal. One of the less-amicable members, Serah, had taken it upon herself to volunteer for an exploratory mission; although the Emperor had declared the Lost Worlds not a priority, the House was ever in search of a planet to call their own: All of their holdings existed in the form of ancient LaGrange Point satellite habitats orbiting mineral rich moons. Though they reaped a fortune in raw materials and manufacturing, the desire for honest dirt to call their own was a drive at the heart of every scion of House Avernus. She had availed herself of a flotilla of Destroyers from the House Fleet, and flung herself headlong into the void, eager to prove herself. Being the first to volunteer was also seen as auspicious, considering Serah's checkered history...
At court, the three remaining members of the House set about the typical pursuits of nobility, better known as gratuitously wasting House resources as frivolously as possible. It was a well-known fact that Sheridan, the black sheep of the family and a deformed drunken dwarf at that, was seeking backers for an optimistic scheme of his, while Trent prowled the ballrooms and gardens in search of company, with Piotr at his back like a shadow. The two weren't friends, per se, but like so many creatures did, they existed in the same biome and fed together: Trent ate his fill, while Piotr picked at the scraps he discarded... While neither particularly cared for the present state of affairs between them, neither did they wish to risk ruining a perfectly functional (albeit inequal) partnership.
Even though the Patriarchal Palace had been "requisitioned" as the Grey Guard put it, the Patriarch of the Pancreators Church of Light had not abandoned Halo. Instead he had moved to the Palace which in early times had served as the Home for the Patriarchal Wives.
Surrounded by Power-Armored Ecclesia Custodes, Patriarch Jevgeni IV. almost seemed like a joke. A small and frail man, he seemed misplaced among the hulking figures of the Warrior Brothers. Even so he projected an aura of authority a man used to getting what he wanted. Not suprising since, Jevgeni had been but a lay brother of the Ecclesia Exploratoris a hundred years ago. He had been a member of the Second Crusade for Vengeance on that fated day when the might of the church was broken by heathens. Sinc ethose days he had cajoled, murdered, intrigued, pushed, bribed and even seduced his way up through the ranks of the church.
In hindsight the Patriarch was a tragic figure, infused with a singular will from witnessing the power of the church broken, he wanted nothing more than to restore it and when he finally had the power to do so, the Church was at its weakest point yet.
To send a Hartwing to negotiate with the Church was but another insult the Emperor had rained upon the Church in his short time in power. But Jevgeni was nothing if not a patient man...
The presence of Hartwing was truly an insult, but at the same time, an opportunity. This would be the moment that would determine the future of the empire.
"Your Holy Excellency, as bid and on behalf of his most illustrious Majesty, Emperor Sigfriend, I bring the call for a new Crusade to be waged on the sacred soil of Vengeance. Both material and military resources are sought after, and this joint operation would see the planet restored to the bosom of Humanity, alongside any relics and sacred items. This task is also an opportunity for penance, sacrifice and reconciliation between house of Hartwing and the most sacred Church."
To: House Azores @Theravis
House Hartwing humbly requests an imperial appointment for generalship, to formalize our leadership of the Imperial crusade on Vengeance, and to enable us recruitment of Imperial Army troops. With that in mind, house Hartwing also requests a tax exemption for the duration of the campaign, with understanding that the taxes that would go to the imperial treasury will be spent on recruiting and sustaining army troops.
Heinrich Hartwing and Seraphina Azores are to be married, with Seraphina joining the household of her husband and children taking on the dynasty of their father, as per most ancient of Terran customs.
[bare success] Jevgeni leaned forward in his Throne, eyes ablaze "So House Hartwing would like their Allies Rastyqua join the path of a Penitent House? You are aware of the Repercussions?"
At the head of the mightiest (and only) privately owned Fleet in the Empire, Xhosa Avernus boldly travelled past the ruined world of Si'kar and into Orbit of Braxis...Truly for a private fleet it was a spectacle: One Inquisitor-Class Battleship, two Cruiser Groups made up mostly of Deacon-Class Cruisers and finally a Flotilla of various Destroyers escorting them. In every other ccontext this would have been a show of strength. Not so with the Gered Remnant. The fleet never even reached Orbit of the world, instead it was torn out of Hyperspace a good way away on a barren moon of the world and came face to face with what the "Remnant" could muster. The Ship if it could even be called that anymore, was a floating monstrosity at least 5 times as long as the Inquisitor-Class, while it was clearly a colonization ship, you have no doubt that it was armed to the teeth.
"IFF-Signal Lock Lady Xhosa, it is the Imperious Abomination, they have locked onto our fleet. Second Signal inbound!"
At this moment Hyperspace opened behind the Avernus fleet and another ship of similiar size than the Imperious emerged. It became quickly clear that Gered Hyperspace travel was far more graceful and efficient than human one, instead of tearing a hole into reality, it seemed like the ship was merely gliding out of non-existence into existence.
"IFF identified, it is another of the Sleeper-Ships, it is the Haven Lost. Pancreator the ship was designated as inactive by the Exploratoris Fleets."
Silence hung over the bridge as the crew watched the massive ships which had hemmed them in.
The eyes of Xhosa Avernus narrowed, and she raised a hand as she spoke. The entire flotilla came to a halt, the ships killing their engines one by one as they hung in the frigid void between worlds. The bridge crew stood ready for action, but not a single shot was fired, nor a single weapon activated.
"Now hear this! All ships of Fleet Avernus, power down our weapons fully and disengage IFF locks: Our mere presence here was likely interpreted as hostile, and I do not wish to provoke them further. If they can tear us out of Hyperspace, then I'm more than willing to bet that they can view our power allocation... let them see that we have come with open hands and hearts. Communications, are we picking up any open frequencies? If so, open a hailing channel... if not, prepare to broadcast on my mark."
The stately Matriarch strode forward to the bridge's baroque command seat, and watched with bated breath... The future of her Dynasty, and herself for that matter, would be decided in the next moments. The air hung thick and tense as she steeled herself for the moment of truth ahead.
