Glorious Aquila
Ok then, here's the omake I mentioned not too long ago.
Planetary Governor Frederick Rotbart was in Hollin to work out the finer details of the expansion of the city into a hive, but at this moment he was occupied with something else entirely. Henry had thought it a good idea to schedule a press conference while Frederick was in the city, and the governor had been spending the last fifteen minutes answering questions about the expansion plans and how he believed it would affect life in Hollin. Fortunately he had the sense to schedule it just outside of the nearby construction zone so that Frederick could get back to work quickly.
"...and as the second hive on Avernus, Hollin can be assured of the importance of its role to safeguarding our people's prosperity. Next question...," Frederick scanned the crowd of reporters for the next person to ask a question, and though he knew he'd regret it he knew he'd regret it more if he skipped over the one that caught his eye. "You there, from Vox News."
"Yes, thank you Governor Rotbart. Bill O'Malley, with Vox News channel 4. There have been concerns regarding your recent plans for ramping up the militia program. The increase from four hours a week of training to thirty-two will result in the people's free time being cut in half. How do you care to justify this decision?"
Bill O'Malley was perhaps his most vocal critic in the media. Frederick honestly didn't care all that much, other than the fact that the man's criticisms did nothing but stir up trouble. Arbitrator Oakheart wanted to have the man shot for his 'insolence', but Frederick knew is was really because she had to have the man assigned a police detail. While his criticisms hadn't sparked off any outright attempts by a mob to lynch him, he'd been critical enough of the absurdly popular governor to have death threats regularly sent his way... a few of which were actually attempted. It was really quite troublesome. Frederick just didn't want to be the type to go that far over a little criticism though, and Inquisitor Klovis-Ultan also advised leaving the man be so as to draw out real dissidents who might latch onto his words and expose themselves.
It was fortunate for the governor that he had trained himself in the art of diplomacy and that he had expected this line of questioning. While he saw the necessity of the increased training time, he did feel sorry for what it would cost his people. "Yes, that is an important matter. Avernus was colonized for the purpose of creating some of the deadliest soldiers in the Imperium. In that respect we have succeeded. Our Imperial Guard regiments are perhaps the finest in the Imperium."
"It is a grand success, Govenor Rotbart. And yet you feel we need to train even harder? That we have not done well enough? Surely that is no longer necessary."
Frederick could only shake his head at that. "It is absolutely necessary, Bill. I feel great pride in the people of Avernus for what we've accomplished, but just because we've had great success already does not mean we cannot have even greater success in the future. The enemies of humanity must be fought, and the forces that we send out into the wider galaxy must be as strong as they can be if we are to ensure humanity has a future. The training the militia will be taking on is the same as the people of Cadia take on, and their people are responsible for keeping the Imperium safe as well. We can do no less. I know that I'm asking the people of Avernus to make great sacrifices in this, but I know in my heart that the Emperor will smile upon us for it."
It was as the exact moment that a large bird landed upon the governor's power armored shoulder. When the governor looked at the creature, he was filled with genuine shock. It just couldn't be. The avian upon his shoulder was unmistakably a two-headed eagle, astonishing in its beauty. It's feathers were almost golden in color. In one of its mouths was one of the less dangerous local snakes, which is promptly started snacking on. It then spread its wings and its other head let out a screech as its feathers started letting off a golden light like the sun. He felt a mild reaction from the black crystal jewelry indicating that a psychic effect was in play, but it wasn't very strong and didn't feel outright hostile.
Frederick turned his attention back to the reporters, who had fallen to their knees. He did note with some small satisfaction that his bodyguards had maintained enough composure to not do the same, though awe was apparent in their eyes. Bill O'Malley for his part had prostrated himself before the governor, his head bowed to the ground.
"I'm... I'm sorry my lord! I'm sorry I ever doubted you! Truly you are blessed by the God Emperor himself, and your plans for us are his will! I will happily train!"
Frederick, for his part, was just glad that everyone was so caught up in the spectacle that nobody noticed the eagle had shat on his shoulder-plate.
---
The bird had not flown away in the end, as many would expect. It had stuck with the governor, and he'd ended up taking it in for examination. Magos Biologis Saren had reported to him that the double-headed eagle species was now classified as "Glory Aquilas". Up until now his Genetors had only unconfirmed sightings of the species, mostly in the region of Lindon but also a few in Dis and the Everglades. The species primary hunting method as well as defense mechanism was a psychic aura that put those affected into a state of stupefied awe. Though not as strong an aura as that of a Helljackal, it was still effective, especially on weaker minds... which explained why O'Malley was so strongly affected.
Frederick for his part was tempted to release the bird, now confirmed to be female, back into the wild. However, Inquisitor Klovis-Ultan would have none of it. He had been so insistent that the governor keep the bird he had all but threatened to pull out his Inquisitorial Rosette and order him to do so, believing that it was perhaps the greatest tool for both diplomacy and propaganda that he'd ever set eyes upon. And so, with some reluctance, the governor now kept a pet Glory Aquila. He named her left head Gloria, and the right head Alicia.
(Our pet needs a name. I figure we can vote on this until durin gives us the next update, whether he canonizes this or not - I'll edit in the chosen name later)
[] Gloria
[] Alicia
[] Write-in
Glorious Aquila
Planetary Governor Frederick Rotbart was in Hollin to work out the finer details of the expansion of the city into a hive, but at this moment he was occupied with something else entirely. Henry had thought it a good idea to schedule a press conference while Frederick was in the city, and the governor had been spending the last fifteen minutes answering questions about the expansion plans and how he believed it would affect life in Hollin. Fortunately he had the sense to schedule it just outside of the nearby construction zone so that Frederick could get back to work quickly.
"...and as the second hive on Avernus, Hollin can be assured of the importance of its role to safeguarding our people's prosperity. Next question...," Frederick scanned the crowd of reporters for the next person to ask a question, and though he knew he'd regret it he knew he'd regret it more if he skipped over the one that caught his eye. "You there, from Vox News."
"Yes, thank you Governor Rotbart. Bill O'Malley, with Vox News channel 4. There have been concerns regarding your recent plans for ramping up the militia program. The increase from four hours a week of training to thirty-two will result in the people's free time being cut in half. How do you care to justify this decision?"
Bill O'Malley was perhaps his most vocal critic in the media. Frederick honestly didn't care all that much, other than the fact that the man's criticisms did nothing but stir up trouble. Arbitrator Oakheart wanted to have the man shot for his 'insolence', but Frederick knew is was really because she had to have the man assigned a police detail. While his criticisms hadn't sparked off any outright attempts by a mob to lynch him, he'd been critical enough of the absurdly popular governor to have death threats regularly sent his way... a few of which were actually attempted. It was really quite troublesome. Frederick just didn't want to be the type to go that far over a little criticism though, and Inquisitor Klovis-Ultan also advised leaving the man be so as to draw out real dissidents who might latch onto his words and expose themselves.
It was fortunate for the governor that he had trained himself in the art of diplomacy and that he had expected this line of questioning. While he saw the necessity of the increased training time, he did feel sorry for what it would cost his people. "Yes, that is an important matter. Avernus was colonized for the purpose of creating some of the deadliest soldiers in the Imperium. In that respect we have succeeded. Our Imperial Guard regiments are perhaps the finest in the Imperium."
"It is a grand success, Govenor Rotbart. And yet you feel we need to train even harder? That we have not done well enough? Surely that is no longer necessary."
Frederick could only shake his head at that. "It is absolutely necessary, Bill. I feel great pride in the people of Avernus for what we've accomplished, but just because we've had great success already does not mean we cannot have even greater success in the future. The enemies of humanity must be fought, and the forces that we send out into the wider galaxy must be as strong as they can be if we are to ensure humanity has a future. The training the militia will be taking on is the same as the people of Cadia take on, and their people are responsible for keeping the Imperium safe as well. We can do no less. I know that I'm asking the people of Avernus to make great sacrifices in this, but I know in my heart that the Emperor will smile upon us for it."
It was as the exact moment that a large bird landed upon the governor's power armored shoulder. When the governor looked at the creature, he was filled with genuine shock. It just couldn't be. The avian upon his shoulder was unmistakably a two-headed eagle, astonishing in its beauty. It's feathers were almost golden in color. In one of its mouths was one of the less dangerous local snakes, which is promptly started snacking on. It then spread its wings and its other head let out a screech as its feathers started letting off a golden light like the sun. He felt a mild reaction from the black crystal jewelry indicating that a psychic effect was in play, but it wasn't very strong and didn't feel outright hostile.
Frederick turned his attention back to the reporters, who had fallen to their knees. He did note with some small satisfaction that his bodyguards had maintained enough composure to not do the same, though awe was apparent in their eyes. Bill O'Malley for his part had prostrated himself before the governor, his head bowed to the ground.
"I'm... I'm sorry my lord! I'm sorry I ever doubted you! Truly you are blessed by the God Emperor himself, and your plans for us are his will! I will happily train!"
Frederick, for his part, was just glad that everyone was so caught up in the spectacle that nobody noticed the eagle had shat on his shoulder-plate.
---
The bird had not flown away in the end, as many would expect. It had stuck with the governor, and he'd ended up taking it in for examination. Magos Biologis Saren had reported to him that the double-headed eagle species was now classified as "Glory Aquilas". Up until now his Genetors had only unconfirmed sightings of the species, mostly in the region of Lindon but also a few in Dis and the Everglades. The species primary hunting method as well as defense mechanism was a psychic aura that put those affected into a state of stupefied awe. Though not as strong an aura as that of a Helljackal, it was still effective, especially on weaker minds... which explained why O'Malley was so strongly affected.
Frederick for his part was tempted to release the bird, now confirmed to be female, back into the wild. However, Inquisitor Klovis-Ultan would have none of it. He had been so insistent that the governor keep the bird he had all but threatened to pull out his Inquisitorial Rosette and order him to do so, believing that it was perhaps the greatest tool for both diplomacy and propaganda that he'd ever set eyes upon. And so, with some reluctance, the governor now kept a pet Glory Aquila. He named her left head Gloria, and the right head Alicia.
[] Gloria
[] Alicia
[] Write-in
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