Cycle 31.1
[X] Plan Cruiser Crash
(Construct Chain (Fleet Port- Prydwen Serol): 37 +17 (Kat) +7 (Wealth) = 61)
Progress: 2/6. In Progress.
Kat winced at the bawdy laughter and shyly scooted away from the source. The assorted engineers and architects didn't noticed and just chased down more drinks offered by the locals, freely enjoying the more relaxed and casual tropical setting. Perhaps it was a bit premature to already be partying so freely when only the foundations of the future facility had just been laid down, but it appeared that for the residents of this city, any good work was worth splurging on.
Even if it wasn't completed yet.
The Hyacinth Prism looked over them all, a mix of emotions swirling within. The more dominant of them now was resignation, the realization that nobody could work forever without a little rest and recovery. Given the non-stop projects she had been putting her teams through, including other Prisms, perhaps it was time for a more sedate pace for a bit.
Still, she felt the undercurrent of anger simmering beneath and sighed. Kat knew that the moment she stepped back into a workshop with the others to continue, she probably was going to drive them to redouble their efforts, to 'work as hard as they played.' A reasonable bargain, she supposed, only justified further by the fact that House Iris badly needed these facilities soon with the upcoming conflict. All their sweat here would contribute to a safer atmosphere in which they could party freely without worry one day, if everybody did their part.
There was a flicker of color on the cheap bar television and Kat's eyes flicked up to watch. She blinked in recognition of a familiar figure standing on a podium, delivering a speech before a crowd. However, it wasn't the one she was expecting- was the Solar Queen preoccupied with something? It wasn't unlike her to turn an opportunity to speak to her people, surely.
Or maybe Dorothea was just a warm-up act. Yes, that surely had to be it.
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(Commission Ship (Corona-class): 27 +14 (Dorothea) +7 (Wealth) = 48)
Progress: 2/6. In Progress.
(Commission Ship (Corona-class): 52 +14 (Violet) +7 (Wealth) = 73)
Progress: 4/6. In Progress.
You listened to Dorothea's speech with one ear, mentally groaning at every implied mention that you would be coming out soon to speak too. If you had it your way, you would like nothing more than to slum around in a cheap beach bar somewhere in Kingsdream, a casual poor tourist for all concerned instead of the people's monarch. Hm, actually, that sounded a bit too suspicious- the average visitor to the system capital wanted nothing more than to hit the beaches. Ack, but the sun on your skin-!
You furiously shook your head to rid yourself of such thoughts and instead focused on what had led to you subtly requesting Dorothea to have a chat with the media first. There was some vain hope that they'd be sated by whatever platitudes and scraps the Lycoris Knight tossed out to them about Coral Queen, the first cruiser of your people in this universe, but it seemed like she had completely misunderstood the task. Now she was giddily digging a hole for you to figure out how to avoid falling into, every single word and declaration from the devout retainer heralding the glory of your coming.
Ugh, that was a headache for later. The more important headache now were these data packages you had finally received and decoded to inform you of a great many interesting acts. To be specific, it was that which wandering Brilliance Knights had undertaken across the territories of House Orochi and their vassals. As predicted and weaved, there was much discontent and chaos following the Great House's withdrawal from supporting House Kelon, leading to a crisis of faith and trust that led to more than a few more incidents that very well could have gotten worst had wandering Brilliance Knights not been there to step in.
Through the disorder and trial, they were now forged and tested in ways beyond what their training could ever provide. Some had even risen up and above, making names for themselves that drew the eyes of interested parties. Perhaps companies would offer them lofty positions in private organizations, or maybe they'd continue wandering the galaxy in search of more wrongs to right. But each and every one of these heroes would never dare deny the call of their home should you ask and tempt them with the offer of direct service to House Iris.
You unfortunately couldn't make offers to all of them though, only one for the moment to maintain a cover of unknowing. If they got together, perhaps they'd realize it was a bit too coincidental that all of them had been nearby on suggestion of mysterious messages. Or maybe they'd all become a bit too much like a certain Lycoris Knights currently hyping up your arrival. While blind zealots were a helpful tool for a webmaster like you, there was a time and place for pawns who didn't let devotion blind their talent.
A brief summary on these candidates helped give you an idea of their personalities, and you read through them closely to determine who could have the honor of becoming your retainer.
[ ] [Candidate] Hifumi, Holly Knight
Upbeat and optimistic, seeing the best in the universe despite whatever they saw and witnessed. That was how Hifumi lived by, a thirst of experiencing novel and new things regardless of their origin or source. However, neither was Hifumi unwilling to fight for the better of others, such as when they helped organize emergency efforts for a natural disaster in the absence of Orochi's support.
Focus: Diplomacy+, Learning+
Focus: Diplomacy+, Learning+
[ ] [Candidate] Agrippina, Lycoris Knight
A serious and focused woman that was described as being cold and unhesitating while in training. It seemed that the trait had stayed with her all throughout her travels, leading to her being a rather unpopular figure in many places where she willingly took the worst jobs none would take. Yet few can begrudge her talents, especially when Agrippina orchestrated the downfall of a mercenary company from Orochi.
Focus: Intrigue++
Focus: Intrigue++
[ ] [Candidate] Kalina, Dandelion Knight
When a vassal of Orochi began to desire independence, Kalina happened to be there and in need of some travel funds. A few months later and Orochi's remaining military forces were forced into surrender when an assault led by Kalina on their ships saw them isolated and trapped on planet. Then she took their ships and sold them to the newly independent planet. Quite the sellsword indeed.
Focus: Martial+, Intrigue+
Focus: Martial+, Intrigue+
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- I figured that it'd be a big bummer if you got to doing up your battlegroup, only for a better character pick to come passing by a turn right after. So have the chance to pick your new retainer from when you sacrificed the opportunity to take advantage of Orochi's chaos.- The options were randomly rolled and wow, looks like Violet's obsession with the shadows is perhaps influencing the individuals she's drawn to recruiting.
14 hour moratorium to hire a new retainer.