Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader, Tales of the La Rosenlin Dynasty.

[Romanceblitz]

Chapter Zero: The Setting and Intro.

In the grim darkness of the 41st Millennia, there is only war. The Great Rift has rendered the Imperium of Man's territory asunder, almost completely divided in half by unrelenting Warp Storms, and yet hope is not lost, for in this era designated as the Indomitus Era, the son of the Emperor himself, Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines, now walks amongst the living once again. Now instilled as the Lord Regent of the Imperium, the Primarch has gathered numerous houses of the Rogue Traders to Macragge, within the realm of Ultramar, and has tasked them with the exploration, and if possible, the colonization of undiscovered stars and worlds of the Eastern Fringes.

It was once said that the void was impossible for the human mind to comprehend completely, the reasons for this was because of the sheer vastness of the universe, and the fickleness of the warp, but yet the scion of the Rogue Trader house of Rosenlin, Seline La Rosenlin begged to differ. While she agrees as a whole it is impossible, if one simplifies it, then it suddenly becomes quite easy to understand, it is vast, and thus needs to be explored, explore it, and riches and renown await you, and if someone or something tries to prevent you from doing so, then let your wrath purge them from the galaxy.

 

[Romanceblitz]

Chapter One: First Encounters.

'The Reclaimator', the Dauntless Class Light Cruiser, and the flagship of the House of Rosenlin proceeds through the Immaterium with all haste, for haste was essential. House Rosenlin were not the only ones exploring the Eastern Fringes, and with each moment that passes, is the chance that more unclaimed territory is claimed by competing Rogue Trader houses. The Reclaimator is a fast vessel, and as such, those worries were beyond Seline, who has taken to her chambers to rest, for when journeying into the unknown, rest can be a far more luxurious item then even the grandest of liquor and spirits.

"My Lady Seline" a voice from the vox emanates "We are nearing the end of our warp travel, Ship Mistress Fanella requests your presence on the bridge."
Seline opens her eyes and reaches out towards the ceiling before letting out a disgruntle sigh and activates her vox.
"Understood, inform Fanella I will be there soon, contact my retainers, tell them to come to the bridge as well." replied Seline.
"By your will My Lady" and with a wave of feedback noise, the vox goes silent.
Seline pulls the blanket aside and gets out of her bed, and after a few stretches, turns to the north side of her spacious room and activates a cogitator.

"Arming Servitors, in the name of the house of La Rosenlin, arm me." Spoken in a rather demanding voice as she proceeds to the arming cage, the gargle noises of compliance and the activation of motors can be heard.
The arming servitors begin to gather her Artificer Armour and assembling it, clad in the colours of purple and blue, the colours of House Rosenlin, is one of the artefacts passed down to the current successor of the house. Besides the immense protect the armour offers, it also allows its user to exert greater strength and wield weapons that might be too unwieldy for normal humans. In it's left gauntlet, incorporated a bolter, while the right gauntlet, incorporated a grapnel. Once the servitors were done with the armour, another came bearing her weapons, an inferno pistol, an assortment of grenades, and lastly her power spear, its length equal to hers. Once she had her weapons, she exited her room, and proceeded towards the bridge.

On the bridge, Seline's retinue had assembled, and all on the bridge saluted her, or performed other gestures of respect, though two recoiled ever so slightly at her presence. One such person was Athena, who was adorned in the garb of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica, her armour mostly concealed underneath, eyes that were the deepest black, yet contained a purple hue on the edge, a trait unique to the now fallen world of Cadia. The other was a tall, slender figure wearing ornate black robes with countless runes etched into its design, Nahae was an oddity to be seen, for dealing in or with xenos is generally an act of heresy, however, one of the powers and influence that a Rogue Trader house can employ allows exception to such rules within reason. Seline saw the value in her accompany, it was widely known to her that the Aeldari were peerless in ancient arts of divination, and would be foolhardy to turn away such a resource because of basic xenophobic thoughts.

Besides them, another figure stood, clad in robes of maroon and gold colours, yet the trimmings of blue and purple colours of House Rosenlin, her forehead covered with ornate jewellery was Gwenni Heimvan, the Reclaimator's Navigator. To Seline's left stood three more of her retinue, two males in rather heavy protective combat armour, while the other choose a lighter, flexible armour, more befitting of her sniper rifle on her back, Gregor, Seth and Helael stood unflinching. Behind her, stood three more individuals, one was an older gentleman, dressed in nice, formal attire, two exquisite pistols, Arkhan, Seline's most reliable advisor and Seneschal, a man who Seline could confine in and in a way, considers to be a second father. The other clad in the robes of the Adeptus Mechanicus, bearing the sigils of Mars, stood Dagadar, his mechadenrites protruding out of him. Besides Arkhan, the last of the three laided against the ship's wall, wearing a void suit, one designed for a pilot, Seline's Flight Master, Corvin, a void and aerial pilot of excellent skill.

"We have all assembled as per your request My Lady" The last of her trusted retinue speaks out from her command throne, the Ship Mistress herself, Fanella Trantol. "We are scheduled to drop back into real space in five minutes."
Seline nodded, "This journey all things considered has been extremely smooth, your efforts should be praised, Fanella, as well as yours Gwenni and Nehae, it has been a while since I have been able to get such comfortable rest".
Gwenni bows, and Nehae nods her head respectfully before speaking. "The veil behaves for now, but its respite is but fleeting, I doubt this calm will last for much longer."
Seline's eyes narrow for a moment before letting out a sigh "Suppose not, have you gotten use to the ship Nehae, is there anything you require?" she responds, attempting to undo the stiffness of Nehae's personality.
"No Lady Rosenlin, all is as it needs to be, as per the agreement." replied Nehae, same as always.

The Reclaimator broke into real space, the ships shutters retracted to allow the void of the space to be seen from the viewing ports of the ship. "Give me a full augur sweep of the area." Ship Mistress Fanella commanded.
"Yes Ship Mistress" replied the Master Augurum, working diligently at his station. After moments of silence he spoke.
"Ship Mistress, we have detected a moving object that seems to be near an enormous object, initial scans leads me to believe it to be a Space Hulk."
Fanella eyes widen, "A Space Hulk you claim? What of the moving object? Focus on identifying it and be fast about it!" Shouted Fanella.
The Master Augurum continued to work, "Readings indicate a vessel of Imperial make, Frigate Class Falchion make, but.. There is something odd about it, other aspects do not align with the Falchion specifications, I am working on bringing up a visual of the vessel". Eventually through the toils of the Master Augurum, an image of the vessel was brought up for all to see, Dagadar squeezed his Power Axe, clearly angered at the site on the ship. "Such Blasphemy to the Omnissiah." He blurted out.
"Greenskins..." Spoke Arkhan.
"So it would seem." Replied Seline "They have seem to have looted that Imperial Frigate and ram-shackled all that junk to it."
"As is their way, My Lady, the Orks are always looting our things when they can."
"Your orders Lady Seline?" Fanella spoke up. "Should we just blast it to oblivion?" As she turns to face Seline, a sly grin clearly visible upon her face.
"You must truly be bored Fanella for you to jest such a thing." Seline retorted, sporting a grin of her own.
"You know as well as I do My Lady that there is little I get to do when up against a single opponent." Fanella replied.
"You could still fire upon it while we are inside you know if you are that bored." Spoke Seline, still grinning. Fanella's expression changed to a look of seriousness, "And who is the one joking now My Lady?" clearly not amused that her leader would suggest such a thing, in jest or in seriousness.
"All right, all right Fanella I apologize, I go to far, don't give me such a look, you will look like Arkhan in no time if you do." Arkhan's eyes roll backwards as Seline's comment. "Let us be about it, contact the Void Breakers, tell them to assemble to the Teleportarium, we will do as we always do, and take back what was once ours."
Fanella nods "Master Divulgatus, vox Commander Zarrin at once, inform him his unit is to prepare for board the enemy at once."
"By your command Ship Mistress" replied the Master Divulgatus.
"Lady Nehae, will you be joining us?" Seline asked the Aeldari Farseer.
Nehae shook her head, "To accompany you while battling in contained and limited spaces would not be wise, I would simply be a hindrance." bluntly spoken by Nehae, and was received by many displeasing glares of the ships bridge. Seline motioned a hand to the crew and the glares dissipated.
"I understand, may I ask that you remain here and protect the bridge in my absence, in case the worst should happen?"
Nehae nodded "Not that you would allow such an event to occur, but I will heed your request just the same."
"Dagadar, Gregor, Helael, Seth, Arkhan, Corvin, let us go, its time to make our first achievement in the Eastern Fridges!" Said Seline, looking at her capable fighters as she left the bridge.
"For House Rosenlin!" They all replied, saluting and then following suit.

The Teleportarium, Archeotech from the Dark Age of Technology, and perhaps in a way, the most powerful weapon upon the Reclaimator, and it is where the vessel draws it name from. Rather then crack ships through void combat, the Reclaimator excels at cracking opposing ships from within, through the use of well placed strikes on key locations of a ship, one can extinguish the opposing force, while keeping most of the vessel intact, thus yielding the most profit, a House Rosenlin speciality, one passed down and used through out the generations. Upon reaching the chambers, the Void Breakers were all assembled within, elite warriors, decked out equally in wargear befitting their status, carapace armour, modified to incorporate void suits to ensure completely sealed environments, armed with boarding shields, and assortment of weapons, from hellguns, to flamers and even meltaguns. The Commander step forth and saluted the Rogue Trader, he stood out from his troopers, like the Rogue Trader, he too wore a set of human sized power armour, though of a lighter design and far less modified.
"Ma'am, we stand ready, your ship servants have already sent the scan data to us, and I have already assigned my men to their tasks." He gave a slight bow, keeping his power fist over his heart in salute.
"Good." She nodded and wave her hand, a sign to knock of the saluting. "To which objective do you strike Zarrin?"
"The Life Sustainers Ma'am." he responded.
"Very well, we shall lend our support to the strike on the plasma generators, and stop with the formalities already, you make me seem like I am far more ancient then I am." she sighed.
"You know that I can not do that, you are no longer the little rebellious princess I knew, but now stand before as the ruler of House Rosenlin." he replied reluctantly.
"Even if I was to command you too?" She questioned him.
"Even if you did so, for it would set a bad example for my men." He said so unwavering.
Seline's expression sadden, though concealed by her helmet, "Very well then." The ship rattled as fire between void ships was exchanged, she gripped her power spear harder "It begins.."

 

[Romanceblitz]

Chapter Two: Battle in the Void

The Reclaimator exchanged fire between the looted Falchion class, lance fire smashing upon the void shields, before the ship turn to port in order to fire volleys of macro cannon broadsides, eventually the looted vessel's void shields gave out.
"Shields down on enemy vessel, prepare for boarding assault" a vox begun repeating in the Teleportarium.
Seline looked over her forces and raised her power spear up and brought it down with force, the loud noise getting everyone's attention. "We go to battle in the name he who sits upon the Golden Throne on Terra. May his presence protect you, and his gaze watch us claim victory in the name of House La Rosenlin!"
The Void Breakers all saluted in unison, and with a nod to the machine operators, they begun bringing the Teleportarium to life. Once the ancient machine was brought to full power, a flash of white blinding light filled the room, and in that instant, they were all gone.

Aboard the enemy vessel, they materialized in the centre of both the main targets. They surveyed the area and it was clear initially, but a few moments later, two Orks turned a corner, and without any need to say a word, two troopers raised their Hellguns, and squeezed the trigger. Two flashes of powerful red lights streaked down the hallway and hit their marks, right through the brutes head and they crumpled over without so much as a word uttered. Once the coast was clear again, Zarrin and Seline both pulled out a data-slate and confirmed their position and routes. Zarrin motioned for his unit to move out, and Seline did the same, as they made their way through the ship towards the Plasma Generators. There was resistance but nothing they could not handle, the Void Breakers were highly disciplined, skilled, and efficient, every room was checked, and expunged of any Greenskins. This rotated from a volley of red laser fire, to purged with flame and grenade'd with frag grenades, no matter the method used, they all fell before Seline and her Void Breakers. Orks are a boorish race, and are only as strong as the leadership reflected by their Warboss, and it was clearly lacking. Even with the element of surprise on their side, the resistance was lacking, and unorganized.

As they drew closer and closer to the Plasma Batteries was when combat begun to finally begin to become a little challenging. The Boarding shields weathered most of the brunt of the enemy fire, and injuries were starting to be incurred, still the Void Breakers were still martially superior and the enemy was dealt with. As they went to proceed further, a massive Ork busted out of a nearby door and went to attack, Seth levelled his Meltagun, fired and blew off one of it's arms. Arkhan acting in unison, put an inferno pistol round into the other shoulder and rendered it unusable, barely remaining attached to its hulking body, Seline charged forth and put a bolter round into its knee and forced it to kneel before removing it's head from its body with her spear, its body slumping to the ground.

Their destination was in sight, The Void Breakers formed up and held choke points around the area to ensure that no enemies would get by while they got to work. Krak grenades were placed, and preparations for breaching the interior. A chime in Seline's helmet went of, a rune went from red to green, indicating that Zarrin's objective was met and was withdrawing back to the Reclaimator, then a new indicator appeared seeming to countdown in the left side of her helmet. The Teleportarium would require time to recharge before it be able to activated again, and she was being well informed of that time frame. A loud bang echoed through out the hallways as the krak grenades exploded, and they stormed inside, Grots and Mekboyz awaited them. Sea's of promethium fire scorched across the room, roasting many grots as hails of hellguns and bolt rounds lit up the Mekboyz. The Grots who were lucky enough to not get caught in the fire charged at them, but were beaten back by Gregor's power maul, Seline's spear and shield check'd by numerous Void Breakers. Once the room was purged they got to work, many Void Breakers pulled out melta charges, and started to place them in key locations, directed by Dagadar, while he would find moments to chant codes of binary, claiming the ork taint to the machine spirits would be cleansed and purified, and that they would find peace.

Once they were done, Seline gave a nod to one of the Void Breakers, her armour lined with insignia's that denoted her as a high ranking officer in the group, and she proceeded to activate a beacon, and ordered her forces to gather. After a few moments, the timer in Seline's helmet was done, and in a brief moment, were returned back to her ship, where they were greeted by Commander Zarrin and his men. Seline took her helmet off and looked at Zarrin,
"It would seem it is my loss Zarrin, you achieved your objective first."
"Always turning things into a competition Ma'am, that old bad habit of yours is going to get you in trouble one day."
"Mi-lad-y or Lad-y Sel-leene Zarrin, how many times much I express my displeasure of making me sound older then I am?"
"Apologies Ma'am" Commander Zarrin replied unflinchingly, Seline sighed heavily as a vox message begun overhead.
"Multiple detonations detected through out the enemy vessel, confirmed readings of Atmosphere, fire and plasma venting from the ship, no signs of any further acceleration and all enemy armaments have gone silent."
Ship Mistress Fanella started to speak over the vox, "Enemy vessel is downed Milady, we have begun our approach towards the Space Hulk, your orders?"
Seline paused for a moment, her eyes looked over her troops with a quick glance, none dead, but some would require medical treatment. ".... Crack it."
".. Milady?" responded Fanella, in a tone that showed she was a little confused.
"I said crack it" Seline repeated.
"Space Hulks are often houses of valuable resources and tech, if we do that th-" she was cut off.
"I am aware" replied Seline "However it would be to costly to dedicate our resources in dealing with the filth inside of it, and will only hurt our profit in the long term. No we shall stay the course and reserve our resources until we establish a foothold in this area, Crack it and we shall salvage what we can from its remains."
"By your will, Milady." Fanella replied as she cut off the vox and gave the orders to obliterate the Space Hulk via heavy bombardment.

Once the Space Hulk was reduced to rubble the Reclaimator continued on, the enemy vessel, being towed behind them. Deep scans detected a planet that seemed hospitable along with an accompanying small moon nearby. Seline, now in formal attire, along with Arkhan, Athena and Nehae were sitting in a rather luxurious room that acted as Seline's council and office room. The only person in the room not sitting was Elsa, Zarrin's daughter who was in her Void Breakers attire, standing guard inside the room, her helmet maglock'd to her side. They begun scrolling through the data of the planet and moon on the hololithic display.
"It seems the God Emperor shines favouringly upon us Milady, this seems like a perfect place to set up colony and port" Arkhan said with a happy smile.
"I do agree with your advisor, Lady Rosenlin" spoke Nehae, "A Void port in close proximation to a world where food and supplies are abundant is certainly a fortunate thing."
Seline tapped her fingers on the table a little bit as she scrolled further through the data.. "Certainly it makes for a good Agri-world, but we would be hard pressed to build a Void Port or Station unless we discover other resources nearby."
"The Choirs of my brethren remain as silent as the void" Athena chimed in "It is highly likely that we are the first to find such a spot, but perhaps others have found more resourceful locations instead."
"Are you suggesting that we should contact them to see if they would like to join us in making this port Athena?" replied Seline.
she nodded "Yes, in return for resources to aid its construction, we offer concessions and a place to for them to trade, would be mutually beneficial."
Seline leaned back hard into her chair contemplating Athena's words.
"Her idea has merit, and it will take time to settle the colonists into the planet below and ensure its protect while they set up everything" Arkhan stated, his fingers interlocked, supporting his head.
"Athena" Seline said looking up at her ceiling still laid backed into her chair "Broadcast a message to other Trader Houses, inform them that House La Rosenlin seeks a meeting in a joint venture to establish a Void port, one that will act as a life line to the realms of Ultramar."
Athena nodded and then got up to leave the room, Elsa opening the door for her as she left. Seline, Nehae and Arkhan continued to work out the details for the world below, Seline sighed a little in the inside, for she knew that she would have to do something she always hated at times like these, and it something that could never be avoided. Seline had to decide what the name of the Planet and Port would be....

 

[Rabid Squid]

Cool story! I like how its going so far!

 

[Romanceblitz]

Thank you ^_^

 

[Romanceblitz]

Chapter Three: Banquet of Rogues

Weeks have past since the astropathic message was broadcast across the sectors, and a few of the Rogue Trader houses agreed to meet, while waiting, Seline saw to managing her new sector, now designated as the Asterga Sector. Progress was going well on Arkecol X, the system's Agri-world and the first planet that was discovered, had the full manpower of the cyrofrozen colonists laboured to get infrastructure underway. The colonists were another gift of the Honoured Primarch, though the colonists must of been surprised to be out of cyrofreeze already. The system had two other planets, though their atmospheres were hardly ideal and specialist planning would be require to bring them into optimal production worlds. One would be turned into a Hive world, Asterga Primus, while the other would become a Forge world, though to make this a reality, ships with supplies and manpower would have to come from other territory of the Rosenlin Dynasty, as well as the Mechanicum.

Seline was observing Arkecol X from an observation gallery aboard the Reclaimator, the planet looked like a beautiful jewel from afar, she knew that worlds like this were certainly far and few between. If practical planning didn't demand its resources be used to supply stable food resources, it could of been a Pleasure/Garden world, perhaps in the future it could be. Seline pulled out a small locket and opened it up to look at the image inside, then the ship's warning alarms blared into action.
"Warp signatures detected, multiple vessles breaching into real space, all hands to stations, repeat, warp signatures detected!"
Seline put her locket away and tapped her microbead. "Fanella, report."
"Three vessels of imperial design just broke into real space, the lead vessel has just been identfied as the 'Spectre of Curwern.'
"Reduce the alert to yellow, it seems our guests are starting to arrive" replied Seline "I'll let you handle the formalities."
"By your will Milady" Fanella responded and closed the communication line.
Seline drew in a long breathe and let it out slowly, it begins...

The Reclaimator received a request for a hail from the lead vessel, the Endeavour-Class Light Cruiser, the Spectre of Curwern, Fanella instructed her Master Divulgatus to bring up the communication line at once.
"I am Ship Mistress Fanella Trantol of the Reclaimator, to whom do I have the honour of addressing?"
The visage of a stout man, sporting a bionic eye appeared in the bridge. "I am Commodore Jethro von Toh, of the Toh Rogue Trader Dynasty. I have come in response to your message."
"On behalf of House Rosenlin, I thank you for making the journey" Fanella gave a respectful nod gesture.
"Where is your leader?" snorted Commodore Jethro.
"She apologies but other duties have her currently occupied, she has instructed me to speak on her behalf. She offers an invitation to board the Reclaimator, as other accommodations are not yet ready in the sector, and requests you bring no more then two retainers with you to the meeting. Lady Seline personally assures that you, your retainers and bodyguards will receive all the hospitality that House Rosenlin can offer, as we await for everyone to arrive."
"Very well, I shall prepare a craft shortly to take me to your ship, Is that the location in question in regards to our meeting?" Commodore Jethro gesturing to a holo-lith.
"It is Lord Commodore" replied Fanella.
"I see, that will be all." Commodore Jethro motioned for his crew to end the communication.

The Spectre of Curwern came to a stop, its escorts the Spear of Night, a Falcion-Class Frigate and the Proxima Mortis, a Viper-Class Scout vessel taking positions besides it. One hour later, Commodore Jethro was aboard an Arvus Lighter heading towards the Reclaimator.
By the end of the day, the alarm sounded twice more, each one announcing the arrival of another Rogue Trader house. The second to arrive was Tabitha un Zabic, aboard her Lathe-Class Monitor Cruiser, the Sternwrath and a Claymore-Class Corvette that was acting as an escort, the Ardent Lament. The last to arrive the head of the Lesteran Dynasty, Kadepo der Lesteran, one who could trace their dynasty back as far as the Rosenlin family, and their flagship showed this very adequately. The Hurricane of Dawn, a Dictator-Class Cruiser, was by far the largest vessel in attendance. One by one they would land in the Reclaimator and be met by Arkhan, who would lead each of the Rogue Traders and their retinues into a private room, furnished in a manner of a very classy bar and lounge. Once House Lesteran's party were given sufficient time to rest, they were all brought into Seline's office room to begin business talks.

Each Rogue Trader was sat down, their two aides each standing besides then only a few steps away, Commodore Jethro was indeed a stout man, his dress was right out of what you'd expect of a grizzled Imperial officer. In terms of Dynasties, his was by far the youngest of any here present, for his warrant of trade was given directly to him. A practice all too common in the last few centuries for other Imperial officers to get rid of thorns in their sides. His unaugmented eye gives too much of his origin away, purple eyes, one born of Cadia, a now lost word of the Imperium, an irony perhaps, that he was saved by his warrant of trade, and that the ones who made it so died in his stead due to greed or jealousy. Kadepo on the other hand was a complete opposite, a tall, slander man with many intrinsic tattoo's and marking, with hair straight out of the cesspool of ganger's, and yet there was an air of eloquence surrounding him, the spectrum of your run of the mill scoundrel type mixed thoroughly with the more diplomatic type. Tabitha was also unique in her own ways, while similar to Jethro in regards to the age of their warrant of trade, Tabitha had signs all too familiar to Seline. She could see the signs of one who deployed the use of power armour, and quite a lot in their years, and she was no spring chicken either, easily forty or more years my senior. Atop her lap laid a feline creature, a light ginger in colour and not yet fully grown, a 'Gyrinx' Seline thought and Tabitha spoke.

"To have us sit and wait, while all the while your master has still yet show themselves is getting beyond rude and discourteous" she snapped. Seline's eyebrow perked a little, and even the Scion of Lesteran looked a little puzzled, but before Arkhan and Fanella, who were there as her aides could say anything, Seline chimed in a slightly louder but calm voice.
"My apologies Lady Tabitha, perhaps you had not been informed that some time ago, that the mantle of leadership of my Dynasty was passed to me."
Tabitha's head turned towards her, slightly puzzled but did well to hide it, but Seline understood her background clearly now, probably a former Inquisitor now Rogue Trader, and a psyker at that. Tabitha coughed and cleared her throat.
"My condolences, I was not aware that he had passed" she meekly spoke as Jethro lit up a cigar and let out a huge puff smoke.
"Can we just get down to brass tacks already, some of us have made a large detour to be here."
"Yes of course Commodore" Seline begun using the hololithe to show the data of Arkecol X's Moon and the entire sector. "As my message that was relayed said, we have found a particular spot that is idle to raise up a Void port, however between securing the sector and tending to the development of the planets, I lack the ability to divert essential resources to the project. Thus I seek collaboration in this venture, if you are interested, I will go into further details of my proposal."
Kadepo was the first to speak up, "It is unorthodox for so many of us to work together in such a fashion, I presume you have reasons other then material aid?"
Seline nodded. "Yes, all present here is well aware that the Honoured Primarch and the Imperial Regent was the driving force behind our presence in the Eastern Fringes. The building of this Void port would act as a route to Greater Ultramar and the Imperium as a whole. Many of us have holdings far from the Eastern Fringes and establishing a secure route to them would benefit us all in the end."

The Rogue Traders went silent for a moment, considering what was said, Jehtro was the one who broke the silence.
"You would of made a fine officer little lady, your logic is sound and full proof, so tell me more of this plan of yours."
Seline was a little surprised, at both being called a 'little lady' by a Rogue Trader whose dynasty was but a speck of dust on a desert compared to the history of Rosenlin Dynasty, but more so surprised in the change of his demeanour.
"In acknowledge of contributing resources and labour to build the Void port, I will give considerable concessions, equitable to the contribution of each individual with regards to the resources of my system. This includes but is not limited to Food, Exotic Materials, Items produced by the Forge World that is to be developed on Asterga Secondus, and anything else that is later discovered and extracted by my sector. These concessions will last at their current rates until such a time that the concessions have equalled the value of each houses contribution, at which time the concessions will revert to a fixed concession rate of ten percent. Furthermore a section of the Void port will be dedicated to each Rogue Trader of equal size, to do with what they please. Lastly, all participating Houses will agree not to interfere with each other's businesses so long as their presence is upon the Void Port." Seline brought up a list of everything that had been scanned and investigated by her ship.

The room went quiet again, aides were consulting with their Rogue Traders in hush whispers, eventually Tabitha un Zabic spoke. "Those are some sizeable concessions indeed." petting her pet "The Imperial Regent will eventually send his 'Angels' to check up on us, to ensure we are complying with our warrants of trade. While discovery of any new space is welcomed, we all know that worlds suitable for colonization, whether it was settling them or via the weight of the Imperium's fury is what he seeks. Sooner or later we will find these worlds, and eventually run out the resource needed to do so, that being people. This route will allow us to secure more citizens from Ultramar, as such I shall agree to your request."
Kadepo der Lesteran spoke next. "It's hard to argue when this would make my further ventures of so much easier, very well, we shall also participate" he shifted his posture to a more relax manner.
Seline drew her attention to Commodore Jethro von Toh, he let out puff of smoke and gave a silent nod of agreement.
"Very well" Seline said. "With the God Emperor as our witness, the agreement is reached. In honour of its formation, I shall formally name the Void port, 'Fort Condord'. I welcome you all to celebrate this occasion, though I will understand if you wish to return right away to attend to other manners."
Kadepo and Tabitha politely decline the offer, deciding to depart to continue their voyages, leaving a small group to act as representatives. Commodore Jethro however accepted Seline's offer, and requested a personal meeting with the scion of House Rosenlin....

 

[Romanceblitz]

Chapter Four: A Rogue Trader's Resolve

More time had passed since the gathering of Rogue Traders, the Reclaimator had left the Asterga Sector towards more unexplored space. Seline sat in her quarters, nursing a lavish drink in silent contemplation about the previous gathering following the meeting about Fort Concord. As she slowly consumed her drink, she would glance at her locket constantly, thinking back and beginning to ponder... 'Just how long can resolve alone take someone?'

Aboard the Reclaimator, Seline and Commodore Jethro sat at the bar of the high class recreation room, with drinks in hand, soft yet pleasant music playing in the background.
"The holdings of your Dynasty are located close to that gaping hell wound we call the Great Rift, are they not?" spoke Jethro, as he gulped his entire drink in one go, before refilling it with another.
"They are" Seline replied, choosing to savour her drink slowly instead.
"How do they fare?" asked Jethro, as he search around his person looking for another cigar.
"They endure, by the grace of the Emperor's Angels, and the Imperial Navy, for which we are grateful as shown by the increase of the tithes we give." Seline had some more of her drink and continued, "Why do you inquire so, Commodore?"
Having finally found what he was looking for, he lit it right away and took a puff, before relaxing in on the counter. "I ask because of the request I wish to ask, I would... like you to keep me personally informed should you have any encounters with the Arch Traitors, no matter how small or trivial they might be."
Seline raised an eyebrow then let a little sigh. "Commodore.. Lord Jethro, the stories of Cadia have reached far and wide, to the furthest reaches of the Imperium. They all fought with honour, even as their planet crumbled around them, not relenting and taking all the Arch Traitors they could with them. I can sympathize with you and understand wanting to personally take vengeance upon them, but you need not go out of your way to chase them down, for the Emperor's holy wrath will strike them all down eventually. Though we are rivals and I have no place to tell you want to do, to chase whispers of their presence is neither a useful way to spend your time, nor spend your resources that are better spent accomplishing our reasons for being in the Eastern Fringes in the first place."
Commodore Jethro slammed his clenched fist onto the bar. "I know that, yet me and my crew can not and will not stop doing so, I thought perhaps you of all people would understand."
Finishing his drink, he turned around and got up walking to leave. Seline sat in silence for a moment before speaking once more.
"Commodore, I will let you know should we encounter them, but please promise me you won't do something stupid when the time comes."
Commodore Jethro stopped and let out a small grunt before letting out another puff of his cigar, followed by a little chuckle. "An old gentlemen like me couldn't make such a promise that I know I couldn't keep, especially to a little lady of all people."
Without turning around he waved goodbye, a clear devilish grin on his face as he walked out of sight with his hands behind his back, a habit from his officer days. Seline finished her drink and let out a long drawn sigh and looked up to the ceiling in thought, 'while one still draws breathe, Cadia stands...'

The Reclaimator continued it's pace through the void, getting restless, Seline went to the regimental quarters on the ship. The crew saluted her as she made her way to the Void Breaker's quarters and entered the training area. In the training area, she saw Commander Zarrin putting his men through drills, he turned to Seline and gave her a respectful salute.
"Ma'am, to what do we owe your gracious presence to our arena?"
"I figured I would come to get some exercise, my body is beginning to feel really bent out of shape with how rough the voyage is being." Seline begun to stretch and crack her neck slightly, clearly looking to spar.
"Elsa!" Zarrin yelled out, "Gear up, you have a challenger! My quarters are at your disposal Ma'am." He gestured down the hallway. Seline nodded and got into suitable sparring attire. Once she was finished, she met Elsa in the fighting ring, a painted circle clearly marked out in high visibility colours. Seline's choice of weapon was a staff, as tall as her, while Elsa opted for a large glove and a sword. These were all training weapons, though blunted, they all incorporated shock devices into them, which would stun you and cause pain.
"Don't go easy on me Elsa" Seline said with a smirk on her face as she took a readied pose.
"Since when have we ever gone 'easy' on one another?" Elsa retorted as she brought her sword up and saluted Seline.
The match begun in earnest, Seline rushed forward, thrusting and swinging her weapon in quick succession, every strike was turned aside as Elsa blocked them with her sword. Once the last strike was parried, Elsa struck with her glove, but Seline leaped backwards to evade the blow. Using the full reach of her weapon, Seline performed a sweeping strike, but was blocked by the glove and followed up by a lunge of Elsa's sword, but again was turned aside, this time by the end of her staff. Blows went back and forth between the two, each one slowly reminding Seline of earlier days, the pair used to train a lot together back then. Back then, despite their statuses, they were always close friends, and at some points, were the sisters that they each never had. They would always spar under the supervision of Zarrin and Seline's Father, her thoughts drifted for a moment, and by the time her focus was restored it was too late. Elsa's glove found purchase on her face, and Seline crumbled to the ground. The room went as silent as the void.

As Seline was slowly coming to, she saw younger versions of Zarrin, Elsa and her father, eventually she shook of the blurry vision and sat up looking at the now very real Zarrin and Elsa.
"Lady Seline, are you okay!?" cried Elsa, a look of panic on her face.
"Yeah.. Maybe I shouldn't of jested about you going easy on me..." replied Seline, rubbing her forehead.
Zarrin looked at her with concern, a hand stretched out. "What happened princess, this is unlike you.."
Seline hesitated for a moment, "Just this bumpy voyage, guess it kept me up more then I thought.." Seline took the hand and got up, then proceeded to dust herself off.
"Perhaps I should try to get more rest instead of exercise, sorry for the trouble, I am fine, really."
Seline returned to her quarters shortly after and rested for a while. Eventually the doors to her quarters opened unannounced, but Seline didn't move an inch and simply spoke.
"Arkhan, you know its rude to enter someone's quarters unannounced right?"
Arkhan stood there, silent but with a concerned look on his face.
"Zarrin told you what happened huh?" Seline continued on.
"He did" Arkhan replied stoically.
"Then you should know that I am fine Arkhan, just tired, this journey is nothing like our initial departure, far too bumpy." Seline added.
"You could never pull the wool over my eyes, before and now Milady." Arkhan glance was drawn to her locket and turned around to exit the room. "As your old mentor, I will part some advice with you. 'It does not do well to dwell on the past, for doing so leaves you blind to the here and now.' You should heed these words Milady."
Arkhan left the room to go back to his duties on the ship, leaving Seline to contemplate his words with care. 'Easier said then done Arkhan,' Seline thought...