You're positive that everything's going to be A-OK!
"While your neverending optimism is refreshing..." Elliot chimed in, bringing up the database and matching it to the shadows you described currently propagating across the system. "This is something of a tall order--we have a vessel bearing startling similarities with the Flayers--if much more talkative, we have a formation that matches the Publicani--except he brought friends this time--and the only records we have of the third vessel are in the appendix sections.
You take a peek as to see what that is. "Repulsive Class?" You wrinkle your nose and conceal your expression behind your fan. "Why would they call it that, it's a pretty design!"
"The fact that virtually every known example of the class is either long ago sunk or mysteriously vanished into the Warp for millennia only to come back infested with daemons?" Elliot mused.
"So, we've got a warship renowned for being the chariot of monsters and reavers--and let's not even forget that the fourth signature is apparently our old friends come back for another go." Layla added. "That sounds lovely! I've been itching for a rematch!"
"There's not going to be a rematch if I can help it" Dana cut that line of thought off at the knee. "Okay, first things first--the big individual ship's burning right towards us. We're going to figure out what they want."
"How, precisely, are we going to do that?" Amelia questioned. "Our communications don't go that far."
You raise your hand. "I can chat with them!" You say. "It's a bit of a stretch further than I normally like going, but it's making a lot of noise and I'm pretty sure I can shout loud enough to get their attention."
"Good to know" Dana nods. "I'll have a talk with the Dragoons then--with any luck, we won't all be hip deep in our own innards by the end of the year."
"I will speak with my people" Niamh butted in before you could all get going. "It would be... Advisable for us to be kept a secret for now."
"Then we've all got our jobs to do." Elliot agreed. "Amelia and Layla will bring our forces up to full alertness, Dana will speak with the Space Marines, and the Maiden will commune with the Repulsive class. Niamh will manage her people and keep us below notice, and I will remain here and keep us all coordinated with one another."
"Sounds wonderful!" You snap your fan closed and switch it with your pipe. "I do adore meeting new people!"
You unmoor yourself from time and shift your gaze to the pinnacle of your reach--the uttermost heights of the World Tree. You point out into the distance with your pipe, assessing the distances involved with the insight only a God can muster, and nod to yourself.
Then you cup your hands to your mouth and lean forward.
"EXCUSE ME!" Your voice booms through the Immaterial, echoing across space, contained only by your best efforts to focus the call. "YOU'RE HERE TO BE FRIENDS THOUGH, RIGHT?"
The call ripples, reaching through time to the moment of their arrival. You feel more than see a vessel freeze in mid hover, as the lens cracks up.
Then a moment later, nebulas and lights grow from the direction of your call--power mustered in response to an offered challenge. Power echoes from the heart of the void, and from the shadows emerges a figure of radiant blue silks, shrouding a form in a mantle of the starry skies. Surrounding the figure was a great halo of machinery, held together by levin arcs of warpfire in a clockwork assembly of infinite complexity.
"So! You stand before the Azure Magus of Thought Unbound!" The figure's voice boomed, androgynous and all powerful. "Fear not! For it is through my grace that the ultimate heights of reality may be reached! I will permit you to subordinate yourself to me, for all forms of knowledge are precious!"
You clap your hands in approval of the show. "Oh goodness! That was well done!" You applaud--something about the Magus stumbles at your response. "I never even considered the halo of light! I'll have to try something like that myself!'
"You, what..." The Magus sputtered, and you stepped up into the void between them. "Here! Let me give it a try!" Your avatar twirls in place, vibrant pink cherry blossoms spilling out from your gown as your hair begins to hover in the empty void. "You speak with the Verdant Maiden of Eternal Life!" You announce the first and foremost of your titles, a halo of yew wood emerging behind you, tangled up gracefully with your sleeves. "Patron God of the People of Equinox, and Protector of Harmonies Untold!"
Your pose lingers for a moment, and the other God slumps in defeat.
"That... That's not even fair!" They sniff. "You're just all fwoof and zoom and you're just making me look bad!"] They curl up into a ball, hugging the front of their knees. "What do I even live for!"
You walk up and pat them on the shoulders. "There there" You reassure them. "It's all okay! We're not in competition after all!" And you could tell that for sure looking this way. None of what they cared about was anything you cared about!" "Besides, I know better than anybody else how hard it is to properly show off!"
The Magus sniffles. "I was stuck in a ball for ages!' Your expression cracks slightly at that. "I didn't even get to rehearse that whole thing!"
"Well, there's no time like the present to get the hang of little things like that!" You clap your hands once, and your pipe swivels into being. You take a puff. "At any rate, I'd welcome you to my realm... But it does seem like you came with far too many other problems at hand. I've a nice place set up in the canopy of the World Tree though where you can come in to dock if everything goes okay!"
The Magus pauses at that. "Are there cookies?" You take a moment to consider the menu... "Yes, there are!"
And just like that, they're back on their feet. "Then what are we waiting for!" Their courage has returned! "The Brilliant Sequence is on the way!"
And with that, they poof out, and you're left staring into the fading spell effects that had preceded them, now dispersing with the power vacant.
Not quite what you had expected from this meeting--but you'll take it!
[Contact made with the Azure Magus--a brief clash of dominance left the Maiden in the superior position. They will accept the invitation to meet at the Canopy.]
With that little problem sorted out, you shift your gaze over to Dana--she had plugged herself back into the World Tree, a lesson carefully learned while she was managing the Festival--and was using it as a great psychic amplifier and antenna to communicate across the void of Space!
You slide in your awareness just in the middle of discussions.
(Yes, I understand that matter) Dana's voice echoed in the mind of Epistolary... Julius if you're not mistaken? (Nonetheless, the system is crawling with newcomers and if you get caught on approach, one of them are likely to take a poke at you, and you're all in no condition to win another fight like that.)
Your Presence looms in behind Dana's--you feel the Librarian on the other end of their Astropathic connection flinch as your weight descends, but you make sure to keep it behind Dana and use her as a safer filter.
(Oh, yes! The older ship is nonhostile!) Your voice booms across the psychic link. (There's no need to fear them. I can't quite get through to the others though.) There's a pause.
(I'll leave you to it then!) You chirp, and withdraw to a more convienent listening distance.
There's a pregnant pause as the astropathic link tries to process your interruption.
(Rather louder than they were previously) Epistolary Julius claims. Dana's presence sighs. (Still a goofball of a god though) She steadies herself though. (Still, pass that on to your Captain if you're here in peace--there's at least two people rolling in that would take advantage of a wounded, excommunicate Space Marine Company and could probably win in your current condition. Keep your emissions low and try to use the shadow of the planet as cover--we'll give you sanctuary to repair and replace your damage as long as we can.)
(You have our thanks) You feel his presence bowing. (It was not our wish that things come to this point--but the matter has escalated beyond protocol. We will speak of these in greater detail later.)
[Early Contact made with the Azure Dragoons--they will enter the system on Silent Running and avoid discovery by the other factions]
The connection breaks, and you feel Dana slump over--your attention flows to the World Tree, where she pulls herself out of the Heartwood, absently yanking out the bindings as she goes.
"The Azure Dragoons are no more" She explains--and you pause. "They were excommunicated on suspicions of heresy, and engaged by the Executioners." You have no idea what that means. "Only a handful of Companies survived, and they've scattered to the winds to break contact."
That's awful!
"I know, right?" She shakes her head. "Solheart's Company remembered us though, and had the bright idea of cashing in on your offer later. We'll be discussing the details when they arrive, where we can't be intercepted."
That's good!
"So, only two left..." She closes her eyes for a moment and you sense her establishing a Heart-Link with Elliot, a query about how things have unfolded since.
+Holding pattern so far+ Elliot's report holds out. +The alien vessel is on approach to Equinox, and the Publicani's fleet is holding steady on the same course. I think they're going to try and make a race of it.+
+Good to know+ Dana muses, and turns to you. "Looks like you're up then!"
You titter quietly, your pipe still in hand. "Oh my, I was always waiting for an opportunity to try something like this..."
You turn to the Heartwood--and pour your essence into the World Tree.
The one vessel that could survive the attention of the entirety of your Self within the Materium--a megastructure of enormous size and strength, drawing from the full power of a planet as it did so.
More importantly though, it had all of the tools you would need to properly greet your new guests.
"Hail and welcome!" Your Voice propagates through the system, light speed being a mere suggestion as your will pushes radio waves beyond all physical limits. "For those that come in peace, the Cult of Verdance grants you welcome and hospitality!"
A probe, instructions on arrival.
"To those that come with hatred in their hearts, the Cult of Verdance denies you, and stands against you!" An impression of carving blades and razor scythes.
"We await your answers!" You conclude the speech, and withdraw.
That 'aught to shake 'em up a bit!
[Phase One Complete: Early Contact made with the Brilliant Sequence and Remnant Dragoons. Former does not retreat in terror, the latter enters Silent Running and enters the system in secret. The Publicani Fleet has charged weapons but is continuing its approach otherwise unabated. The Sendai Dynasty's vessel hasn't even done that, and is just sauntering its way down. It is likely a meeting will occur before any violence breaks out.]
[Phase Two coming soon. There will be rolls.]
