[X] Deny The Governor. His Nephew does not get command of the Hawk, he will remain as your executive officer where you can train him and keep an eye on him. (-15 Political Capital).
[X] Enforce the Law. No, ducal houses still need to pay taxes (+2 Sector Budget, +6 Personal Wealth. You are not abusing your position. Both ducal houses will remember this).
[X] Wait. You still have a good nine months or more for the commander to prove herself in some dramatic manner and she is getting ever more capable, frankly she is your best captain but she did just lose her ship and need you to rescue her. All she needs is one single ship victory you are pretty sure she can achieve by herself without you going out on a limb for her or risking her being transferred away.
Officer Actions & Loyalty Roll Results:
Commander Baron Adald Clipaul Imperial praises you to his Uncle: +5 Political Capital
Commander Sir Atthell Ason Perra quietly reports to you that Commander Dame Jule Sice Wison of the Harpy is wildly in debt despite her recent prize money, having bet heavily and unwisely on several recent high profile duels.
Captain Dame Juley Mara Wisanch has been extensively drilling her crew whilst in dry dock, at her own expense. The Peregrine's crew is now Experienced (+1).
Commander Dame Thera Phardson has been successful praising you to her captain, +1 Loyalty for the Peregrine's captain.
Baronet Commander Joyce Artis Rownett has been, at his own expense, hiring experienced petty officers for his crew as well as luring in a decorated lieutenant. Corvette Greyhound's crew is now Veteran (+2).
Baroness Commander Kathra Ared Scolly has convincing evidence that the Admiralty is about to increase the minimum term of service for enlisted naval personal to be granted debt release, by a decade. This will be rolled out to frontier sectors first. Corvette Whippet crew now trained to Green (-2)
Baroness Commander Ranca Sandra Arril reports that she has cut off the right arm of a minor by loud noble who declared you cannot have been the one who actually took the bridge of the Sword of Democracy and that it must have been the Imperial baron, your XO. +5 Political Capital.
Two days later you find yourself in your dress uniform in the Governor's palace whilst he looks not terribly pleased. "Your highness, whilst he did fight well in the storming of the Sword of Democracy your nephew was only promoted to his position six months ago."
The Governor General makes a sharp motion with one hand, a negatory sort of gesture. "Irrelevant commodore, you promoted that Wison girl from a lieutenant to command of a cruiser and she is younger than him, not to mention lacking Baron Adald's pedigree."
"She was also captured after her ship was overrun by NASP marines your highness. Commander Pera aboard the Hawk was nearly killed in those same circumstances. As my executive officer I can keep training his excellency in person and ready him for command of a less vulnerable ship where he can achieve greater things."
Diplomacy Check:
4 + 1 + 6 + 12 Effective Diplomacy = 23 – success. No modifiers to decision cost.
-15 Political Capital cost
The Governor General does not look entirely convinced, but shrugs and apparently concedes the point, a shake of his head. "Yet you are promoting that Sones character? Madness. But this is the greatest coup since that damn peace treaty and at least with the work you have been doing keeping the dukes in line I can afford to start fixing that mess at Imhotep. About time you got Jamoor to at least pretend to pay taxes.
Diplomacy Check:
5 + 3 + 6 + 12 Effective Diplomacy = 26, bonus success
The Governor General continues. "We need more of that and Lord Jefftry Grigonz obviously knows what he is doing. I am going to put three of my personal patrol cutters under your command, just keep the taxes coming in, keep my share of the prize money flowing and keep the dukes paying taxes. Also these are not navy ships, I expect them not to get a scratch on their golden paint without good reason."
Three Patrol Cutters with Regular (0) crews added to your fleet for customs enforcement duties. The admiral's share of prize money from these ships will not go to you and they are the property of the Governor General, who expects you to keep collecting ducal taxes. Their officers are directly employed by him. Also they are literally gold plated.
You were not expecting that, but smile, a bow of course, you are getting better there. "Thank you your highness, I shall ensure that your ships are kept on enforcement duties rather than being tasked with scouting, pirate interdiction or other strictly military tasks. It is a most generous contribution."
He gives a dismissive wave, leans back in his literally throne like chair. "Well go. Tomorrow you have your parade. Just be warned that people are going to be watching you."
The parade the next day is the largest such event you have seen since the end of the war and certainly the first in which you take center stage. The promenade of the capital city of Illam is lined with quite literally millions of people, a ten kilometre long, quarter kilometre wide swathe through the city leading to the Sector Palace and through it's surrounding gardens.
You, each of your cruiser captains, Commander Baron Adald Clipaul Imperial and brevet-Captain Waltin Sones each get a chariot, yours would normally be quite a lot larger than the others but given your lack of noble title you have to settle for yours being in front even as you are dwarfed by the three noble officers in the following three vehicles in the procession, Captain Dame Stephua Rosson Maner bulky in a medical exoskeleton and unable to stand under her own power.
Behind, select members of the three ship crews and marine compliments march, though almost all of the marines are from the Endeavour out of necessity, nearly a thousand ratings and troops in polished space armour. Overhead, surprisingly accurate quarter scale hover floats shaped like your three cruisers and the Sword of Democracy provide a fanciful re-enactment of the battle.
The procession itself takes over three hours and your knees and back are hurting by the time you finally arrive at the palace, you can only assume that Captain Sephua is in agony, but then you get to listen to speeches before giving your own.
But how do you focus your speech. This will not be a mono focus but where do you put particular emphasis?
[] Praise the Imperial House. Exalt everyone with how awesome the Empress and her representatives are and how the Empire has triumphed undertheir guidance.
[] Talk Yourself Up. Basically remind everyone that what you did was impossible and that you succeeded anyway. It would come across as ridiculous but it is true.
[] Your Crews. Praise the sacrifices and courage of your enlisted crews and marines, who fought the battle and won.
[] Your Officers. Laud the conduct of your officers and captains, who spearheaded the boarding action even at great personal risk, with half of them hospitalised or killed even as they triumphed.
[] A Specific Officer. Focus your particular praise on one officer in particular (Write in who with this!).
Afterwards there is a grand reception where your officers mingle with adoring fans and a handful of the most aesthetically pleasing and most polite of your crews get to stand around as centrepieces for conversation – something they are getting paid extra for.
A duel breaks out between a lieutenant from the Harpy and an Imperial Army major over something to do with Imhotep, but how do you mingle and with whom?
[] Find Ranca. Baroness Ranca Arril is here and you have not had a chance to speak with her at length socially since she arrived. She is almost certainly at the duel.
[] Hobnob. Mix with the rich and powerful, the titled nobility, the Governor General, find out what they might want from you and make yourself known to them.
[] Your Officers. Mingle with your officers and celebrate with them without showing favouritism.
[] Baroness Scolly. The baroness turned out to be surprisingly pleasant companion the last time you were in the palace for a formal event, now that your own star has risen, return the favour.
[] House Jamoor. While you have made them pay taxes recently you have given significant leeway to House Jamoor and one of their Counts is in attendance, seek him out and extend feelers.
Commander Waltin Sones is now Captain Waltin Sones, Loyalty raised to 20.
