NationStates Jolt Archive

Honoured Friend,

It is with extraordinary pleasure that I invite you to attend the official inauguration and launch ceremony of the First Imperial Patrol Group, a fleet of twenty nine vessels we have recently completed the construction of, which are to be stationed in the Solar System as a rapid reaction force to assist in conflict resolution there, something we are sure that you approve of, as we once again assure you that our objectives are shared with all our allies. We believe that such Patrol Groups will prove most useful in Solar Operations because, unlike the forces currently stationed there, they do not have defensive concerns and can be sent to areas where they are needed at a moment’s notice.

This inaguration will be held aboard one of the fleet’s cruisers, Arnstoan Riehn (Raven’s Talon) at the following location - Lagrange Point L3 of the Earth-Sun System at 18:00 GMT ((or NS equivalent)) hours in two days time. Guests will be given a guided tour of the vessel by Asirnoth, Master of the Imperial Fleet, before a dinner held aboard the ship and the final, short launch ceremony. We dearly hope that you choose to attend, or send some surrogate representative in your place.

Yours Sincerely,
Elash Mîraglariel,
Adjutant of the C’tan Emperor

Such letters were send to Kestrel Amea, United Indiastan; Sirithil nos Fëanor, Menelmacar; Aelosia, Aelosia; Taurevanimë, Taurenor; Imperatrix Lirella Keral, Kajal and finally Iyanna Arienel, Tor Yvresse, as well as to some of the Triumvirate of Yut and Martian Nations ((TG me if you’re interested)).

An hour later, at the opposite point of the Earth’s orbit from the planet itself, a rush of necron ships appeared, four heavy cruisers of a new type, though they were larger than the older scythes, they were no more dangerous, these were instead designed to be far less intimidating and threatening than their predecessors, with larger landing bays for diplomatic craft and actual guest suites for visitors aboard the vessels. Most of the other classes, the light cruisers, battleship and the many escorts had been designed likewise, equivalent to older ships, but far less threatening. The cruiser designated as the host, the last one to be completed, took up position in the centre and waited.

Taurevanimë recieved the letter and was quite happy with it. She was always ready to socialise with other leaders, especially the ones that the leaders she her allies trusted. She grabbed a sheet of paper and a quilted pen, deciding to reply to the letter emediatly.

Honoured Friend,

I would personally like to thank you for your gracious invitation to the official inauguration and launch ceremony of the First Imperial Patrol Group. I would be delighted to attend and shall make arangements immediately. It is as always an honour to be your friend and ally.

Your's sincerely,
Taurevanimë Nossë Nolofinwë,
High Queen of Taurenor


She waited for the ink to dry before placing it inside an envelope and sealing it with an Imperial seal and handing it to a messenger.

Dearest Mephet'ran,

It was with the greatest of pleasure that your invitation reached me through your adjutant. I would be overjoyed to attend the launch of your new fleet. I look forward to seeing you aboard Arnstoan Riehn.

All my love,
Siri

Dearest Mephet'ran

Nothing would please me more then to see you again, since it's been too long since you last visited. I hope you won't mind Adrianna's prescence; appearences must be maintained, and I'm sure you'd love to meet my sister.

Warmest regards,
Kestrel Amea

'There,' she thought to herself. 'That wasn't so hard. And this should be fun... better call Adrianna, get her on a flight home...' she paused as Miiko, her assistant entered.

"Miiko, dear, give Adi a call and tell her I'm picking her up in a couple of days for some terribly boring diplomatic party in orbit. And to wear her best outfit. It looks like you'll have the night off. Enjoy it."

Mephet

while it was certainly unusual to be addressed to as honoured friend by yourself, the offer, intriques me. As such I shall be in attendence under two conditions, the first would sdeem rather obvious, no blocking of the immaterium while I am present.

The second, I shall be bringing a companion with me

Iyaana High Farseer of the Council


'But Farseer I cannot be away from my work, the Sacriface's new upgrades are still incomplete and I still have to work out...' Letting the man continue like that for sometime she eventually stopped him,

'and all this pales next to what you shall have a chance to see, the inside of a Necrontyr vessel, imagine what secrets you might gain hints to?'
The mans face changed from one of dispair to sudden fascination his other projects temporary forgotten about.

Memo,
To: Iyanna Arienel, Tor Yvresse.
Fr: Mephet'ran, Arnstoan Riehn

Of course, surprisingly enough, the means to do such things aren't all that common, and I have no desire to offend you by doing so.

Yours, in anticpation of your arrival,
Mephet.

To: Lord Mephet'ran, The Istari of the Stars
From: Everqueen Aelosia, Light of the Sindarin

My Liege, it has been some time since the last time I had the pleasure of sharing words and thoughts with you. It will indeed an enormous pleasure to attend such meetings, for various reasons. First I would like to meet my peers, such as Sirithil, or Taurevanime again. Second, to enjoy both your company and to be able to stare at Asirnoth will be quite a pleasure indeed.

Third, it will be also a pleasure to see how can I bother that petty Farseer you're inviting too, but don't worry, I'll try to be as nice as I can be regarding an eldar, of course.

Wait for me, My Savior, I'll be there...

The Arnstoan Riehn’s landing bay was quite impressive to say the least. At the back of the ship sat a large portal on the exterior of the hull, glowing green. Though this seemed to be a simple force field, though opaque, it was in fact akin to the small portal on the ground vehicle called the Monolith, a one way portal to the landing bay, behind metres of armour.

The ship did have a back up entrance to the main bay of course, a tunnel through the thick armour of the ship, but it wouldn’t open that unless it had to. Indeed there were several landing bays that used the portal, one for diplomats, this one, and more for dropships, one of which was attached to the medical-bay, something else that was relatively new aboard this class of vessel.

In the bay, numerous figures lurked. The burnished gold armoured figures of a squad of the Emperor’s personal guard were lined up against one wall like toy soldiers, which in a sense, is what they were. Their job was almost entirely to look cool. Which given the angular features of their golden armour and the long crimson mantles they wore over it, wasn’t that hard.

Which wasn’t to say that they were badly equipped, or badly trained, but when the man they were tasked to guard was so physically powerful, there wasn’t much point in their job, it was more a case of, ‘He’s got a gun. I suppose we should take it off him, he might get hurt.’ The true warriors of the C’tan were aboard, of course, but in far lower numbers than they would be under most circumstances, and carefully put out of the way of the guests.

Also in the docking bay a slender figure with blue skin and subtly pointed ears, taller than the average man stood, a simple robe covering her body. She was Elash, the one who had written the invitations, and the Emperor had assigned her to greeting the guests, he himself was nearby, in a large sitting room with a small bar to one side of it, talking to several others, not least Paul de Vere, his spymaster. Meanwhile, his brother, this time once more in a humanoid – a dark haired elf – form, but this time with subtle scales on his skin, a line of them down either side of his neck. His muscle tone was a little odd too, as though he made little effort to hide the fact that his body was made of metal, spoke with another woman who looked very much like Elash, her sister, discussing specifics of the ship, and how best to show it off in the tour.

((Feel free to begin arriving now folks.))

A pair of figures slid around the nearest bend of the corridor. One of them was Sergei Valkov, the other, a voluptuous woman that glanced at him with an expression that could be described in a single word, horny.

Lev stared at Sergei. "You're late."

"It's my fault," said the woman. She came closer to him, flaunting her breasts at him. " Tatiiana 's the name, Tatiiana Iakovleva. You presented me an award in a swimsuit pageant, once.” She winked. “It's a real privilege."

Lev had a vague recollection of the visit, before he had become the first councilor of the country the burden of secrecy and the government had fallen solely on him. Lev suppressed his smirking. Evidently it wasn't enough of an honor for her to make the meeting without some ‘persuasion’.

"So," continued Tatiiana, "what did you want to know?"

Lev Aleksandrov studied the woman. She was the last person you would even think of being a diplomat, she looked like a prostitute and she’d proven herself to act like once. Then again, he had no choice because she is the last qualified person that would be the emissary. "I trust you understand that absolute discipline is necessary here. I don't want them to think of us as sex slaves, and anyone else for that matter."

Tatiiana looked a little disappointed. "Of course."

Lev nodded. "Good. As you are certainly aware, Mr. Valkov and I are not without... resources. If you were to act like that publicly, we'd be most... upset." The pause was calculated. Sometimes a pause spoke too much.

Tatiiana looked from Lev to Valkov; Lev noticed that Valkov kept a perfect poker face.

“Now with that cleared up, time to call them.”

#-#-#

Greetings,

We cordially accept your invitation to the launch ceremony. It is truly a privilege to be able to witness your fleet, and we would like to extend our peaceful intentions to the possibility of a new, friendly acquaintance to our people.

Regards,
Lev Aleksandrov; First Councilor

Taurevanimë sat in the necron shuttle she had gotten as a gift from the Necron Empire. She looked down at the forests with a sigh as the shuttle quickly gained altitude and exited the atmosphere on a course for the Necron ships.
The shuttle approached the rear of the Arnstoan Riehn. Gently drifting towards the portal and moving inside. Taurevanimë was amazed to find the shuttle appear inside the bay of the Arnstoan Riehn. Slowly the shuttle descended down untill it was a few feet above the floor and then the door opened. Taurevanimë stood in the opening already, knowing that she would be safe here. She gently stepped out the shuttle and looked at all the guards with a smile.

As one four of the guards smoothly detached themselves from the wall, walking over with Elash as she strode toward the Tauretári, smiling somewhat, she bowed at the bottom of the shuttle's ramp. "Welcome aboard the Imperial Cruiser Arnstoan Riehn Milady, it is an honour to have you aboard," she said. "We hope you won't mind if we move your vehicle to a storage bay," she added, "we must keep the bay open for other arrivals after all," she said. After a moment's silent regarding of the Noldorin queen she added, "If you would step this way please," she said, gesturing towards a large lift with mirrored walls.

Overall, the docking bay seemed to be built from some strange crystalline structure, soaring into the roof were several sparkling pillars of a translucent turquoise material that seemed to be lit from within by some ghostly illumination. High up the celing of the landing bay was vaulted like a sapphire cathedral, shining lights reflecting and refracting through countless crystals. The floor was more mundane, metal, a dull steel grey that could only be appreciated from above, where it depicted in soft relief, a massive version of the Imperial Symbol, the floor making it up softly gold tinted.

Honoured Friend,

It is with great pleasure that I accept your invitation to the inauguration and launch ceremonies of what will surely become a fleet with an untarnishable reputation. I will depart with the utmost speed, so that I may arrive without disrupting the ceremonies

With the utmost grace,
Lirella Keral,
Imperatrix of the Kajali Worlds

The letter would no doubt have been recieved only moments before the Imperatrix's vessel, one of the transports (http://theros.illuminati-fiction.net/images/imperatrix/imperatrix1.JPG) attached to the Soramur Kani would arrive, flashing out of subspace transit.

The decidedly regal craft requested permissions to dock.

The ships of the fleet had been expecting such an arrival, and thus managed not to follow the usual procedure for such things, namely shooting first and interrogating the prisoners later. The Arnstoan granted the permission to land almost immediately, quickly shuffling the Taurenorian shuttle away into a side bay, a large but relatively spartan room lacking artificial gravity, where it was pushed upward by an invisible force, and into one of six or so vast alcoves off the three walls of the room.

"And it is an honour to be here." Taurevanimë replied to Elash. "Of course I wouldn't mind having my shuttle moved into storage. And I'd like to give thanks to you for giving it to me." She stepped out of the shuttle, the light shimmering of the creamy orange dress she wore. Following Elash's lead.

The Imperatrix' transport, as it was indeed somewhat larger then an average shuttle, made a beeline for the docking bay, the pilots rather enjoying that the ship was the equivalent of a cadillac in space. With most vessels, some pilots enjoyed making their landing approach at ludicrous speeds, however, with the Imperatrix herself aboard, they knew... better... then to attempt such a feat.


Even if she herself had a tendency towards it.

The transport glid gracefully through the portal, into the bay. The landing struts descended, making a slight thud as they contacted the floor, and the boarding ramp descended from the port airlock, which was situated somewhat below one of the Imperial Suites aboard.

Dressed in shimmering whites, Imperatrix Keral descended, with a minimal escort of only two female IKSF officers, both clothed in what looked like leather pant suits. Both of the officer's uniforms had a single shoulder in grey, which of course, would usually scare the feces out of any random Kajali citizen.

The Imperatrix and her escort simply waited for an envoy to approach them.

After a moment, Elash led Taurevanimë to the lift and stopped at the door, casually nodding to the queen, she paused at the door, "And now your majesty, I must greet the next guests, though it would be my pleasure to speak to you at some point in the evening."

With no visual trigger, the lift doors closed, and without any sensation of movement, moments later, they opened once more. A young elven woman named Shai, rather rarely, this was a necrontyr name, a servant by her dress, announced, "Tauretári Taurevanimë, Queen of Taurenor." Everyone looked up, and the Emperor stood, walking over to her.

Sirithil's shuttle approached Arnstoan Riehn's landing bay, requesting permission to dock.

Slowly, almost lazily, the Serenity rose out of the atmosphere, destined for the Arnstoan Riehn. The shuttle was met in orbit by a pair of Deimos light cruisers, their rather elegant (for an Indiastani design) forms falling into place on the Serenity's flanks. They approached slowly, broadcasting the standard greeting. Once they approach the pickets, the two escorts break off, allowing Kestrel's shuttle to fly the rest of the way in alone.

---

"I've heard some rather notable people are coming to this little party" said Adrianna idly.

'Yes, quite a few. Elves for the most part. Suppose you'll look a little out of place in your suit,' replied Kes with a giggle.

"Ha, well, pardon me for having a sense of style from this century."

'Ha, sarcasm. Funny. Not my fault this kimono looks absolutly gorgeous.'

The comm built into the small cabin buzzed, and the pilot informed the Queen that they were about to land.

'Well, show time.'

The Yaucht was a simple design for the Yvressi, an elequant vessel designed for those state visits where a Warship would be inapproiate. Such as arriving at a Necrontyr fleet review, things might have gone badly after all. Onboard her the Two Kionash where surprisingly taking little advantage of the comforts of the vessel, a civilian ship designed by a people renowed for their decadence. Iyaana was sat in meditation in her room, a slight yet revealing smell in the air would assure the casual visitor that it was not a herb that was burning in the incense.

Elsewhere her guest slaved furiously over another ship design unlikely to see the face of day it was a mere distraction for the man while he waited to become perhaps the first of his kind to see inside a Necrontyr vessel, and he wondered how it would influance his future desing projects.

Arnstoan Riehn this is Yvressi Civilian Cruiser Stars light requesting permission to send the Farsreer and companion aboard.

In the bay the youngish necrontyr woman stalked over to Imperatrix Keral with another four guards, again her slightly bluish lips were crossed by a warm smile, and she nodded to the latest guest, repeating her earlier speech, and once more gesturing for her use another lift, not that it was in another place, it occupied the same position as the last one. Of course, she would be announced in a similar manner. They were a little disconcerted by the presence of the guards but they paid them no heed, though the pair looked far from ceremonial, on such an occasion the Imperatrix was entitled to a little paranoia.

Once she was gone they made a point of asking if the crew would care to disembark before the craft, large though it was, was stored.

----

Sirithil was the next one to be allowed into the docking bay, though they briefly switched the portals for convenience, but in her case another necrontyr woman, another of the few of that species who actually existed, a bare ten million in all, wandered over to the ramp of Sirithil’s shuttle. Arshaw, or as she was occasionally called ‘Ariasiu,’ from a ‘first contact’ incident some time ago, smiled broadly at the Noldorin queen and practically latched onto her. “Hello again,” she said, “welcome to the Arnstoan, care for a drink?” she said, holding up a pseudo-ceramic cup of some beverage, one that actually tasted rather like a sweeter mint flavour, and whispering something into the elven queen’s ear even as someone else wandered up the ramp to ask if the others who’d come aboard the vessel would care for anything.

----

After the Kajali craft was stowed, the Indiastani and Yvressi ships landed almost simultaneously, and Elash was torn between both, eventually she headed for the Yvressi one, deciding that it would be best to show off to their enemies, and bowed deeply at the base of the ramp before the farseer, watching as the exarch with her looked around the docking bay without even taking her in, ‘Rude,’ she thought, ‘but hardly unexpected.’

“Welcome aboard the Arnstoan Rihan,” she said, “High Farseer. We hope you enjoy your visit. This way please,” she gestured, keeping her eyes away from the Eldar’s own, she knew well enough how one should interact with Eldar, which usually consisted of pandering to their delusions of being the Master Race.

Meanwhile, five of the guards waited at the ramp of the Indiastani shuttle, the lead one, an officer, a colonel by the looks of his rank insignia, repeated the greeting given to Taurevanimë; "Welcome aboard the Imperial Cruiser Arnstoan Riehn Milady, it is an honour to have you aboard," he said. "We hope you won't mind if we move your vehicle to a storage bay," she added, "for general convenience."

"Are we already fashionably late?", asked the authoritarian femenine voice from the luxury compartment of the shuttle.

"Looks like, Everqueen. most of the other dignataries have already arrived", answered a courtier from the antechamber lying between the pilot cockpit and the back of the transport.

"Is the flagship already leaving?. I don't like any of those military vessels. They're boring, and slow. If we're already late, then let's hurry up and make everyone else think that we were in a hurry", said Aelosia, smirking a little as she left her cabin and took a seat outside. "In there it's too comfortable, not exactly my style", she said as she saw the amazed expression in the courtier's face.

The pilot was amused, they had been floating near the Ct'an border for hours, and now they needed to hurry. Understanding the wishes of the Everqueen was an art indeed..."This is the Belonnaer, Aelosian Luxury liner in a diplomatic travel. Our current passenger is Everqueen Aelosia, invited by the Emperor Mephet'ran, requesting permission for navigation and landing", he said through all fequences of the comlink...

A Bajoni Maethor Cruiser dropped out of hyperspace in a flash of red, dropping a shuttle out of its hangar as it made a quick pass by the Necron Battleship, before popping back into hyperspace in another quick flash of red.

"Her Highness, Lady Azura of Bajon, has arrived for the proceedings along with his Grace, Master Saeros. We request permission to dock. Oh yes, and M'lady Azura wishes to know if Lord Mephet'ran will be attending."

Saeros rolled his eyes at this last part. He knew Azura's strange fascination with Mephet'ran.
"I could have you lashed for that." She said in an angry tone before cracking a slight smile.

"You could..." he responded as the shuttle entered the hangar, "but you know its true."

"And why would the truth stop me?" she said as she fastened the crystal necklace Mephet'ran had given her around her neck.
"Good point." said Saeros, stretching a bit as he straightened his robes to exit the shuttle.

In a bare moment the ship responded to Aelosia’s request, directing the Aelosian vessel into its bay, again, as it landed, Aelosia was subjected to the same welcome speech. Azura meanwhile, was apologetically asked to hold for a moment, “I’m afraid that we can’t land anyone at the moment,” the ship said, “however, I can confirm that the Emperor is aboard, and that he looks forward to meeting her majesty Queen Azura again.”

Kestrel and Adrianna bowed slightly to the officer, and once the formalites were compelet, Adi spoke. "Certainly. Farhan can stay with the ship, as he usually likes to do. Put the Serenity where ever she's out of the way." She paused for a moment, as Kestrel looked around the bay.

'They have a flair for the dramatic, I'll give them that,' she thought.

"Now, Colonel is it?" Adrianna asked, gently taking Kes's arm, "Shall we be getting on to the party?"

As Iyaana stepped forward giving a small nod to the woman she paused, something about her seemed strange something she couldn't place, then a shrug of acceptence. She was only Mon-Keigh after ll another Species likely that followed the Yngir blindly. 'So who else has been invited to this launch then if I might ask?'

By her side her companions eyes danced around the landing bay taking in the main details at first later he would play what he saw over in his mind, but for now he was... disappointed the bay followed pretty much the layout of any other Landing bay, somehow he had expected... different from the Yngir.

"Certainly," she said, "Taurevanimë of Taurenor, Sirithil nos Fëanor, High Queen Azura of Bajon, Lirella Keral of Kajal, Kestrel Amea of United Indiastan, someone from a nation called Zvarinograd oh and Queen Aelosia." Elash spaed a glance for the exarch, "The bay is fairly ordinary, though it's worth noting that we're currently close to the ship's centre of mass, with that being a portal, allowing for several obvious advantages over the conventional approach. The interior of the bay was designed to be somewhat accomadating to guests, so there's not much of interest."

The man nodded at the words obviously already filing the information away his mind already calculating what this would mean to the Hanger finnaly he spoke putting his thoughts into words. 'I See so one would assume that entrance over there,' As he spoke his hand raised to point at a Gateway large enough by his estimate to handle most ships expected to dock at such a Vessel as this, and positioned in what he thought a likely area. 'Would serve as a back up system?'

He continued to ramble barely pausing to draw breath 'Yes yes I can see how that would fit in... Of course with the Hanger positioned here on a normal vessel other areas would be displaced, however normally I'd say such areas would be Crew quarters. But with your unique Crew needs that isn't really an issue.' He paused now and nodded, 'Except it is in this design to an extent likely greater in your more traditional designs as this vessel has taken into account the needs and comforts of at least some living guests. As evidenced by the simple fact we are here.'

Eventually he stopped speaking his mind however obviously still thinking about the matter, but now having some focus for his deliberations.

"Well, yes," she said, "It goes through the length of the ship, and is rather heavily armoured. This vessel is tactically much the same as what is called the Shroud class, though it is somewhat larger it incorparates the shadowfields that Raem was kind enough to let us analyse in order to reduce its sensor profile."

Azura huffed a bit and sat back down as the shuttle circled around waiting for clearance. Saeros just laughed to himself and read up on the provided information on Asirnoth. He had been wanting to meet this 'man' for some time.

"Strange...amazing and beautiful, I would describe it", said the old aelosian courtier as he touched the floor of the launch bay.

"Strange, amazing, beautiful and powerful. I should add. The Necrontyr and their masters the C'tan are one of the most fearsome powers in this part of the universe. And you haven't seen a C'tan yet. you'll be astonished by the force coming out of their auras", said the Everqueen, adopting a regal pace as she walked through the place.

Turning to the nearest necrontyr, she said just a phrase, using her voice in an authoritarian manner. "Asirnoth. Where is he?"

Taurevanimë smiled as she was announced and stepped gracefully forward to the emporer, bowing lightly to him. "Elen sila lúmenn omentielvo." She said and looked up at him. "A star shines on the hour of our meeting. It is good to see a representative of the Ctan Empire once more. As you already know I am Taurevanimë. But I am afraid we never met Lord." She paused, clearly to let him finish the sentence.

The necrontyr in question narrowed her eyes a little, but said nothing about the C’tan being her ‘masters’ – she would doubtless have used a more delicate phrasing, but she had read up on Aelosia, and doubted the queen meant any insult by her words. She bowed a little, “He is this way,” she said, “I have been informed he is eager to see you,” she added, escorting Aelosia and her companion to the lift.

The Emperor smiled a little, returning the customary greeting as he did so – quite familiar with it – and gently, artfully even, walking Taurevanimë away from the lift’s entrance, “Mephet’ran,” he concluded, adding, “Ah, but I have heard all about you from Fëaelen,” he said, not quite truthfully, “nothing but good things I might add.”

As Aelosia arrived, the other of the two C’tan was waiting at the lift, a little smile across his own face. He was of course, still in the rather powerful looking quasi-elf form he had been in before, dressed in a long set of black robes that shimmered as the light touched them, bizarrely becoming darker when exposed to the light, and lighter in shadow. At the neck he wore another version of the clasp that Aelosia had commented on the first time they’d met, this one, once more depicting a draconic, wyrmlike figure, but rather than a world, this time it seemed to be intimately entangled with a slender, winged feminine figure.

And, outside, at long last, Azura was given a rather apologetic landing clearance, and directed, or rather, asked, to set down where the Aelosian shuttle had been a moment ago.

"I am glad to hear that good news comes from me." She spoke softly as she walked by his side, looking at everyone present but never looking directly at Mephet'ran. "I have to say that we sadly don't get much news about you are the Ctan Empire." She said and raised a hand to get a drink.

Most people nodded politely as Taurevanimë regarded them, and the Emperor smiled a little, "I see," he said, "well, to be honest, there's not much to tell. Everything's been going along much as it has for the last few decades, no real news."

A moment later, a waiter walked over and asked Taure what she desired.

"Where two trees come together, there is a forest"
Guðni Ágústsson, minister of agriculture in Iceland.
(well, he didn't actually say it, someone acting him did, but still)

"A nice wine please." She said to the waiter with a smile and looked back at Mephet'ran. "I have good news though. We have finished our construction of the shipyard in Nénar has been completed. Of course construction to further expand it will continue, our main goal has been reached and we can start building up large hull ships again. Among which the colony ships." She said and smiled. "Guess I'll need to start looking for an embassador soon." She laughed lightly.

The waited nodded and walked off as the Emperor smiled and nodded too, "Indeed, that is good news, we have all been greatly anticipating your arrival," he said, "And of course, we would welcome an ambassador," he added with a smile, "I take it you have no complaints about Elendan," he continued, hoping for a heartfelt denial of that suggestion.

The Everqueen Aelosia, Light of the Sindarin, Master of over two billion souls, suddenly felt as the floor trembled under her feet as she watched the wondrous and handsome form in front of her, but even more as she read the hidden power in the aura surrounding him. When dealing with the Yngir, nothing is what it looks, she remembered the words of the Farseer as a lost memory, recognizing in the tone the old words of the same Farseer that cursed her into undeath.

Nothing it what it looks indeed. It's better than it looks, she said to herself, managing to show a wry grin to Asirnoth as she finally bowed to him...

The Aelosian art of bowing was as ancient as the Empire itself, and was an art based on perfection. But noone was better at it than the fabled Everqueen of the Sindar, the descendant of Dior, Lúthien and Melian. Her body moved slowly, her arms spinning a bit around her as her waist bent , almost throwing her torso forwards like a wave of a raging sea. Her head slowly came down, and her carefully dressed hair didn't move as she did so.
It was a shame that the long robe over the Everqueen's body cloaked the entire, delicate and exquisite movement.

As she finally raised from her bow, her companion, the old aelosian courtier grew pale, and looked up to the C'tan receiving such a gift, such a unique reward. "Greetings, Asirnoth the VoidDragon. It is indeed a pleasure for me to meet you again in this occassion, and I suppose Mandos is being generous by letting our fates cross their paths again", she said, staring directly at his eyes, showing only admiration, not only repect, but no fear was in the insane pupils of the elf...

Taurevanimë smiled at the waiter as he went a way and looked back at Mephet'ran again. "Oh no, no complaints at all. He has done an admirable job. He even instructed me on the use of the shuttle you gave me." She thought back on her experiences flying the shuttle. "A grand piece of engineering. Thank you."

He could of course, see every motion of her body under her clothing, conveniently he could see in infrared, and could watch every motion of her body under her clothes at the same time as watching her with normal vision, and the exceptionally beautiful ‘feel’ of her. He bowed in return, having made a point of learning just about everything that there was to know, to an outsider at least, about the Aelosian courtier’s bowing traditions. He made a point of returning the bow in a way that would make him, to those with the appropriate knowledge at least, seem superior, or at least, seem to consider himself so.

After that he spoke up, “It is a pleasure for me also, I have been looking forward to seeing you again since our last meeting,” he said nothing of Mandos, but he was fairly certain that no such doom would keep him away from this queen should it be opposed to him.

Meanwhile, Mephet'ran smiled, “Excellent,” he said, “I do seem to recall him wanting one of those, yes. They’re rather rare, I use an almost identical vessel myself in fact,” he added, “and I can quite understand why one would consider them to be grand pieces of engineering. We’re very proud of our abilities in that department,” he added as the waiter returned with wine for the queen, “hence our little tour and dinner today. I’ve been meaning to ask, how would you like to be one of the few people outside our own nation,” an understatement, given the number of necrontyr living abroad, “to try some more traditional necrontyr cuisine later?” he said, “We’re still not quite sure what combination of foods to serve.”

She nodded her head at the waiter and took a sip of the wine. "If your food is as good as your wine then I would be honoured to Lord Mephet'ran." She said and bowed her head respectfully. She straightened out again and took another sip of the wine. "This truely is a most excellent wine. What is it?"

He smiled a little, "I can't say that that's exactly traditional, but I believe it to be one of the numerous wines to come from Vinyandor, a region slightly to the north of the capital on Duat, rather near where your own colonies should be in fact," he said, "very fertile, it produces quite a lot of such things."

Aelosia continued to maintain her steady stare, showing now a bright smile on her lips. "So. Now that we are together again...Are we going again to share some of our precious time in idle parties and show off, or are you going to motivate me with an offer I couldn't refuse?", said the Queen, her smile turning into a mischievous grin.

"I see now that you have mastered one of our arts, VoidDragon, and with a good skill, although for sure I could manage to teach you how to properly bow in a show of respect for the one receiving the bow, and not as a show of your own and inner power", she continued with a chuckle. "However, it would be both an honor and a pleasure to see if you have mastered the rest of our fabled skills, like flirting and courting a Lady", she said, goig to the point with a devastating and undelicate honesty.

Lev Aleksandrov thought about it. His remaining contacts in space were limited, but she had friends there, and he knew they'd be useful to the council. "I think I can do something about that." He stood and held out his hand to her. She took it, her fingers soft and surprisingly strong.

Her smile was back. "We should meet again to compare notes, but if there really is something suspicious going on, perhaps we shouldn't meet in the command center." She seemed to consider the idea for a moment. "I just got assigned my new quarters, and the woman I share with works evening shifts. Perhaps we could have dinner there."

He sighed. Three times already he'd used his own room assignments as trading fodder, and he was still sleeping in a corridor. Government didn't give as much priority to the leaders themselves as they used to. "That would be great." He paused as they'd had arrived. "You'd think they'd be sore we arrived a little late, Tatiiana?"

"Nah." She watched his face for a reaction, as though she'd been expecting one. "They wouldn't mind, we aren't of any importance anyway. We're just there to do what we want." He wasn't sure what she was talking about. "I'll message you when I have something to share."

He smiled back at her as he headed out back to the shuttle. "You do that."

He smiled a little, “Ah, respect I definitely have for you, but I’m afraid my own inner power is rather important to me,” he said with a mysterious little grin. Shifting his body subtly, to be a little nearer to her, into an almost sexual pose, subtly feeling almost threatening to those nearby, but also exciting. He gestured idly, extending an arm in a way that suggested he expected her to take it.

He smiled playfully, “And, as for courting a lady, well, I pride myself that I know something of what most ladies want – it’s a peculiarity of the breed after all” he glanced at his brother, currently leading Taurevanimë over to the lift to speak with another woman, Kestrel Amea of United Indiastan. Clearly he thought that the latter was looking just a little lost and could do with some introductions, and smiled, “and I also pride myself that I have acquired some skill over the ages in giving such things to a lady…”

He probably couldn’t have been much more direct short of looking into her eyes and saying, “I want you…”

----

Mephet'ran walked Taurevanimë up to the Indiastani queen as casually as possible and smiled at the latter, "Queen Kestrel Amea of United Indiastan," he said, to Taure, and did likewise, "Taurevanimë, of Taurenor," for Kestrel's benefit.

The shuttle sat down among the others in the hangar and the door quickly opened. Azura practically jumped out, while Saeros cooly stepped out after here. As Elash greated them, Azura was slightly annoyed. She wanted to see Mephet'ran. Saeros chatted with Elash a bit as they walked ot the lift.
"I trust we will meet later." He said as they stepped into the lift and it took off.

"So..." started Azura, "you are allowed to chastise me? But when you do it its a differant story?"
Saeros just rolled his eyes and shot an unreadable glance at her, making no effort to try and refute her accusation.

The lift arrived and the two stepped out.
"We'll meet back up for the tour." said Azura as she walked quickly away leaving Saeros standing there in his white robes.

She spotted Mephet'ran and made her way to him, straightening the elven crown wrapping around her forehead. She walked up beside him quietly. "How are we today, Mephet?" she said with a little humor in her voice. Before he could respond she noticed who was beside him. "Oh, hello Taurevanima, dear." she gritted out, remembering thier spat at Aelosia's last ball.

Saeros just shook his head and walked to the bar to see who was there, looking desperately like he needed someone to talk to.

Aelosia gladly took Asirnoth's arm, and rested the entire weight on her body in one of her hips, trying to remark the provocative form of her hips and waist to the sight of the C'tan. Waving dismissively a hand, she sent the Aelosian courtier away, winking mischievously at Asirnoth.

"And now, my provocative and casanova Ct'an, Where are you directing me?", she said, smiling broadly to show him her perfect teeth.

Meanwhile, the Imperatrix was in the process of attempting to get a waiter's attention.

Taking into consideration how she was clothed, it shouldn't have been too difficult.

However, she was also attempting to not flash the entire room in the process. Such an event could possibly be problematic.

And thus, she was, more or less... chasing waiters around the room.

Eventually, she sat back down with her escorts, and plotted.

She was an Imperatrix after all, so why shouldn't this particular method work?

Waving her escorts away, she attempted a rather seductive pose, and began staring at one of the waiters.

"A pleasure to meet you." Taurevanime spoke with a beautifull melodic voice and bowed gracefully to the Indiastani queen after Mephet's introduction.

Kestrel bows, Adrianna remaining upright to sign for her sister. After standing up again, Kes beging signing quickly as Adrianna begins the instantanous translation. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Queen of Taurenor? I must confess I'm unfamiliar with it."

Mephet`ran smiles a little but says nothing.

Taurevanime nodded, quickly realises that Kestrel was unable to speak, however she still looked at her as she spoke. "It's an elven nation in the region you know as Sisgardia. We are a recent addition to this world."

He of course finds that amusing, given that he's fairly certain if she really wanted to Kes could have that repaired quite quickly.

Kes nods at the mention of Sisgardia, finally something she's at least heard of. "Ah, yes, I can't say that I've been to Sisgardia in my travels before, but I've heard more then a few tales about it. But welcome, anyways."

"Then let me take this time to invite you to visit our nation and region some time. We would be most glad to welcome one of the friends of the Ctan."

This makes Kes smile, a little taken aback. "My thanks majesty. It would be a pleasure. I'm sure a reciprocal arrangement is certainly possible as well."

"Of course it is. I have still to visit another nation. So far I've only been one these machines of war." She smiles. "But enough about that. I rather like your dress Lady Kestrel, it's an unfamiliar design to me."

Kes blushes a little, bowing slightly again. "It is a Japanese kimono, Majesty. Its design is ancient in origins, and made of the very finest silk. I wear them often."

"It looks lovely, especially on you my dear." She says.

She bows again a little more deeply, her cheeks obviously a little rosy. 'Mephet,' she asks him privately, 'When will the tour get started?'

Mephet`ran looks at Kestrel, 'Soon. I imagine a lot of people want to get a drink or some such first, and then we'll be off. We're still wating on the Zvarinograd representative too...'

'Would it be too much to ask to see you later tonight?' she asked, as Adrianna makes small talk with Taurevanime about the various dress customs of Indiastan.

Taurevanime, however, idly takes a sip of her wine, not looking for the silent dialouge going on right in front of her. "You should try the wine Lady Kestrel, it is truly magnificant."

Mephet`ran raises an eyebrow at this. 'You mean you'd like to... stay... overnight again?'

Kes furrows her brow slightly, signing and 'sending' simultaniously. "Yes, I'll think we shall. An excellent suggestion." 'Well, if it isn't too much of a hassle...'

'Absoloutely not, it'll be a pleasure,' he sends.

This elicits a smile, and Kes indicates for Adrianna to get drinks for them all. Which, of course, she obediently does.

Taurevanime finishes her drink and turns to Azura who just arrived. "Why, hello Azura..."

Azura looked over to the Indiastanis.
"I trust you are enjoying yourselves." she said with a bow.
"I always enjoy seeing Mephet." she said, placing her hand seductively on his shoulder.

Saeros noticed the Imperatrix of Kajal staring down the waiters. He stopped one walking by him. "Do you see the lovely lady there? Send her a drink and see if she needs anything else." he said, pointing the waiter in her direction and giving him a little push off.

The Emperor smiled at Azura, "A true flatterer this one," he said playfully, "And it is always a pleasure to see yourself too," he added with a smile, moving a hand to the small of her back in a similar manner.

Lirella, of course, asked merely for a glass of chilled wine, and nothing else.

Once that request had been fulfilled, she decided it wouldn't do for her to simply lounge about looking generally seductive, and thusly, she left her seat, walking gracefully towards Saeros.

She was unsure if she had actually met him in person at any point, but such thoughts were trivial, especially considering the fashion in which many nations held "meetings" these days.

Letter:

To: Emperor Mephet`ran
From: Galadriël

My dearest friend,

Your invitation to attend the official inauguration and launch ceremony of the First Imperial Patrol Group, is most kind. I would have loved to attend and I do hope to see more of the Ctan in the future.

Unfortunately, grave matters of state keep me from leaving my lands to visit you again. With my country on the brink of war I cannot leave as my presence is most required. My heart yearns for the moment where the stars are set for us to meet once again but this moment has not yet come.

All my love,

Lady Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan

"Greetings Lady Azura. It is good to see you at this little gathering." Taurevanimë said with a smile and bowed a little in respect. "How are you doing, if I might ask?"

“If you’ll excuse me,” the Emperor said, backing off for a moment and raising his voice, “Ladies,” he said, noting once more that almost all of the guests were females, “and gentlemen,” he added, mostly for the benefit of his own group and also due to certain demands of the traditional phrase, “I do believe we’ve asked you to come here today in part because we want to meet you all,” he paused, “but we did promise you a tour of the vessel, and so, would anyone have any objections to beginning now?” he asked.

Asirnoth looked up, and then back to Aelosia, “Well my dearest, it appears that I shall be taking you – and some others – around the ship now…”

"Others...", whispered Aelosia in her native Sindarin. "I used to be a reallly jealous about others. I'll wait of course until you have some time or occassion to be alone with me, without any others", she said with a wink, decided to accompany Asirnoth by the arm during the show.

Asirnoth smiled, "Now that my dear," he whispered, his voice lowered, the tone suggesting lust, "I look forward to."

Taurevanimë listened attentivilly to Mephet'ran as he spoke and spared only a few glances at the other guests to see their reactions. She waited a while and it was clear that no one was going to reply to his question first so she might as well do it. She smiled at Mephet'ran and looked at everyone present. "Well I for one have no objections and am looking forward to the tour of this vessel. I hope that I am not alone in this." She said with a graceful voice and sipped the last bit of her wine.

At the mention of the Fallen having shared Technology with the Yngir their was a barely visable stiffining of the two, in discomfort. Still Iyaana did not let it catch them too unready and quickly turned the moment into a question, a search for more information. 'Are we to assume such a exchange occured when they assulted us? Was this the reason that the Nightbringer was present during the little battle in the Web?'

As she spoke the two of them of course headed quickly to join the others with Mephet and to join in the tour.

((A Very poor catch up post))

She smiled, "I'd have to check when that agreement was established exactly, I wasn't alive at that time," she smiled, "Fast maturing species and so forth," she added, "But yes, indeed. Before he was - shall we say - emasculated and ejected, the Nightbringer was working with the Manmen Kabal. We believe that to be where he fled to afterward as well..."

A smile from Iyaana as she filed both pieces of information away, a fast maturing species, hmm interesting again it seemed to tally with something in the back of her mind, bringing it closer to focus but it still remained out of reach. 'So the Nightbringer has been banished then, ahh never mind, I am sure such information is unimportent we would hate to engage in idle Gossip at such a time after all.'


As Iyaana spoke she smiled, casting occasional glances at her companion noting with a satisfied nod of her head that his face appeared deep in thought, as he looked over the vessel, it was near impossible that he would be able to replicate what he was seeing here, but the simple insights he would gain would prove invaluable.

Kestrel and Adrianna had been rather quiet the whole time, merely following the group on the tour. Impressive though it was, very little changed the fact that it was still a ship. And ships, generally, aren't very entertaining to someone who dosn't spend their lives building and dreaming about building ships. So they shuffled along, oohing and ahhing when everyone else did, and tried their best to look entertained.

'Well, if this isn't the pinnacle of excitement...' Kestrel sent to Adi as the tour continued on.

'Why'd you bring me here again?' she thought, knowing her sister would hear. They'd practiced communicating telepathicly, and Adi had caught on rather easily.

'Because I wanted to give Miiko a few days to herself for a change, and because I havn't seen you for awhile, that's why,' she said in responce, mostly in jest.

'Ah, yes. Kono-chan and I are working on getting our adoption papers together, and you had to drag out here because you're bored?'

'Oh, don't make me pull rank sis. I know as well as you do that, despite all the happiness you've found with Konoka, you still relish every chance you get to leave that island. I was thinking of you, too.'

'Ah, you're too good at this mind-reading thing. Thanks for the effort. Let's just try to have some fun, ok?'

'I think we'll manage. Somehow.'

The C’tan ship’s tour became increasingly more interesting as they went on. The first and presumably most logical place to start was the ‘bridge’ of the ship. Their guide explained that it was of course, not usually used, as the ship ran itself, but the room still existed on the off chance that someone wished to control it manually anyway – though even then the ship would still be in control of itself – and also partly from tradition. The room itself was built to hold upward of twenty people in comfortable seating, the displays seemed surprisingly normal, but as one looked at them, one would notice a few things. Firstly they were three-dimensional. They somehow created depth on a flat surface, almost as though they were windows of some kind, and secondly, that the script covering some of them was far from normal, instead made up of myriad lines and circles. Strangely, the script on the displays was different from that which was not on them but on more mundane surfaces.

The room itself was surprisingly colourful, the walls decorated in abstract pastel murals, that in places suggested feathered wings, and at others, stars. The Emperor apologised and promised that he would return for Taurevanimë and Azura, and left for a moment to talk to Imperatrix Keral, meanwhile, Elash continued to talk to the Farseer, “Hardly mere gossip, anyway, dare I ask what you think of the ship?”

Taurevanimë smiled at Mephet'ran as he left and started to walk over the bridge and study everything, from look to touch and even sound and smell. She wanted to note how this advanced science felt and wondered herself how long it would take to reach such a level herself.

"Nice toy you have here, Asirnoth the Void Dragon", said Aelosia with a little snicker. "Looks more advanced than our outdated eldar tech, although we are working on different projects now. At least that is what my good for nothing Admirals told me", she said as she tried to depict a tired and bored expression on her features.

"Of course that today, military assets are a bit advanced for me. In my days, we fought with spears, swords and bows, not with the awesome and bothersome weapons of today's technology", she said, looking around trying to take a good look at the rest of the guests

Imperatrix Keral had been rather... surprised, if it was the right word, by the bridge. Kajali vessels had a tendency to border on the opulent as far as decorations were concerned, however, such vessels were usually quite... Imperial in appearance. One could likely say the decor bordered on tacky.

Not so, aboard this vessel. The Imperatrix had become somewhat enchanted by the murals, and, in a small way, by the displays.

"You have most interesting decor... Tell me, are all your vessels similar in this aspect?" She asked of the Emperor. "I regret to say... Kajali starships are somewhat... tackier."

Before Iyaana could respond her companion spoke up... 'The Vessel has been impressive, but... so much waste in a military design. I can understand the need for better living conditions for guests etc, but this Bridge, if you really felt the need for one, with such an impressive AI system in place, well it could exist on half the size.' He looked around pointing to various areas such as the need for comfort, 'For example if you want a 'Captain' for the vessel he could in theory run this Brisge on his own, the need for other chairs and stations is unneccersary.' With a sigh of resignation he went on, 'Lets say you also wanted room for visitors, I can expect no situation where you'd have more than five Observers in the day to day affairs of such a vessel, Three Quarters of the stations onn this bridge could be eliminated.'

He shock his head as he went on, 'Yet in all honesty I see no need for a Bridge at all, one assumes the AI's used here know what they are about better than any other, and I also assume that being the ship anything that does sufficent damage to knock them out will also knock the vessel out, making a backup of their functions a pointless excercise. No what I see here is a vessel designed by Civilian engineers, not by Military. So much attention to comfort rather than efficency.'

The Emperor smiled at Lirella, “I would hesitate to say all of them. You see, this task-force is the first group of vessels to be designed with the tastes and demands of living occupants in mind for many years,” he said, “however, the rest of the ships are much like this one,” he said, with a little grin, “Though I might add, much of the decoration can be altered at will…”

He reached out and gestured at the wall, and picking up on the general intent of the motion the ship altered the wall, now it became a scene of falling leaves and autumn, trees bordering the wall. It was as though it were a rather beautiful painting, it seemed to ever so slightly move, but subtly, at the corners of the eye, birds would shift position, squirrels leap, and leaves fall. Not quickly, at a practically glacial place, but it was there. Meanwhile, the found the tone of one of the Eldar guests rather amusing. It made its amusement known rather directly.

Shimmering as though it were water for a moment a holographic copy of the avatar of the ship appeared behind him, replying rather simply, its tone jocular, “What makes you think this room is permanent?” it said, in perfect LamKeighennar, “And of course, one can afford to be extravagant with space, given that the size of the ship is dictated with the drives, and without quite so many… cargo holds… And I have enough cubic meters of armour armour and more armour. Though you are correct, any damage enough to destroy me would obliterate the vessel.

“I feel that you, being as you are, a craftworld engineer, should also become familiar with the human phrase; ‘the pot calling the kettle black.’” It definitely felt Taurevanimë’s reaction was far more appropriate.

The Dragon smiled at Aelosia, “I could tell you all about such things, but I fear it would bore you no end dear lady,” he said, “indeed there is much to be said for a more, traditional approach to many things…”

Taurevanimë ignored the conversation between Tor and the ship's AI, it was clear they were having an argument over something that was of no interest to her, and she was to busy trying to learn about the bridge through her senses. She glanced over at Mephet'ran with a grin, knowing she would do something that she probably wasn't allowed to, but she did it anyway. She slowly walked over to the captain's chair on the bridge, trying to not show what her intentions were, trailing her hand over the panels and glancing at everyone. Whe she reached the chair she slowly and gracefully seated herself in it and wriggled a little to get comfortable. She looked down at her hands as she rubbed them over the upholstry to feel it's texture. The chair was very comfortable and she made a not to ask Mephet'ran for a chair just like it.

The hip was hardly obliged to obey anyone sitting in the seat, but it found her unknowing flirtatiousness amusing. Thus, as she sat down, wriggling slightly in the comfortable command throne, it decided to oblige her. Four holograms shimmered into view nearby, showing the ships’ status as a graphical diagram, including its appallingly high reactor output and currently inactive potential engine power. Another showed the ship’s manifest on a flat screen, several thousand troops, even more assorted drones, and the numerous guests, including their vehicles. A third hologram showed the surrounding space in three dimensions, green dots with names and details in quenya hovering around them, and finally, a second flat screen, displaying details of the ship’s armaments. Its smooth voice asked, “What do you desire… Captain?”

Taurevanimë blushed a little and looked a bit uncomfortable as all the systems came on and the ship adressed her. She wasn't planning on attracting attention but the ship spoke to her unlike a recording, and the fact the readings were in Quenya. She shifted a little in the chair and regained her composure and spoke to the ship in a graceful voice as always. "Greetings Arnstoan Riehn, how are you today?" She said. "I hope this party isn't to hard to keep running smoothly." She added.

“I am well, thank you Taurevanimë,” it said, “and no, this party is not really causing me any difficulties,” it added in Quenya, “I’m also updating some charts on your shuttle as well as observing the party.

“To be honest, it’s not as if this is difficult, much of the actual work is being done by others, I am… supervising. Care for a quick spin around the solar system?” it asked, enthusiastically, as if it were bored of being in one place so long.

She smiled at the ship's reply. She was rather liking this ship. "I would like that very much," She said. "And fly close by Nénar at a low velocity." She whispered to the ship. "I want to see it up close." She sat back in the chair and rubbed her hand over the armrest. "May I ask what exactly you're uploading to my shuttle? Oh yeah. Have you and my shuttle ever met?" She chuckled slightly at the thought.

“I am well, thank you Taurevanimë,” it said, “and no, this party is not really causing me any difficulties,” it added in Quenya, “I’m also updating some charts on your shuttle as well as observing the party.

“To be honest, it’s not as if this is difficult, much of the actual work is being done by others, I am… supervising. Care for a quick spin around the solar system?” it asked, enthusiastically, as if it were bored of being in one place so long.

The ship plotted a course for Uranus and sounded a little smug, “It should take us three hours forty one minutes to get there, at the mid-point of our journey approaching zero point eight six cee. Of course, observers at home will experience four hours fifty minutes. Obviously it will be the same back, so I should return here in eight hours, or I could swing by Earth and Mars if people would prefer to be dropped off there. Anyway, yes, I’m talking to it now, not that it’s all that smart. I’m uploading new maps of various nations holdings and so on to it…”

"Thank you." She said. She really liked this ship, it was polite and gave her gifts in the form of updated charts and a little trip. Though she really should get back to the rest of the party. "I enjoyed our little chat Arnstoan, but I probably should rejoin the others." She said and spun around to give the head of the chair a little kiss before standing up. "I hope to talk to you again some time." She said and walked over to Mephet, still rubbing her hand over the panels.