NationStates Jolt Archive

Lady Alexandra Lucius sat upon her throne within the Archenhiem Citadel, finishing the last of the invitations. In her pale hand, the pen darted across the page. Dozens of needles clicked in and out of the device, each leaving a single dot of ink on the paper, which together formed a spidery script. As she reached the end, the vampiress looked over her work,

You are hereby invited to attend the 26th centennial Imperial Exposition. This event shall mark the ascension of our imperial majesty, Emperor Draconis and his wife, Empress Aiwyn of the Resurgent Dream to the positions of Emperor and Empress of the Mists. The festivities are to include an exhibition of Akaton's technological achievements as well as the coronation ball. Courtly formality is requested, though all are welcome. The event is to begin on the sixth hour of the sixth day of the sixth month of the year of our lord 2953. Do try to arrive on time.

Sincerely,
Lady Alexandra Lucius

Satisfied with her work, Alexandra fed the invitation into a gilded message canister and placed it in a vacuum tube. With the tap of a button, the message was gone, sent on its way. Another tap of a button summoned a servant.
______________________________________________________________

A few minutes later, a servant arrived before the throne, unable to hide an involuntary shiver. The throne, like much of the citadel, was shrouded in impenetrable shadow on account of its vampiric resident. He bowed, hoping he was facing in the right direction.

"What is your bidding, M’lady?"

Alexandra rose from her throne, stepping into view. She smiled at the young servant. Noticing the way the servant stared at her fangs, she spoke quickly.

"Don't worry, if I had summoned you to feed, you wouldn't be talking any more. We will be receiving guests shortly, make this place a bit more welcoming."

The Archenhiem Imperial Airport was a port in a much more literal sense than the average airport. The structure resembled a great pillar thousands of feet high with sky ship docks protruding at regular intervals. At ground level, it was much more like a traditional airport. Runways stretched on for miles around the base of the main docking tower, heat rippling off the sun baked cement.

Satisfied that preparations were underway, Lady Alexandra had come to greet the guests as they arrived. She wore an elegant black dress, though her hands were gloved and her face veiled as a precaution against the sun. After a few minutes time, she turned to a passing security officer.

"When are our visitors scheduled to arrive?"

The officer bowed, responding.

"The should be arriving shortly, M'lady."

Aboard their Reptavian Transport, the ocean passed under them at hyper-sonic speeds. 30,000 feet in the atmosphere. Ambassador Sessra and Major Kkhaash looked out the port-hole windows, while a servitor brought their efreshments on a pair of silver trays.

Kkhaash took up a cigar, made in Argentina, and struck it lit with an electric lighter pulled from the pocket of his I.D.F. uniform. A few experimental puffs, and he seemed satisfied. "It has a fine flavor to it. I should talk to your father to see about importing them. I'm certain he would appreciate." A goblet of Dominion merlot is lifted up to his lipless mouth, and drank from.

Sessra tugs at the lapel on her simple black robes. The silver trim is fingered momentarily. "Perhaps. He has his tastes, as you have yours. If you can get ahold of him, he may be interested. I'll see if he'll be available after he brokers a deal with the Assembler's Unions on Titan in his manufacturing plants." Her gaze returns to the porthole, while her mind resumes its wanderings.

The voice of the pilot chimes into the passenger's cabin. "ETA 5 minutes until we reach Akaton airspace. Recommend strapping yourselves in." Cushioned harnesses are made available from a compartment of the sides of the gel-cushioned seats. The pair harness themselves down while the transport decelerates.

Landing protocols and approach vectors are requested and given. From outside the porthole windows, Sessra could see the turbo-thrust engines mounted on the thick wings tilt to allow V.T.O.L. The sound of landing pads lowering could be heard as a quiet humming while the whine of the engines grows louder, until the craft touches down.

http://www.5amfunnies.com/sakkra/space/Dship3.JPG

The rear doors open a few moments later, and the Ambassador and Major descend. Sessra blinks and looks all about her, bowing to the Lady in black. Major Kkhaash stood at attention and saluted.

"We are honored to be here, and delight in your fine climate. Ambassador Sessra and Major Kkhaash, as per the response to your invitation. Our papers are in order, if you would have them inspected." A small attache is produced by Sessra, while Kkhaash lifts up a pair of heavy bags, and slings them one over each shoulder.

"MagDrive online," the pilot of the shuttlecraft stated. They hasd disembarked at Earthbound Station above Weyr, then coased in the upper atmosphere until they were above Akatani territory.

"Do you really have to tell me every little thing?" the alchemiost next to her muttered groggily, shifting in the co-pilot seat.

"Protocol. This way you can't terminate me," the pilot replied, her gray eyes watching the

"I -can't- terminate you, but protocol is suspended," Alchemist Horatio Sun Li said imemdiately.

"Thanks," the pseudo-intelligence avatar responded from the seat next to him. She looked completely human, except that she did not need to eat. She could even sweat, since that was a simpler way of removing heat than heatsinks.

"Listen, would you like to go to this expo?" Li inqured.

"Well...ser.."

"Please don't 'ser' me. Do you want to go?"

"Of course,"

"Then....can you go without me?"

"Er..."

"If you don't wake me up, I'll take that as a yes," with that, the senior alchemist of The Tower fell asleep. Two years of building weapons for the Empire. He had watched six patterned Siege Whooper cannon shatter a planet in ten seconds two weeks ago, in order to seal a gap in Paradigm Prefecture's asteroid field defenses. How long would it be before the Empire would ask the Star Guard to use his creations against a populated world, he wondered.

The PI locked onto the target coordinates. Shields flared online, encasing the dropship in a chrysalis that flared brilliant white as the craft accelerated towards the skyport, nearly freefalling towards the planet surface.

At least they won't have me land on a runway, the PI, whose name was Akira, chuckled.

The Akira deccelerated rapidly and silently. The dropship hovered a meter off one of the skyship docks, magDrive humming lightly, hyul charred from countless reentries. The insignia of The Tower: the ouroborous encircling the mountsin and tower, shone in the sunlight. A hatch hissed open, pressures equalized, and two persons stepped off, their black cloaks rippling in the slight air distortion of the shuttlecraft.

Li blinked a few times, took in the scene. They were quite a distance above the ground, he knew that much.

Lady Alexandra Lucius,

It is with deepest regret that we must inform you of our inability to attend so auspicious a ceremony. Recent difficulties here have taken our time and personel and, as yet, have not met with resolution. We ask to reserve a date later at which we may attend you and congratulate you as is your right,

Sincerely,
Lady Lea Salvies,
First Knight of Queen Silverlief,
Colonel and second in command of elite force, The Black Dragons,
Dragonsreach.

Alexandra looked over the recently arrived group carefully, her gaze lingering briefly on the pair of reptilian creatures. With a wave of her hand, the windows blacked out, casting the room into shadow. In the dim light, she removed her veil, revealing a disturbingly pale face. She spoke with an unmistakably vampiric accent, her soft voice conveying a certain seductive charm.

"Hello ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Archenhiem City. I am Lady Alexandra Lucius, your host to the Imperial Exposition. Technology is the future, my friends. I offer you the future today. What you will see here will open your eyes and lay all your doubts to rest."

Lady Alexandra paused briefly, as though waiting for someone to arrive. A few minutes pass before a middle-aged human male in a dark blue suit walks into view from around a corner. He comes to a stop next to the vampiress, his hurried movements clearly indicating that he was late. Glaring at him menacingly before turning back to the newly arrived guests, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"I introduce to you the vice chancellor of Akaton Imperial Armaments, Dr. Hyronimus Smith. He will be conducting the military portion of our exposition. Now, I'm certain you didn't come here to trade diplomatic courtesies with me. Without further delay, let's get this show started."

The human spoke for the first time, his voice confidant and business like.

"The military portions of our demonstration will be conducted in the southern cement desert. However this area is not particularly conducive to habitation, human or otherwise. The Sky Navy has been kind enough to lend us a grav ship, the Hammer of Sorrow, to observe the demonstration. If you wish to attend this portion of the exposition, please follow me to dock 29A."

The flight of dragons swings low towards the airport. The riders dress in gleaming black and silver armor that fits their forms perfectly. As the great beasts set down upon the field, the sidhe men leap from their dragons. All of them scramble to be the first to help the lady from her mount. She pulls off her helm, tossing her hair like the golden sun. Smiling ever so faintly, she heads inside with a steady, even stride. The air around her seems to glow faintly as she smirks.

The other eleven fall back as the lady strides into the Archenhiem. She bows with simple elegance to Lady Alexandra and the vice-chancellor, though she makes no move to head for the military expedition. Instead, she simply regards the vampiress with a look of unrestrained curiosity.

The pair bow to the Lady, and follow Dr. Smith. Walking a few steps behind him. Sessra looks to Kkhaash with one of her eyes.

"Strange woman. Quite ..... efficient?"

"Militarily so."

"If we didn't come to exchange diplomatic courtesies and go through the paces, I wonder why I came." Sessra's dewlap extends slightly, showing a tinge of purple.

"Because you are a diplomatic officer, and this is a diplomatic event......after a fashion." Kkhaash procures one of his trademark cigars, and clamps it in his jaws. He doesn't bother lighting it at the moment, though.

As the sidhe woman entered, Alexandra turned to greet her. Smiling broadly, her fangs came into view as she spoke.

"Ah, so we have more arrivals, excellent. I am Lady Alexandra Lucius. It is a pleasure to have you attend our exposition. With whom do I have the honor of speaking."

Elsewhere, Dr. Smith led the way to the sky cruiser. Though he was used to working alongside non-humans, the presence of the uniquely reptilian delegates made him feel uncomfortable. He reminded himself that this was an official state event and that he was lucky to be employed, let alone running a technological demonstration. He was a notorious self-promoter, and his attempts at conversation turned out sounding more like an ad than a discussion.

"You might be interested to know that Akaton Imperial Arms is now officially the oldest company in continuous operation in this city. For over five centuries we have been the primary supplier of armored vehicles to the Imperial military, as well as any foreign armed forces willing to pay. Count yourselves lucky, today the Leviathan Battle Fortress is being tested on the firing range. I hardly want to spoil the surprise of seeing it yourselves, but it is truly magnificent."

The sidhe smiles a little. "Duchess Francine ni Eiluned. It is quite a pleasure to see your court lady. It is...beyond even the rumors I have heard." She smiles pleasantly.

The thin, near-lipless mouth of Major Kkhaash almost seems to grin. "Hrrrrr.....we will see this Battle Fortress of which you speak, and I will mentally compare it to our own technologies." He continues chomping on his unlit cigar.

Sessra levels a baleful eye at the Major for a moment. "Forgive the brusque manner of the good Major. His is a military mind, and they are always looking around, thumping their chest, so to speak." She closes one set of eyelids briefly as her head bows slightly.

"I, personally, love seeing the feats of other beings at work. Has Akaton Imperial Arms been a family-run organization? Or is it operated on the open market and subject to share-holder whims?"

Alexandra looks flattered at the Sidhe woman's remark, replying in a genuinely friendly tone.

"Thank you Duchess. In all honesty, though, I cannot take all the credit for this place. Though my court it may, it is part of an Imperium much larger than this one city."

She glances over her shoulder before turning back to the Duchess.

"I am most interested in what brings you here today. I do hope it wasn't to see the Battle Fortress, the other guests seem to have left already. If you want to join them, I can arrange a much faster means of transport. But first, I rarely get a chance to meet others aside from the usual courtiers, would you be kind enough to tell me something of yourself?"

Dr. Smith continued to lead the way towards the sky cruiser, the dim halls of the airport opening into a glass boarding tube. Through the transparent walls of the passage, the cruiser couldn't be missed, supported as it was on pillars of blinding flame and gravitic distortion. The armored bulk of the ship was wreathed in exhausts, extending hundreds of feet in both directions, with crackling energy pouring like burning rain from the barrels of vast weapons batteries along its sides.

The boarding tube ended flush with the hull, a battle scarred blast door marking the transition from airport to cruiser. Smith turned back to the delegates following him, smiling as he gestured towards the vessel behind him.

"Here we have the first portion of our exposition, a sky cruiser of the Imperial Navy. Perhaps not the most impressive part of the display, but one most certainly not to be missed. As for the corporation that employs me, it is neither publicly traded nor privately owned. At one point, Akaton Imperial Arms was a department of the government, only becoming independent to increase efficiency. A chancellor is appointed by the Emperor to run the business for a set period."

"I rule a wood deep in the dreaming from a seat of crystal caverns. This is my first trip to the mortal realm in five thousand years. I came because I heard of the new alliances being made by my brethren on earth and because this is where the war started, where Sebben was slain. While I am preparing for war, your Battle Cruiser would avail me nought. It would either fail to function in my lands or become a simple flying castle, that's if one could find a rath of sufficient size."

Li pulled up the collar of his alchemist blues (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/Weyr/char-mustang.jpg). His eyes watched the gravShip impassively. GravDrives were used in Weyr, once, until magDrives and reDrives came along to provide the same amount of motion for a fraction of the energy.

What's the core of your vessels, if I may ask?" Akira inquired, standing beside the alchemist.

"So Akaton Imperial Arms is an agency of the government, yes? If so, it must be able to turn a profit. It was once the same with Hreer Weaponry, if my corporate lore serves me. An agency of the Herpetological Empire, until the CEO decided it would increase his profits and productivity to go into the public sector. So far, his gamvle has served himself and his empolyees well. So far..." Sessra eyes the cruiser, following the outlines of the thing with her eyes for a while as she listens to Dr. Smith.

Major Kkhaash, however, seems unreadable as most Sakkrans are unless you know what to look for. His crest hangs 1/4 high and his nostrils emit a whiff sound. He eyeballs the cruiser, paying attention to the crackling energy leaking from the cannons, and the battle-scarred door. Shame that they did not have this vehicle better cleaned and maintained. Perhaps they're trying to impress with the illusion of active service? hrrrmmmm....

"Dr. Smith, perhaps you could explain why your powered-down weaponry is emitting energy from the barrels? Or are they kept in a constant stand-by state?"

Alexandra's welcoming expression quickly turned to one of intense curiosity. For a moment she seemed lost in thought, speaking to herself in a barely audible voice.

"So for once the rumors are true. A technological dead zone of that scale, most interesting."

Turning her attention back to the sidhe before her,

"If our devices of war cannot serve your purposes, perhaps you would prefer to retire to a more pleasant place than this docking facility? I admit that while I have heard legends of the Dreaming, I had never known it as anything but a story until just now. Sadly, I have seen little but this mortal world. Even death, it seems, hasn't separated me completely from this mundane world."

Dr. Smith tapped in an access code on the blast door. With a hiss of steam, the many-ton door retracted effortlessly. The inside of the ship shows a certain gothic influence found in almost all of things Akatani in origin. Lofty ceilings and dim lighting interact with ornately inlayed bulkheads to create the feeling of a warship of ages long past. Motioning the guests inside, Smith speaks with a quick efficiency.

"Now that we're inside, I can get to these questions. First, the power core of this particular ship is a thermic annihilation reactor. It uses a series of blast furnaces and atomic reaction chambers to generate intense heat, and thus, energy. Though not the most efficient power core and certainly not the cleanest, it serves our purposes well."

Dr. Smith catches his breath briefly before continuing.

"As for the weaponry, you are most observant. The energy leakage you doubtlessly noted was, in fact, not a sign of activated weaponry. What you saw was the energy bleed-off from the main reactor. The reactor puts out a constant power flow, able neither to be effectively regulated nor shut down. Since the weapons batteries already have high volume energy feeds, it seemed only logical to use them as a means for venting excess power and preventing critical reactor overloads."

Francine smiles ever so lightly. "I could take you there, you know. The dreaming can be accessed from anywhere by a woman with the proper magics, though most prefer the trods that might be found in the empire. Barring that, I would love to find somewhere more pleasant to converse."

Francine takes a step closer to Alexandra. As she walks, her feet lift off the ground. She floats elegantly over to the woman and alights once more. "I am at your disposal, lady, for the moment at least."

Kkhaash nods his head knowingly, and gives the approximation of a frown. "All that energy bleed-off would make this craft quite detectable. That would not be much of a selling point to many. And your reactor; if it never really shuts down, doesn't that make for a high maintanence cost? The wear on the core must be quite much."

Sessra looks about at the decor, and the scent of nutmeg emits from her personage. "This interior seems more fitting to a pleasure yacht than a war-ship. Is this to alleviate tension during periods of down-time for the crews?"

As the sidhe hovers over, Alexandra arches an eyebrow slightly.

"Well, as far as pleasant places go, I can think of a few. I have what passes for a palace. It is surpassed in this land only by the Imperial Palace. What would you say to a trip there? What if I told you it was only a few steps from this spot?"

Alexandra removed a glove, tapping on a wrist band transmitter.

On the sky cruiser, there was a muffled click of the docking tube uncoupling from the ship's exterior. The hum of the engines gains intensity as the ship began to pull away from the dock, the movement barely perceptible within its armored hull. Dr. Smith takes a deep breath before turning back to the Sakkran major.

"Major, detectability is not a concern for this vessel. It is neither made for stealth nor capable of it. A one thousand-foot ship of line held aloft by a blazing storm of toxic gasses can't really expect to remain hidden, now can it? As for the reactor, it is not a perfect system. It wastes a great deal of fuel, but then again, most anything can fuel it to some degree. Maintenance is not as much of a concern as one might think. Carbon wastes from the furnaces are dumped through the exhausts, preventing a buildup on the moving parts. The temperatures that build up in the reactors serves to annihilate most of the other macroscopic byproducts."

Turning next to Sessra, Smith launches into another explanation.

"The decor here has little to do with crew comfort. Our ships are as much a work of art as they are weapons of war. It is a belief amongst our ship builders that if a vessel is to remain for centuries, it should be a thing to be admired. This ship has served for one hundred and ninety five years. It was designed by a master artisan, unique in every way. But I digess, we should make our way to the bridge."

Francine nods. "That sounds quite lovely. I would be interested in how the people of Akaton feel about the war. When I last left, we had not heard if you were among the nations to respond to the summoning of the Council of Crystal or not."

Francine looks at the wrist device with wonder in her eyes. "Marvels never cease. That device of metal and leather is capable of producing an effect equivalent to genuine magic."

Alexandra is only half listening to Francine, silently counting seconds. After about half a minute, she looks back to the sidhe woman, smiling.

"I do hope you wouldn't think I summoned you to a technological exhibition without bringing a few marvels along. In about... ten seconds, you will witness one of our most fascinating technologies, an etheric portal. I guarantee you, it is no more miraculous than the magicks you have already shown me here."

Sure enough, a few seconds later, the process of opening a portal began. A point of light appeared in the air before the two of them, wreathed in swirling blue flame and electrical arcs. The vortex expanded, stabilizing into a portal.

"Sadly, all this technology seems to be of little use in your realm. Still, Akaton will do what it can for you in this war. We can discus this matter further in the comfort of my palace."

Alexandra steps through the portal, vanishing from sight.

Francine follows her through, silent for now.

The portal deposits Francine in the main hall of the Archenhiem Citadel. A few seconds pass before it collapses, the distinctive crack of displaced air marking its dissolution.

Though the hall is large in all aspects, it is disproportionately long, lending it the appearance of a great corridor. At one end, the throne is obscured by deep shadow. At the other, a pair of great steel doors is silhouetted against deep blue stained glass. The floor is a checkerboard of alternating black and white marble slabs, each over a meter to a side. Gargoyles stare down from towering columns, a vaulted ceiling rounding out the room's unique appearance. Though the palace hall seems unusually grim, it is rather fitting considering its resident. Lady Alexandra is standing a few feet away from the sidhe, smiling slightly.

"So, what do you think of our little technical marvel?"

Francine smiles lightly, looking around. "Machines that can imitate the effects of magic...it would be quite the labor saving device."

Francine looks around the hall quietly, seeming to take in her setting thoroughly, her eye sharp in such matters. "So shall we speak?"

Alexandra gestures to an open door leading off to the side of the hall.

"I promised you a nicer place to converse, this should do nicely. A servant will bring refreshments shortly."

Past the doors the room is octagonal in shape, medium in size. Across from the entrance, a fireplace is burning. On the other six walls, library bookcases stretch from floor to ceiling. An oriental rug covers the stone floor, ending a foot from the base of the book shelves. A pair of faded red armchairs and a small table round out the room's appearance, making it much more welcoming than the cold gothic hall.

Francine nods, moving to follow Alexandra. She looks around the new lounge, gliding towards the armchair. Francine sits elegantly, crossing her legs with simple grace.

A curious craft slips into place, releasing a single guest from a boarding ramp, while never quite touching the ground. It was clear that the pilot didn't want to spend any more time than nessecary around such a large vessel.

The disembarked individual was of average height for a human of American nationality, around 6'0". He was slim, but well-built under his black Gucci suit. A matching tie contrasted sharply with the white shirt beneath the jacket. Peter Zion, an interesting individual, cooly surveyed his drop-off point. Observant green eyes peered through an expensive pair of deeply-tinted RayBander sunglasses, not that he needed them indoors. His curly black hair, as usual, was done up in a rather messy ponytail tied at the nape of his neck.

After inquiring as to the location of the get-together he was supposed to attend, he started off down a corridor in the direction of voices. Zion was no diplomat, and even less of a socialite. General Garand was a paranoid old bastard, and liked to keep tabs on any potential shifts in power. Zion was there to observe & offer his congrajulations to the bride & groom, standard stuff that he'd rather have someone else do... He felt somewhat naked without his sidearm on his hip, but guns wheren't an accepted accessory to one's suit...

The quiet observer slid into the rear of the group, trying not to look like he'd arrived late...

Alexandra sat herself in a chair facing Francine,

"If I recall, our discussion had turned to the war. To answer your question, an envoy from Akaton is indeed planning to attend the Council of Crystal. It would be most impolite if we ignored the summons, particularly when the summons is from an ally. As for the people of Akaton, I really can't say. Not that it matters, but from what I heard, they tend to side with the government on this issue."

A servant enters, bowing to the noble women.

"What shall I bring you, M'ladies?"

Alexandra answers simply.

"I'll have my usual, of course."

The servant turns to Francine, awaiting a request.
__________________________________________________________

Dr. Smith noted silently the late arrival, waiting to see if the man wanted to introduce himself or simply follow along with the group. Smith led the way to the bridge, passing several patrols of armed guards marching down the halls with military precision. It was made obvious when they reached the entrance of the bridge by the ornate decoration. On the bridge itself, the captain sat at a raised command post, numerous levers and keypads flanking the throne-like chair. Various portholes and electric viewers made up the walls of the bridge, providing an excellent view of the surrounding area.

Francine ponders a little. "An ally...I would say you could count Terry as an ally. However, don't assume all of your arrangements with the Resurgent Dream will hold with him. We in the dreaming do not consider ourselves true subjects of the Empire. In ancient days, we were all one nation, subject to the high king of Arcadia. However, that time is long past. There are few portals from the dreaming to the waking world. You should be prepared to deal with a rather fractious lot. Cities and fiefdoms make up the average state in the dreaming and they are rather insistent on their status as states."

Francine turns towards the servant, smiling lightly. "I do believe I will have your freshest rainbow wine."

The servant pauses at Francine's request, a confused look on his face. After a few uncomfortable seconds, Alexandra glares at him threateningly. The servant turns to leave, bowing.

"Uh, of course M'lady."

Alexandra then turns back to Francine,

"If they are not quite an ally, then they are certainly not an enemy. The peoples of the Dreaming needn't fear Akaton. It is not our intent to turn them into subjects of the Empire, or for that matter, subjects of our Imperium. However, that is not to say that we have no interest in the fate of the Dreaming."

Zion listened... Already the topic had gone to politics, something he detested as a complete waste of time & valuable resources, but not that it mattered. He was here as an observer, he reminded himself, and observe he would.

'The Akaton have an intrest in the Dreamers... Could be anything from an alliance to all-out war... That'll probably be determined by the outcome of this political breeze-shooter. I'll have to pay close attention...'

Peter tapped the servant on the shoulder...

"Tequilla, Jose Quervo if you've got it..."

Francine smiles a little. "We welcome your interest, of course. It has been quite some time since friends from the Waking World have sat at the Council of Crystal. Most of the Council is likely to decide to aid forces loyal to Grand Duchess Beatrice."

Alexandra thought a moment before responding.

"Here, the ruling class will mostly support Grand Duchess Beatrice as well. A few, such as Count Yuri and his political allies, may not be willing support her. Fortunately, they are few in number and out of favor with the Emperor. Many of the nobles will support the Duchess simply because she is the only contender they know anything about."

Francine shakes her head a little. "You don't want to know High Lady Aoibhell, trust me. I am interested to know more of this Count Yuri. Is he inclined to support Aoibhell?"

Francine glances over at the sound of a voice. She spots Zion, arching a brow faintly. She turns an inquiring gaze to Alexandra. "It seems we have another guest, m'lady."

Enter Frothywats Bumblestew. "Oy tickay barkay watsa ow forza joggy-do, bot he dodn't watsa ow tree-fourza owago!!"

A pair of cargo planes, carrying several thousand liters of Na(aq), simultaneously crash into the vats of Cl(aq) just outside. An ionic compound is formed, NaCl, amidst the burning wreckage and destroyed bodies. This occurs because Na has a charge of +1 and Cl has a charge of -1.

"Oi! 'Makeses da pretzels exty-delish, it dows!"

Suddenly, the whine of a lone B-52 is heard above, followed by the whistling sound any avid cartoon watcher knows means something is falling very fast.

At Francine's comment, Alexandra looked towards the door, spotting Peter Zion for the first time. She smiles, speaking in a friendly tone.

"Come in, come in. Make yourself comfortable."

Looking back to Francine, her smile faded somewhat.

"Count Yuri is something of an oddity amongst the Akatani nobility. He is completely and unredeemable evil. Being one of the few nobles left from before the reign of his imperial majesty, Emperor Draconis, Yuri holds little respect for him. Along with a group of similar nobles, he seeks to undermine the Emperor's power. If this High Lady Aoibhell is as foul as you make her out to be, he will surely support her."

Immediately outside the room, the servant acknowledges Zion's request with a nod, hurrying off to acquire the drinks.

The somewhat non-political takes her hand, raising it to his mouth to plant a light kiss on it...

"Thanks, m'lady, I appreciate your hospitality. The name's Zion, Peter Zion..."

With his simple introduction concluded, he seats himself in an expensive-looking chair...

The reptilian pair look about at the command center, paying attention to the wall displays and the information displayed on them. The tympanum on the sides of their heads vibrate slightly as Major Kkhaash takes a deep breath. The air is slightly ionized in here. Definitely artificial viewers.

"Nice. Interesting the view afforded by the sensors. I would assume system upgrades are done at regular intervals, yes?"

Alexandra smiles faintly at the kiss. She might have blushed, had her face not been so devoid of color. For a moment, the vampiress flashes him a strangely predatory look.

"So nice to eat- err... meet you Mr. Zion."

A few minutes later, the servant returns with a rather overloaded tray in hand. Turning first to Zion, he fills a glass, setting the Jose Cuervo bottle upon a nearby table.

"Your tequila, sir."

The servant repeats a similar series of actions with the others, leaving Alexandra with a crystal goblet filled with a disturbingly red liquid, the bottle notably devoid of any identifiable marking. Francine also receives her requested rainbow wine, Alexandra commenting between sips of her drink.

"I am sorry if the wine may not to measure up to what you are used to, but good imports are notoriously difficult to come by here."
_______________________________________________________

Dr. Smith turns back to the Sakkran(sp?), gesturing to the viewers with pride.

"Though this ship may be quite old, and may look even older, its technology is most certainly not out of date. These viewers project the readings of a full etheric scope array. The scopes can detect the full light spectrum as well as some less tangible sorts of energy. Though they presently display the surrounding land, the screens can be individually set to show strategic maps, radar readouts, or just about any data useful to the command of a sky cruiser."

In the distance, about fifty miles off the port bow, the firing range begins to come into view. The area is a blasted hell of cement and ruinous buildings, craters marking the ground near the various targets. Most prominent, however, is the main attraction, the Leviathan class Battle Fortress.

It bears more resemblance to a battleship than a tank, being almost half the size of the average stadium. Its width is such that a third row of treads runs down the middle of the vehicle, directly in line with a massive forward mounted siege cannon. The front of the Battle Fortress sits at a sharp angle, nearly perpendicular to the ground in front of it. A command tower rises above the rest of the vehicle, its massive armor integrated seamlessly into the angles of the front plating. Along the sides, a line of cannon turrets sit above the track guards, flak guns sitting above the cannons. Smoke belches from the rear power plant exhausts, tall smoke stacks venting the fumes away from yet another gun battery mounted along the roof.

Smith turns back to the assembled delegates, smiling broadly.

"I present to you the Leviathan class Battle Fortress, the pinnacle of armored might."

((note: We may not be seeing Resurgent Dream for a while, they are having technical difficulties. Also, I will try to make a pic for the battle fortress as soon as I get the time.))

Zion nods his thanks to the servant, taking a short sip of the alcohol. He'd need his wits about him on this one, with the newfound vampiric factor...

'Eat me? Shoulda brought my forty cal(iber)... Enough on that, she won't eat me... I'm too pretty...'

Peter smiled outwardly at his mental joke. His callsign of 'Posterboy' was well earned. His movie-star features adorned every recruitment poster the private military corporation that employed him posted in veterans' hospitals, military mess-halls, and on the internet...

Another reason he thought it wasn't a good idea for his deployment in the first place... Then again, Dekker was too reserved, and Jack just the opposite of his older twin: Cocky & loud... He decided, in hindsight, that it was a good idea he'd been sent instead of the usual minglers...

"The feeling is mutual, Madame Alexandra..."

Alexandra's smile broadens, her fangs coming into view once again.

"Glad to hear that Mr. Zion. The Duchess and I were just discussing a civil war, which is presently taking place in her lands. Most unfortunate, don't you think?"

He nods...

"Indeed. Nobody wins a civil war..."

Zion pauses for a moment to take another sip of his beverage...

"What where the circumstances?"

Alexandra sighs slightly,

"As far as I know, the war is the result of the murder of a Grand Duke. There is a power struggle over who shall replace him. If you want the details, you'll have to ask Duchess Francine, warfare isn't really my specialty."

Francine shrugs faintly. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, boy."

Sessra and kkhaash look at the shape of the leviathan before them as they approach. Clucking sounds could be heard warbling from both their throats as Sessra's dewlap expands outwards. "That thing is big. It must be horrific to maintain and crew. I assume you have built-in redundancy and automated services on-board?"

Khaash traces his eyes over the lines of the command tower and the flak cannon emplacements, as well as the smoke-stacks. "Yes, it is big. The armor must be quite sufficient, as it would definitely be the first target in a conflict. Three tracks....an interesting design." His crest raises half-high as a nictitating membrane slides over his eyes.

Dr. Smith stares perhaps too long at the reptilian guest's dewlap, replying.

"The Leviathan is a logistical nightmare, consuming almost a million credits worth of fuel per day. It's ammunition stores alone weigh more than two hundred tons. It has a crew of over three hundred, but once the bugs have been worked out of the siege cannon's auto loader mechanism, the crew can be reduced by a hundred."

He calls up a diagram on a nearby holographic display.

"This armor is the thickest we have ever put on a land vehicle. The front plating is made up of twelve inches of adamantium reinforced steel. The sides and top are given eight inches of the same material. The rear has six inches of more mundane hardened steel. A void shield system is being experimented with, but shows little promise."

The display's image changes to a strategic map.

"The Imperial Army plans to use this vehicle as a forward command center for extended ground campaigns. Its siege cannon will provide fire support for advancing armored divisions, the Fortress itself remaining just behind the front line. Though the side and roof mounted gun emplacements may look impressive, they are intended for defensive purposes only. In particularly large scale conflicts, they may be used to spearhead assaults of major cities, smashing their way in and providing a base of operations to control the area."

Sessra looks at the smoke-belching monstrosity and sniffs the air. "Oh, by the Pantheon." She uses her fingers to cover the nostril holes on the top of her head. "Such a device must cause horrible environmental damage! My apologies, Dr. Smith. My sense of smell may be a bit too keen."

Khaash, however, seems unmoved. He does the numbers in his head, and finds them to be quite interesting. "If these vehicles are meant to be used as command stations, and the cost to run them per day is so high, then a lengthy engagement may bankrupt your lands should more than a few of these be deployed at a time. Hrrrmmm...."

He scratches some small leathery tendrils dropping from his chin. "I used to question why the Emperor was so keen on having the bulk of our military forces convert to organic technologies. Perhaps the reduced cost of maintanence has a hand in it. But another question... these vehicles must have an awesome weight to them. If they commit to urban assault, what keeps them from sinking into the pavement? Most conventional streets could not support such a thing."

Dr. Smith sighed, collecting his thoughts to reply. It seemed to him that Sessra had a point of view that he completely lacked.

"To be honest, I wouldn't know what it does to the environment."
He gestures to the barren wastes displayed on the viewers, heat radiating off the endless desert of cement and steel.
"All of Akaton is like this now. The environment suffered a complete collapse centuries ago. However, I am sorry for the inconvenience to yourself."
At this, he turns to the captain with a disapproving look.
"The vessels of the Imperial Navy are supposed to have state-of-the-art electrostatic filters, maintained regularly. They must be malfunctioning."

He turned back to Khaash, running the numbers in his head. He shrugs.

"Well, the cost of operating a Battle Fortress is little when compared to the cost of the full Imperial Army. Besides, with only one per armored division, there will never be many in use at any given time."

The Sakkran's next question fell more within Smith's field of knowledge, the response coming quickly.

"The mass of this vehicle is in the range of thousands of tons, I'd have to check the charts for an exact measure. The weight has proven to be a problem. The third track in the center was not on the original prototype, but as you so expertly pointed out, it destroyed the roads it crossed. We have found that it causes much less damage to paved surfaces if its speed it kept to about ten miles per hour. In emergencies we have gotten twenty from it, but any more risks ground liquefaction from the sheering force against the layers of soil or cement."

Francine sips her drink, waiting for Alexandra to continue.

After a length pause and several sips of her crimson beverage, Alexandra began once more.

"The coronation ball of our Emperor and Empress will be held this evening, an event which will mark the unification of the Mists. I am sure that you would like a chance to relax before the ceremony begins. Unless you wish to further this talk of war, the servant can show you to your rooms."

Francine nods ever so faintly. "I do believe that would be advisable." Finishing her drink, Francine stands, looking to the servant. Briefly, she turns back and curtsies to Alexandra. "By your leave." She turns around in a smooth, fluid motion. "Please show me to my rooms."

Francine strides forward to follow the servant. Her hands remained folded delicately in front of her lap and her countenance remains calm and aloof. "I shall see you later, Your Ladyship."

Alexandra smiles at Francine.

"I look forward to seeing you at tonight's ceremony, Duchess."

The servant motions for the sidhe to follow, remaining respectfully silent. He leads the way back into the gothic throne room and down a long side hall. It extends as far as can be seen, disappearing into a point of light in the distance. Every fifty feet, a crystal light fixture illuminates grand doors. After a few minutes, the servant pauses before a set of mahogany double doors. The servant opens the door and turns to the Duchess.

"Your room, m'Lady."

Inside, the room is extremely spacious. It is decorated in the style of the seventeenth century, oriental rugs covering every inch of the floor, and ornate furniture scattered about. In all, the "room" is a collection of four equally impressive chambers, roughly the size of a small house.

Francine follows the servant in silence, settling into her room until the ceremony.

Francine shrugs faintly. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, boy."

Zion's expression & tone adopt that of a playful challenge...

"Try me. I've fought for some pretty odd things in my lifetime..."

Money, he reflected, was not as odd as what he was about to hear, but it would make for interesting conversation...

Sessra looks at the view-screen with eyes wide as saucers. "Such damage.....but even this can be fixed, given time." She turns to Dr. Smith, and her eyes resume their normal size. "Our GeoForm Engineers have developed something that aids us in geoforming hostile planetary environs. It is slow, but it works. Perhaps our engineers could talk with yours, and a way to give your people some manner of green-space can be arranged?"

Khaash casts one eye on Sessra. Such talk is not tangent to why we are here. Hrrrmmm...but diplos will be diplos. The other eye stays on the leviathan. "Dr. Smith, have you considered the possibilities of MagLev? If this vehicle is to be used in urban assault and such, most urban environs have ferrous material embedded into their grids."

His clawed finger points to the fore, aft and center points of the chassis of the leviathan. "MagLev generators can be placed at these strategic locales to lessen the effect of the weight of the vehicle on the ground. You would require many generators and a power source with greater output to allow it to truly levitate off the ground, but the number I indicated would be sufficient to lessen the weight by one-quarter, give or take. Enough to give you a better rate of speed for this thing?"

Dr. Smith looked with interest at the Sakkran's plan.

"Hmm, mag lev systems could be most useful. I will have to get you in touch with the project leader. As for green space, there would be little point. Most people in Akaton have never even seen a tree. Quite literally, they wouldn't know what a tree was."
_________________________________________________________________

Alexandra smiled faintly.

"Considering that you are the only human in this room, I wouldn't doubt it. As for the war, perhaps the Duchess will tell you more at this evening's celebration."

"Why not just mount a repulse drive and be done wth it?" Akira asked, jabbing Alchemist li in the side. He appeared to have dozed off while standing. "It'd work everywhere, and the power draw wouldn't be much more than with a magLev."

Alexandra smiled faintly.

"Considering that you are the only human in this room, I wouldn't doubt it. As for the war, perhaps the Duchess will tell you more at this evening's celebration."

Zion nods...

"I'll be sure not to ask unless she speaks of it first. I'd rather not bring up something like that at a celebration, it tends to kill the mood..."

He'd also rather not mix buisness & pleasure. Where there was war, there was opportunity. Opportunity to make money, to influence the course of political events, to forge alliances. It seems the angry old bastard was right after all... this might prove profitable after all...

Dr. Smith considers for a moment.

"That would be excellent, assuming we could purchase such a device from your military. The smallest anti-grav device we have is half the size of the entire battle fortress."
_________________________________________________________________

Alexandra begins to stand, finishing her drink.

"Ah yes, war has a way of doing that. Now, I will take my leave. I will expect to see you at tonight's coronation ball."

She departs, flashing a fang filled smile at Zion before slinking off into the shadows.

Dr. Smith considers for a moment.

"That would be excellent, assuming we could purchase such a device from your military. The smallest anti-grav device we have is half the size of the entire battle fortress."
_________________________________________________________________

Alexandra begins to stand, finishing her drink.

"Ah yes, war has a way of doing that. Now, I will take my leave. I will expect to see you at tonight's coronation ball."

She departs, flashing a fang filled smile at Zion before slinking off into the shadows.

The moive-star-esque visage of Peter Zion flashes a quick smile of his own in return...

"I'll be there..."

Dr. Smith considers for a moment.

"That would be excellent, assuming we could purchase such a device from your military. The smallest anti-grav device we have is half the size of the entire battle fortress."

"It won't be nearly that large. Maybe the size of a minibus, and that's if you want a high efficiency rating," responded Akira. "Maybe even combine it with your standard propulsion. Paradox Inc. would have to take a look at the design, but it should be possible."

((I have finally drawn a pic for the Battle Fortress. It is here. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/DraconisX13/LeviathanBattleFortress.bmp ))

Dr. Smith checked his watch, turning back to the guests.

"The demonstration is about to begin. Please direct your attention to the primary viewer screen."

Right on time, the Battle Fortress began its testing. The smokestacks belched a black cloud as the three rows of tracks ground forwards. It turned to face a large fortified structure a few miles away, cracking the pavement it passed over. Inside the vehicle, a work crew of fifty hoisted an 800mm shell into the firing chamber of the siege cannon. A few seconds later, the massive weapon fired, producing a deafening roar.

The shell tore through the air, passing through the target's walls and impacting into the ground some fifty meters past the building. The explosion was cataclysmic, sending a plume of flame and rubble hundreds of feet into the air. As the shockwave struck the building, it was reduced to dust, leaving only a twisted metal skeleton of structural beams. As the smoke cleared, the level of destruction at the impact site became clear. The cement of the ground was reduced to molten slag, the crater was forty feet deep and one hundred wide.
_________________________________________________________________

I'm afraid the coronation ball will have to wait until the tests are over, giving the Sakkrans and Weyrians a chance to attend.

Khaash seems to stiffen slightly at the mention of the anti-grav engine. "We have had problems with the anti-grav system, which we were able to overcome at no small cost. There is the maintanence issue, as well as having support staff and engineers able to handle the unique problems that system can have. When one of those grav-engines blows......" His hands separate, then close together slowly until the palms touch with a clapping sound. "Fwoompf."

He then relaxes a bit, and looks at the smokey pit. "But this is a good result." Sessra lets out a laugh. "Silly MilSci person. Those problems can be worked out if one has the patience. Now I presume this leviathan would be used only in a full-scale engagement, yes? I'd hate to see that thing wipe out a whole neighborhood full of civilians."

At the mention of civilian casualties, Dr. Smith's expression changed to one of self-conscious discomfort. His response was quick and to the point.

"I'd hate to see that as well, but not all generals share this concern."

He turned away for a moment, collecting a small stack of data disks from a nearby computer console. He handed one to each of the guests.

"These disks contain a record of today's weapons test, along with technical specifications for the Leviathan. Feel free to keep this as a gift of Akaton Imperial Arms. The cruiser will be remaining in this area for another twenty minutes while the crew collects final telemetry data."

Kkaash looks at the datadisk, and feels it with his fingers. Sessra gives it a cursory examination and then pockets it in her blouse. "Yes, most Generals don't take into account the civilian factor. An unfortunate evil." He pockets the disk into his jacket.

"This data will be most interesting to analyze. There has been merit to viewing your creation in use. Quite an engineering feat, indeed." He looks at the screens, and seems to be humming a soft tune to himself.

Sessra shakes her head a bit. "I'll speak with my father, and also my mentor at the Diplo Corps. Maybe we can find some solution that will allow everyone involved to rest a bit easier?"

The sky ship slowly begins to turn from the testing sight, tests concluded and data transmitted. However, it did not head for the Sky Port from which it had departed. Rather, it was cruising towards the city itself. After some time flying over the empty wastelands separating the test sights from populated areas, it began to move amongst the towering gothic spires of Archenhiem City. The towers passing along the ship's sides became steadily taller and more grand in style the further into the city the vessel traveled. Dramatically, and without warning, the sky ship came into an open space, marking the location of the Archenhiem Citadel. It was one of the few places in Akaton where one could actually see blue sky from the ground. A few narrow towers stretched skyward from the palace below, docking clamps identifying them as the cruiser's destination.

Dr. Smith looked to his guests, sighing somewhat.

"We have arrived at the Archenhiem Citadel, our destination. This concludes the military demonstration for today. A servant will show you to your rooms. It seems you still have an hour before the corronation ceremony begins. It has been a pleasure meeting with all of you."

Both the Weyrians and Sakkrans will find a draft of a trade agreement detailing the acquisition of anti-grav devices and maglev drives waiting in their rooms.

OOC: Still here.

The ballroom of the Archenhiem Citadel was impressive. It was different in style than the rest of the structure, less gothic, more like a European palace of the 1700's. Almost every surface was either gilded or ornately decorated. The room was well lit by chandeliers, but noticeably lacked any exterior windows, a consideration for the palace's vampiric resident. A small orchestra was arrayed along one side of the room, playing some pleasant but utterly unidentifiable classical music. As the time of the coronation ball approached, the hall steadily filled with various nobles and high-ranking fleet admirals, the typical crowd for any such event.

Lady Alexandra Lucius arrived in her typical style, slinking into the ballroom with the sort of sinister grace that came naturally to a vampire. She wore a long dress of black silk, that while fitting her attractive form closely, was otherwise very formal. She was, after all, the hostess of the grandest coronation in Imperial history. To this end, she lingered near the entrance, welcoming newly arrived guests and conversing with the few who she actually knew.

Emperor Draconis and his wife Aiwyn would be arriving shortly, and with them, the ceremony would begin. Until that time, servants moved about the room, distributing food and drink as requested.
_________________________________________________________________

((OOC: At this point, the thread is essentially open for new characters, as just about anyone of importance would be invited to attend the coronation.))

Major Khaash looks at the draft briefly, and hands it over to Sessra. "This is more your department than mine." She takes the papers and gives them a twice-over. "Hrrr...my sire will be pleased at this development. But there is time enough for that later. I'll scan these papers into my datapad and we can be about our business."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

They make their appearance at the ballroom, the Major in his Class A military togs; dark grey shirt and waist-wrap with blue trim and a zippered jacket over the shirt. Sessra wears her elbow-length leather gloves, and a soft, full black leather dress with silver trim on the sides. A scaled head-dress of silver is worn over her head. Both where their translator collars around their necks.

Sessra takes a glass of some beverage from one of the passing servants, and the Major follows suit while he looks about. "Quite a spread they have. Vaulted ceilings and all."

"

Zion made something of a quiet entrance, slipping in through the crowd.
His outfit was the typical USMC Class 'A' he'd kept from his time in the Corps, sporting two Purple Hearts & his Force Recon merits. The words 'SCOUT SNIPER' where clearly printed under the Recon logo...

For the time being, Alexandra had not yet noticed Zion's arrival. This was not the case with the Sakkrans. Being the only reptilian guests present, they were not hard to spot. She moved through the crowd, walking just behind the Sakkrans and listening carefully. At the mention of the quality of the ballroom, she stepped forwards next to Sessra.

"Oh, thank you. I try to keep this old palace presentable. I had been so hoping to speak with you this evening."

She paused, looking towards the door. From the commotion of the crowd, it sounded as though the Emperor was arriving.

"However, it seems that my duties as hostess conspire to delay that conversation until later."

Alexandra slipped away in the general direction of the door. Her assumption was indeed correct. Emperor Phaeton Draconis was accompanied by his recently married wife Aiwyn ni Gwydion of the Resurgent Dream. He wore a long flowing trench coat of woven shadow over a dark gray naval officer's uniform. His hair was combed back, revealing elegantly pointed ears and icy blue eyes.

Aiwyn walked in on her husband's arm, smiling brightly. She wore a gossamer gown of verdent green, one of only ten high royal gowns made by one hundred girls dreaming for one hundred years in the springtime of the world. Her shimmering red hair fell in rolling waved over the shining pearl of her bare shoulders. Her face shined with a radiant beauty of preternatural proportions and her long ears tapered to very delicate points. The green fabric of her gown seemed to dance and blow as if in a fresh spring wind, although there was no wind. She shone with a light golden light as she walked, her arm linked in her husband's.

Akira scanned the documents provided quickly, not so much because of any haste but because there wasn't much sense in doing it slowly. A small section of her thaumaturgic spirit-construct flared for a moment. A copy of the document got filed away, to be processed by her background analytical assemblies while she waited for the coronation, or whenver she didn't feel like thinking particularly hard.

--------------------------

The two Weyreans made their appearance at the ballroom in essentially the same dress they had shown up in for the demonstration. Li was abscently wondering why he wsn't told this would be a formal event. Since he would have still worn his alchemist blues, the lack of information didn't matter per se, but the Grand Alchemist still liked to be informed of such things. Akira's all-concealing black cloak shifted slightly about her, the silver insignia of The Tower shimmering on its breast. Basic transmutation wasn't restricted to organics, after all.

As Draconis walked arm in arm with his wife down the center aisle of the room, their approach was heralded by the flashes of dozens of media photographers. The bright lights left no illumination on the Emperor’s coat of shadows. Those nearer to Draconis found their flashbulbs deadened, the light seemingly sucked from them at his passing. He stood in sharp contrast to Aiwyn's glowing radiance, exaggerating both the shadow and the light.

At the far end of the hall, upon a slightly raised dais, sat two ornate thrones of gold. In front of the thrones was a marble pedestal, on which sat two crowns, not large gaudy crowns, but rather simple mithril circlets, each with a single inset emerald. Before this dais, Alexandra waited to welcome Akaton's Emperor and Empress. The vampiress bowed deeply, holding the bow for some time before rising to address the royals.

"Your Imperial Majesties, we are honored by your presence."

Draconis bows his head momentarily to Alexandra.

"Thank you for your hospitality, m'Lady."

She steps to the side and Draconis continues down the aisle with Aiwyn. As they approach the dais at the end of the hall, he whispers in her ear.

"The Akatoni coronation ceremony is simple. We are expected to acknowledge our acceptance of the titles of Emperor and Empress of the Mists. Since there are no higher ranking nobles, we will crown each other. Other than that, it's up to you whether of not you want to make a speech."

Upon reaching the dais, Draconis turned to face the assembled crowd. When he spoke, his voice could be heard clearly by all, though no microphone was evident.

"May this day be forever remembered as a glorious day, the day Akaton and The Resurgent Dream are united under the banner of the Empire of Mists."

Draconis lifted one of the crowns from the pedestal and placed it gently on Aiwyn's head.

"I crown you Empress of the Mists."

Aiwyn smiled a little uncomfortably, accepting the crown as her eyes roamed the seemingly passive crowd. Taking the other crown, she placed it on Draconis's head. "I crown you Emperor of Mists." She sat elegantly in her throne, crossing her legs.

That was fast, Akira thought. Almost as fast as the Ascension. The Ascension was a fancy name for when a potential High King grabbed the incredibly old and completely useless staff suspended in the oldest section of The Tower of kings and didn't get reduced to a small pile of dust, ash, and other things. Li appeared to have dozed off again -- he was looking in the direction of the thrones with a too-normal appearance of mild interest.

Draconis seated himself on his throne, moving with all the regal grace of one quite used to thrones and ceremonies. He smiled faintly, not so much as to seem silly, but enough to hopefully help reassure Aiwyn.

"See, that wasn't so bad. A benefit of this being the first time such a coronation has been performed. No ancient traditions dictating a long, drawn out ceremony. Now for the fun part, the reception."

The groups of commoners and photographers amongst the crowd slowly disperse, leaving only those who had actually been invited to attend. A few minutes pass before the servants returned with their trays of refreshments and the small orchestra started up again, this time playing a more traditional mix of Mozart and Beethoven. Overhead, the chandeliers dim slightly, transforming the drafty open space of the hall into a pleasantly inviting place.

Lady Alexandra took a glass of Champaign from a passing servant, and whilst sipping it, made her way towards the Weyrians. She hadn't seen Li moving for some time and she wanted to make sure the alchemist hadn't perished during the coronation ceremony. As it was, that sort of thing was disturbingly common in Alexandra's palace, and her concern stemmed more from a desire to maintain her reputation than anything else.

"Well, that was a very nice coronation ceremony." Sessra sipped at her glass as delicately as one with no lips could. The Major, however, took himself a good-sized goblet of merlot. He attached a small fluting on the lip of it to allow him to frink more easily.

"As far as coronation ceremonies go, it was quite adequate. Less pomp, more circumstance. I like it." His eyes swiveled about, making note of faces and beings about.

Sessra also looked around a bit. "See anyone to engage in conversation with? Someone friendly looking?"

Kkaash leveled hie eye on hers. "You are asking the wrong reptile. I'm gauging threat possibilities."

Aiwyn nodded. "It was just rather different from the one I was raised to expect. Though I'm sure mother will approve when she gets back. Would you like to come see her again when it happens? I'm quite sure there will be a ball."

Aiwyn allowed her eyes to wander the room. The Weyreans, she knew of. The Sakkrans, she recognized from Agwene's description of encountering them at Nathicana's coronation. The others were mostly from nations with which she had had little prior contact.

After a long moment of thought, Aiwyn smiled broadly. "We would wish to speak with our esteemed guests from abroad." She raised one hand in a polite gesture of invitation.

A small group of three approached the throne. Their skin was the color of warm coffee, and all had long hair braided neatly into small black braids. Intricately colored beads were woven within, creating small spots of color which caught the light of the chandeliers. The woman in front was human, about five seven, slender and regal in bearing. Her almond shaped black eyes were fixed unflinchingly on the thrones. When the group was closer, the lead woman dropped into an elegant curtsey, the folds of her long deep blue and silver robes billowing around her.
"Your Highnesses, as hereditary leader of Mariskale, let me be the first to congratulate you on your coronation. May Eternal Sunshine and Fair Winds befall thee and thy people." the woman intoned,her voice resonant and lyrical. "I am Prime Minister Anala." Anala's eyes remained downcast, waiting for the Empress or Emporer to bid her to rise. Mariskalean ettiquette was very strict on that point.

She turned smoothly,getting a drink; two hundred kilograms of mithril-steel framework and biothaumaturgic construction descended on Li's toes. "Try and keep up appearances," she muttered quietly in Common Weyrik as the alchemist quickly came awake. "Milady, she bowed to Alexandra, Li following suit just seconds later.

*bump*

Aiwyn smiled gently to Anala. "Rise, please. We are unfamilar with the people of Mariskale, Madame Prime Minister. Perhaps you might tell us something of your people?"

Anala rose as gracefully as she had fallen, her long black braids clinking musically against each other.
"We are new to the international community, your highness, a small and humble nation. Mariskale is a mecca for artisans, we are expert carvers, potters, weavers, smiths. Most of all, though, we are a nation of ancient shipwrights. Watergoing vessels only I am afraid, the wood that we work does not fare well in the upper atmosphere. We have brought a gift, to commemorate this auspicious occasion. Perhaps it can better describe my people's skill."
The Prime Minister motioned for her attendants, who brought forward a large object draped in a light blue cloth. It was approximately two feet in height and square at the base.
"Emporer, Empress," Anala spoke, "In keeping with Marisaklean tradition let me be the honored first to present thee with a gift of goodwill between our two cultures." The cloth was pulled away dramatically to reveal a statue made of dark, lustrous wood. It was a dolphin, leaping above carved waves. Both the creature and the water were exquistily carved, not only to capture physical likeness, but the kinetic motion of the leap and the crest of the waves. The statue looked alive. The base was laid with glittering colored crystals, arranged in an intricate mosaic of Mariskalean symbols for prosperity and peace. Anala herself had carved the blessing into the bottom of the statue. she recited it now,
"May you rise above adversity, and swim in calm seas."

Aiwyn paused a long moment, at least a minute, taking in the sight of the statue. In total silence, she rose from her throne and walked slowly towards the statue, walking around it. Reaching down, Aiwyn placed both of her delicate, white hands atop the wood statue. As she did so, the Empress seemed to glow with a radiant light beyond the normal shine of the sidhe. Aiwyn breathed in deeply, her smile widening.

Aiwyn glided back towards her throne, sitting once more. She looked down upon Anala with a broad grin. "We do hope that we can be good friends with the people of Mariskale."

Anala grinned back, glad to see that she had made a friend among all these new strangers. Her first international appearence might not be such a failure after all. She bowed her head, with perferct Mariskalean humility and said warmly, "That would be my most supreme wish as well, your highness. Friends are not many in these troubled days."

Aiwyn nodded. "Indeed, but you have made one. After the celebration, we shall speak of more substantive matters. We shall also put you in contact with our royal sister of the Resurgent Dream, our homeland. We believe there is much to gain from such precious devotion to art and beauty, Madame Prime Minister."

Aiwyn looked over to Draconis a moment before returning her gaze to Anala. "Thank you for your gift and your good wishes." With a nod, she moved her gaze back to the crowd.

Anala curtseyed again and drew away from the Empress, knowing a friendly dismissal when she heard it. Still, she was almost giddy with excitement. Her first diplomatic mission and she had already found a new friend, perhaps even an ally and trading partner. Having the good favor of the Empress of Mists had to count for something. Anala was aware of the eyes that were watching her now, judging her movements, weighing their options. Her celebrity was instant, and that could only mean good thiings. While her attendents hurried off to see to the statue, Anala gazed around the room, wondering who would approach her now.

Alexandra stifled a giggle upon realizing the object of her concern was only sleeping. She nodded respectfully to both Li and Akira, her gaze lingering curiously on the later for several seconds.
"Greetings again, I am glad you could attend. I trust the demonstration went as expected."

Emperor Draconis gazed admiringly at the statue, smiling.
"Truly a thing of beauty, isn't it? You have been Empress for but a few minutes and already you have made a new friend. A good sign indeed."

Aiwyn nodded. "Friendship is more beneficial to all concerned than other methods of relating to our fellow people throughout the world. Of course, it is hardly an approach that works with all the powers of this universe." She frowned ever so slightly as she glanced off, lost in time.

Anala tapped the expensive ballroom floor lightly with her foot. Hidden Underneath the voluminous folds of her gown, the gesture went unnoticed by most. In her country, such a celebration would be cause for dancing, she wondered if even here, in such a strange new world, if people liked to dance. If the opportunity presented itself, the reptilian delegation from... Sakkra, that was the name! a delegate from Sakkra might make an interesting partner.

Alexandra stifled a giggle upon realizing the object of her concern was only sleeping. She nodded respectfully to both Li and Akira, her gaze lingering curiously on the later for several seconds.
"Greetings again, I am glad you could attend. I trust the demonstration went as expected."

"It was...big," Akira said finally, apparently missing the other's show of interest. "We've never needed to make military engines on that scale; it seems a bit impractical. It's a beautiful palace."

As the evening progressed, the orchestra switched to playing music more suitable for dancing, and a few couples began waltzing about the ballroom floor. Though the guests numbered in the hundreds, the room was large enough so as not to seem crowded. The atmosphere was one of sedate celebration, neither overly formal nor wild and crazy.

("It was...big," Akira said finally, apparently missing the other's show of interest. "We've never needed to make military engines on that scale; it seems a bit impractical. It's a beautiful palace.")

Alexandra smiled at the comment, a rather disturbing image given her fangs.

"Thank you. Like I have said before, I try to keep my palace presentable. As for the vehicle, I agree that it is unnecessarily large. While I won't pretend to be a master of military tactics, from what I've heard it is more a device of intimidation than a practical weapon. While a traditional armored division could do its job well enough, it is truly impressive to see that much power focused into a single vehicle."

"True" Akira nodded. "Maybe that's why we maintain the old Dreadnaughts, and the Towers," both sounded as though they deserved to be written with capitals. "Way too big for the times, but everyone at least has a second thought when seeing the Storm translate into the system with cannon blazing. Still," she smiled sheepishly, "I'm rambling. CS systems shouldn't ramble."

(Aiwyn nodded. "Friendship is more beneficial to all concerned than other methods of relating to our fellow people throughout the world. Of course, it is hardly an approach that works with all the powers of this universe." She frowned ever so slightly as she glanced off, lost in time.)

Draconis smiled faintly.
"So true. If only more of the world saw things that way."

He paused a moment. The hum of gravitic engines could just barely be heard over the music as a ship of the Imperial Navy cruised a few kilometers above the palace.
"The reminders that things are not that way are all too frequent."
_________________________________________________________________

("True" Akira nodded. "Maybe that's why we maintain the old Dreadnoughts, and the Towers," both sounded as though they deserved to be written with capitals. "Way too big for the times, but everyone at least has a second thought when seeing the Storm translate into the system with cannon blazing. Still," she smiled sheepishly, "I'm rambling. CS systems shouldn't ramble.")

Alexandra's fang filled smile was replaced by a look of intense curiosity. She enjoyed all things foreign, and aside from the vampiric consumption of a mortal creature's blood, there were few things she enjoyed more than learning of foreign technologies.
"CS system? You seem nothing like the construct beings I have seen."

"Oh, look. They're dancing!" Sessra looked at Kkaash with one eye, searching for a response.

The Major chuffed from his nostrils. "I was not aware the Emperor here was seeking a new mate. But to do this in sight of the general populace and the delegates at large......" His eyes widened a bit at the sight of the waltzing couples. "Is this a general mating call?"

The sound of air escaping came from Sessra's nostrils. "No, silly creature. The mammal custom allows for dancing in celebration of important events, as well as for leisure and exercise. It allows them to show off their agility to others." She tugs a bit at the major's lapel, pretending to straighten up his uniform dress. "Not every culture is held by the same practices we have. Relax, and enjoy the sights." She returns to sipping her drink.

"Hrrrmmmm.....welll......it's still damn odd."

Anala's whirled around the dance floor on the arm of a bold diplomat. The ornaments in her hair clinked together as she spun her lithe body in tight circles. The music was not as loud or fast as Mariskalean music, but one had to show some reservation at official functions she supposed. When she had finished her dance, she made her way over to the Sakkran delegation. She had never met a non-mammalian species before, and was curious to see just what they were like. Her earlier success with the empress made her rather bolder than usual. She adressed the one she had seen others call "Major" with her most courtly curtsey.

"Fair winds and fine weahter to thee, sir. Would you honor me with a dance?"

Aiwyn frowned as it became apparent that the Mariskaleans were the only people who intended to pay their respects, in spite of her explicit request. She settled back into her throne with an air of quiet and somewhat stern dignity, putting the humiliation behind her and pretending it hadn't happened. Her aura flared slightly, becoming a harsh and terrible beauty as she settled her arms silently on the arms of the throne.

Sessra looked on with one eye at the major, while leveling her other eye towards the throne. "Major, I think you can handle this. I must go present our gift to the Emperor and Empress." At that, she seemed to almost glide away towards the throne, despite her comparitively massive frame.

"But....but...." The Major seemed stymied, but turned his attention back towards the mammalian female as she curtsied. A clawed finger tapped at his translating necklace. "Sirrah, I am not sure what the custom for your people requires, but if word of your proposal should reach ears in my homeland, it would be a scandal of no small degree." His neck seemed to pulse a bit as his crest raised to full height behind his head. A slight scent of cinnamon seemed to eminate off of him.

Meanwhile, Sessra approached the throne, and gave a low bow towards the seated pair of Draconis and Aiwyn. "On behalf of the people and Emperor of the Herpetological Empire, I bring you greetings and warm wishes towards your reign now and in your future."

From a fold within her gown, she produced a small platinum disc. "I present you this gift. It is a three-dimensional holo-simulator for those times when duty calls you away from your homelands. Sight, sound and smell are encompassed within, and it can record any environment you desire. The Emperor of my people uses one for his meditations when he finds himself off-world on business."

Aiwyn smiled as she reached forth to take the disk from the reptilian hand of Sessra. "We are most grateful to the people of the Herpetological Empire and to His Imperial Majesty. I believe that I shall have many occasions to use this most gracious gift, lady."

Alexandra's fang filled smile was replaced by a look of intense curiosity. She enjoyed all things foreign, and aside from the vampiric consumption of a mortal creature's blood, there were few things she enjoyed more than learning of foreign technologies.
"CS system? You seem nothing like the construct beings I have seen."

"EtherTech Constructed Sentience Number Alpha Seven, at your service," Akira did a half bow, grinning impishly. "Now I'm supposed to slice open my hand and show a metal skeleton. Except that'd make a horrible mess and ruin the party."

"And have you spend time growing a new exoskin," Alchemist Li said from behind her. "I'll leave you gals alone. And vanished into the small crowd, alchemist blues merging with the various constumes on the dance floor.

"But you don't have CS systems here?" Akira asked, slightly surprised, noticing finally the expressed curiocity of her host.

Draconis looked at the disk, carefully studying the small device with his icy blue eyes. Looking to Sessra, he smiled.
"Thank you, this is a truly fascinating gift. May it be a sign of good things to come between our nations. Perhaps an exchange of ambassadors is in order."

Alexandra returned the bow in absurdly grandiose style, meeting Akira's grin with one of her own.
"Ah, I believe I understand. A simulated biological exterior over a mechanical frame. Thank you for not... demonstrating, your word is enough proof for me. As for your question, as far as I know, we have no CS systems here. It is beyond the knowledge of even our most skilled techno-magi to produce such an advanced AI as yourself. The closest thing I have seen are the soul-bound machines produced by the Ministry of the Occult, but they are merely mechanical vessels controlled by a spirit."

Anala blushed, despite her best efforts to remain dignified. She rose from her curtsey with all deliberate speed, but kept her head bowed, a sign of respect and apology.
"Forgive me, sir" she said quietly, "I meant no disrespect. I am Hereditary Prime Minister Anala of the Free Land of Mariskale. It was not my intention, again, to be rude. I am unfamiliar with your race. I do beg your pardon most humbly."

Kkaash's crest lowered quite noticeably, and the scent wafted and dissipated into the area. His eye lowered onto the top of her bowed head as nictitating membranes slid and opened again over his eyes. "What you did was not a rude thing, per se. For a Sakkran, the dance is a courtship ritual. If I were seen dancing with a human, elf or any other specie save my own or a close genetic relation, tympanum would sound all over the Empire about it."

His head lowers slightly in a small bow, and raises up again. "Hereditary Prime Minister Anala, I am Major Kkaash of the Sakkran Imperial Defense Forces, Twentieth Armor Cavalry Battalion. This incident will be placed into past history. At the very least, you did not grab the base of my tail." A small whiff sound escapes his nostrils.

Sessra, meanwhile, bows once again towards Draconis and Aiwyn. her dewlap inflates showing a deep crimson color. "I am pleased our gift finds favorable review. If you should require knowledge of the workings, I would be glad to describe it. But I would not activate it here. The effect could be .... disconcerting to your guests."

"But that's what we CS are," Akira shook her head. "Spirits drawn out of the Net and put into patterned vessels....But The Tower can answer this better than I can. They did make me, after all..."

Anala smiled, and let out a mental sigh of releif. That had been a little too close to sparking a war for her tastes. Caution would probably be a wise tactic to adopt.
"You are a forgiving species, Major. It is an honor to make your accquaintance. And I assure you, I never grab tails in polite company." Anala smiled wickedly and waved her hand at a waiter, "I trust, Major," she said, "your people would have no objection to you being seen drinking with a human?"

("But that's what we CS are," Akira shook her head. "Spirits drawn out of the Net and put into patterned vessels....But The Tower can answer this better than I can. They did make me, after all..." )

Alexandra grinned slightly.
"In that case, you are not as alien to me as I had thought. That leaves me with but one question. Are you a machine spirit, or did you once occupy a mortal form?"

The vampiress paused, laughing at herself.
"I'm sorry if I seem like an interrogator, but as you might imagine, I have a certain fascination with that which is beyond the grave."

"I can't say, really," Akira chuckled. The construct may have appeared slightly lost, for a moment, thinking. "I wasn't created from scratch, if that's what you mean. I just remember...being. Some say they pull bits of spirits through the Gate. I could ask them..."

The biothaumages and patterners involved in creating Constructed Sentiences were not the sort to publicly proclaim their methods. They made the basics of what they did available, though not easily found, but the details were usually kept hidden from the general public by simply not speaking of the matter. Akira made a mental note to ask them, wondering aside why she didn't think of it sooner. Maybe...were they deep-patterning thought-inhibitors into constructs? Then what would be the point...

Alexandra shrugged a little.
"Oh well, you needn't trouble yourself overly much on my account. Thank you for indulging my curiosity thus far, though. It had been a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Kkaash nodded his head slightly. "There is no scandal in that. Our old Emperor took great pleasure in drinking with the humans, in fact. One would say it prompted our emergence into the inter-stellar political field." His hand gesticulates next to his head, adding emphasis to the words.

Aiwyn smiled as she slipped off her husband's arm, gliding towards the Sakkrans curiously.