A tall man holding a gauss rifle appears on the screen, his armor is ancient - ominous, a white M is emblazoned on the helmet - the message plays
Date: 10-5-820 A.S. Location: MNS Dreadnought Gladius Rex Orbiting planet Soledad, Omicron-81
Priority: High
Encryption: Maximum
Target:Gabriella Casta,101st Ghosts of Razgriz Sender: Dragomir Sabitov, Kniaz of Famiglia Savbitov
Hola, senora Casta, I am Dragomir Sabitov - Kniaz of Famiglia Sabitov, or Don if you prefer. Small talk can happen later, let's get down to business; my family is a small, yet wealthy and quite advanced due in part by our research and development contracts for various military organizations of the Nacion, as well as cardamine smuggling - typical of a Maltan family. Yet what we truly invested in is scientific research, especially concerning artifacts, which is what brings me to you this day. Long story short, a Sabitov Force Expeditionary Fleet ambushed and destroyed a....suspiciously well guarded Corsair convoy in the Omicrons, their cargo was of course artifacts belonging to the Daam'Kvosh and K'hara civilizations, a lot of them as well. The substantial guard of the convoy, coupled with intercepted Corsair transmissions has piqued our interest in the importance of these artifacts and you seem to know very much about matters concerning the K'hara and their former benefactors. I personally invite you aboard our flagship, the Gladius Rex, orbiting the dark side of planet Soledad in hopes that you might consult us on our research, and rest assured - any findings will go to the betterment of the Nacion.
I await your arrival, one of our patrols will escort you to our location.
//After some thought, I have decided that (for multiple reasons) I no longer wish to have this particular RP as a part of my character and am retconning it into oblivion as per this statement as author.
A tall man holding a gauss rifle appears on the screen, his armor is ancient - ominous, a white M is emblazoned on the helmet - the message plays
Date: 10-5-820 A.S.
Location: MNS Dreadnought Gladius Rex Orbiting planet Soledad, Omicron-81
Priority: High
Encryption: Maximum
Target: Gabriella Casta, 101st Ghosts of Razgriz
Sender: Dragomir Sabitov, Kniaz of Famiglia Sabitov
Hola, senora Casta, I am Dragomir Sabitov - Kniaz of Famiglia Sabitov, or Don if you prefer. Small talk can happen later, let's get down to business; my family is a small, yet wealthy and quite advanced due in part by our research and development contracts for various military organizations of the Nacion, as well as cardamine smuggling - typical of a Maltan family. Yet what we truly invested in is scientific research, especially concerning artifacts, which is what brings me to you this day. Long story short, a Sabitov Force Expeditionary Fleet ambushed and destroyed a....suspiciously well guarded Corsair convoy in the Omicrons, their cargo was of course artifacts belonging to the Daam'Kvosh and K'hara civilizations, a lot of them as well. The substantial guard of the convoy, coupled with intercepted Corsair transmissions has piqued our interest in the importance of these artifacts and you seem to know very much about matters concerning the K'hara and their former benefactors. I personally invite you aboard our flagship, the Gladius Rex, orbiting the dark side of planet Soledad in hopes that you might consult us on our research, and rest assured - any findings will go to the betterment of the Nacion.
I await your arrival, one of our patrols will escort you to our location.
[incoming.signal]
[decrypting.signal]
From: 'HundredFirst Ghosts of Razgriz
Gabriella Casta, Lieutenant
To: Sabitov, D. Source: Corsica Outer Sanctum Topic: Pursuit Unknown
Hola.
Quite uncommon actually people directly contacting me on matters involving any research on this specific topic.
Most just don't know.
You've obviously done your background checks properly. Not sure yet if that speaks in your favour or against, but this will sort out later.
So you've got hold of Artifacts, nothing sensational to most indviduals, sure not to those challanged minds of disabled lifes inhabiting Crete.
You state convoy whereof Artifacts had been taken was especially well guarded, looks like there's indeed more to those as can be seen on a first glance.
I've yet to get known of your family, so far you managed to stay quite good under the radar, but that flagships name, Gladius Rex, I actually recall. Production at Cartagena shipyards. Which is the place you'll relocate this fine piece of maltese technology to so we'll meet up there.
Be advised that the shipyard was set under military law jurisdication, so keep your men in line.
Expect a squadron to be dispatched serving as guard during our encounter.
Cartagena, Deck Eleven, Section Four.
Dragomir sat patiently on his golden throne, his NeuralNet profile displayed on his helmets HUD. The bridge of the Gladius Rex was massive, a console dotted every corner; crewmen were shuffling between their stations, monitoring power distribution, medical reports, feedback from the many Sabitov expeditions dotting the sector, cardigen flow throughout the ship - the list goes on. A flashing yellow icon appeared on his HUD - a message opened.
"From:Lieutenant Gabriella Casta, 101st Ghosts of Razgriz"
The Kniaz had a strange accent reminiscent of the Russian accent that you might find in the Coalition, due in part by the Coalition roots of his family and their relative isolation from other Outcast families
-"Hmph. She means business doesn't she, can never say I get a quick response from just about any official in the blasted sector. Guess we are meeting on her terms then."
He stood up and walked to the edge of his thrones pedestal, flanked by two heavily armed guards - he inhales deeply and shouts the order that might result in his Family becoming one of the most influential in the Nacion.
-D: Admiral Dmitrov, we're moving to Cartagena - a Ghost squadron will be dispatched to escort us in. The rest of you lads act calm will you? That Casta devochka is a scary one, but she is on our side. And remember this is a military installation, I expect the best god damn behaviour from all of you while in the presence of Casta and her cohorts"
-Adm. Dmitrov: Da my Lord, their wing has just arrived, we're twenty kilometers from the station and closing at cruise speed.
The Gladius Rex approached Cartagena, the Dreadnought was an unusual one, it was simply massive - possessed little extra armor armor plating, instead opting for a mostly hollow midsection which doubled as a practical floating city, housing a few thousand Sabitov civilians and massive hangars brimming with fighters, shuttles, civilian vehicles and small transports. The Sabitov Family must have paid the worth of a small planet for this beast.
The Gladius Rex moored with the shipyard, an airlock extended between the station and one of the Gladius Rex' massive hangars - Kniaz Dragomir and fifteen of his Druzhina bodyguard marched into Section 4 of Cartagenas' Deck 11 to greet Casta standing alone at the end of the airlock.
-"At last, Senora Casta - a pleasure to meet you."
Dragomir sat patiently on his golden throne, his NeuralNet profile displayed on his helmets HUD. The bridge of the Gladius Rex was massive, a console dotted every corner; crewmen were shuffling between their stations, monitoring power distribution, medical reports, feedback from the many Sabitov expeditions dotting the sector, cardigen flow throughout the ship - the list goes on. A flashing yellow icon appeared on his HUD - a message opened.
"From:Lieutenant Gabriella Casta, 101st Ghosts of Razgriz" [/color]
The Kniaz had a strange accent reminiscent of the Russian accent that you might find in the Coalition, due in part by the Coalition roots of his family and their relative isolation from other Outcast families
-"Hmph. She means business doesn't she, can never say I get a quick response from just about any official in the blasted sector. Guess we are meeting on her terms then."
He stood up and walked to the edge of his thrones pedestal, flanked by two heavily armed guards - he inhales deeply and shouts the order that might result in his Family becoming one of the most influential in the Nacion.
-D: Admiral Dmitrov, we're moving to Cartagena - a Ghost squadron will be dispatched to escort us in. The rest of you lads act calm will you? That Casta devochka is a scary one, but she is on our side. And remember this is a military installation, I expect the best god damn behaviour from all of you while in the presence of Casta and her cohorts"
-Adm. Dmitrov: Da my Lord, their wing has just arrived, we're twenty kilometers from the station and closing at cruise speed.
The Gladius Rex approached Cartagena, the Dreadnought was an unusual one, it was simply massive - possessed little extra armor armor plating, instead opting for a mostly hollow midsection which doubled as a practical floating city, housing a few thousand Sabitov civilians and massive hangars brimming with fighters, shuttles, civilian vehicles and small transports. The Sabitov Family must have paid the worth of a small planet for this beast.
The Gladius Rex moored with the shipyard, an airlock extended between the station and one of the Gladius Rex' massive hangars - Kniaz Dragomir and fifteen of his Druzhina bodyguard marched into Section 4 of Cartagenas' Deck 11 to greet Casta standing alone at the end of the airlock.
-"At last, Senora Casta - a pleasure to meet you."
Flight from Galicia to Cartagena is a short one
Accompanied by the aforementioned squadron, Gabriella arrived shortly after sending out the response to Sabitovs transmission, with the Gladius Rex already orbiting the shipyard awaiting further instructions.
Flanking the impressive warship and getting it to mooring points was standard military flight procedure. One, given the general capability of Secondary Fleet, that went surprisingly hitch-free.
Down on Bay Eight, with two guards on her side, Gabriella left the hangar area for Section Four.
A department recently issued to be intensively watched by military, serving as the local intermediary checkpoint for any outside business that involves non-Ghost personnel.
Her look devoid of emotions yet again, her eyes take the view beyond what is seen to a place away from all the illusions that environ her.
Eleven decks to pass by elevator, with every meter they are closing to Section Four, her mind is drifting more apart from reality, covering her thoughts within a cloud of suspicion and malevolence.
At the foyer, she does not notice her surroundings.
She is the center of what is relevant.
She is the Guardian.
She is the Executrix.
She is the Nacion.
The marching steps of soldiers, in cadence coming towards her position, left her with an discontented feeling. Yet she knew Sabitov would bring his own men.
Fifteen soldiers enter the hall - drilled, trained, in-line. An imposing appearance for any individual, nevertheless not for Gabriella as the short opalescence in her eyes could be compared to surveying during active surveillance.
You've informed us about an Artifact in your possession. You better have it with you, but we'll investigate on that later. Your guard's to stay here at entrance, you,...
Her hand makes a showing move towards a lodge embedded into the foyers walls.
...take a seat. And enlighten me on your concerns about the ignes fatui of the forgotten past.
The Kniaz exits the threshold of the airlock tube, takes a quick note of his surroundings, checks for potential assassins using the internal sensors on his suit - the coast was clear, good business for once. He came to an immediate stop twenty feet from the dead stare of Casta and raised his right arm, forming into a fist - simultaneously, his men snapped to attention and kneeled in one fluid, united motion - not a hair out of line. He released his hand and stepped forward, they returned to their original formation, two guards flanked him as he approached Casta, removing his helmet, revealing a handsome young man, likely in his late twenties, scars present on his cheek, lip and left eye.
G: You've informed us about an Artifact in your possession. You better have it with you, but we'll investigate on that later. Your guard's to stay here at entrance, you take a seat. And enlighten me on your concerns about the ignes fatui of the forgotten past.
Dragomir obliges to her request, taking a seat.
-D:Not precisely one artifact, a handful rather - though a hypothesis formulated by our science team based on age, material composition, and energy signature have identified a few specific relics as subjects of higher importance. We wish to further study these artifacts, but....unlike every other batch of relics we have studied and preserved, these are harder to decipher, metaphorically speaking, it's as if they've been padlocked by their creators. Vaults are built to protect their contents, whatever these artifacts contain - it is likely invaluable information that could potentially advance the Nacion. Despite having our best minds on the matter, we simply lack the expertise when it comes to relics this old and complex. We understand that you, and perhaps other Ghosts have extensive experience with the K'hara and artifacts of similar cryptic nature which is what brought us here in the first place.
The Kniaz exits the threshold of the airlock tube, takes a quick note of his surroundings, checks for potential assassins using the internal sensors on his suit - the coast was clear, good business for once. He came to an immediate stop twenty feet from the dead stare of Casta and raised his right arm, forming into a fist - simultaneously, his men snapped to attention and kneeled in one fluid, united motion - not a hair out of line. He released his hand and stepped forward, they returned to their original formation, two guards flanked him as he approached Casta, removing his helmet, revealing a handsome young man, likely in his late twenties, scars present on his cheek, lip and left eye.
G: You've informed us about an Artifact in your possession. You better have it with you, but we'll investigate on that later. Your guard's to stay here at entrance, you take a seat. And enlighten me on your concerns about the ignes fatui of the forgotten past.
Dragomir obliges to her request, taking a seat.
-D: Not precisely one artifact, a handful rather - though a hypothesis formulated by our science team based on age, material composition, and energy signature have identified a few specific relics as subjects of higher importance. We wish to further study these artifacts, but....unlike every other batch of relics we have studied and preserved, these are harder to decipher, metaphorically speaking, it's as if they've been padlocked by their creators. Vaults are built to protect their contents, whatever these artifacts contain - it is likely invaluable information that could potentially advance the Nacion. Despite having our best minds on the matter, we simply lack the expertise when it comes to relics this old and complex. We understand that you, and perhaps other Ghosts have extensive experience with the K'hara and artifacts of similar cryptic nature which is what brought us here in the first place.
Listening to the elucidations Sabitov provides, her mind indeed is in vast movement contrary to the missing expressions Gabriella shows towards her conversationalist.
The eidolon you're talking about is one that many ran into, many wish to solve and so far none had succeeded in doing so.
There's ways to decrypt information or whatever enigma it holds, but that requires assistance of differently minded individuals. There's one, she can foster in what human science never could achieve. But here's not the place to deepen academic research.
And now is not the time. You're yet to prove yourself, as just poisioning the air I breathe with your presence in the belief handing me over a yet indeterminate number of random Artifacts won't cut it in gaining my trust. Your focussed, conceited approach catched me on the first, but listening to your explanations so far arises disfavour within me.
Her fingers tapping on the table, yielding a scratched noise that irrupts thoughts and invades cogitations. Gabriella is out of a sudden in a noticeably testy sentiment. The guards Sabitov has with him are not enhancing the thrill she was looking for with this conference.
You'll unload your captured treasure so it can be taken to facilities better suited to investigate on their mysteries. You'll clear shipyard of your soldiers, you'll leave behind all safety you think you got.
No weaponry. No guards. No uncommanded move.
Gladius Rex is to be secured by Ghost personnel and your crew will take shelter within seperated departments of Cartagena. All under watch of the military.
For a short moment, to calm her temper, there is a break in the lining out of the commandments.
If you're in doubt of your security and fear for your life, let me assure you that no harm will by done to your biological presence.
... You should be concerned about state of your mind once Esprit of the Unforgiving you'll encounter is taking you across the Acheron.
Her look takes on the Ghost soldiers that are with her, embracing the moment of fortune to have Sabitov internalize what is constituting the misery coming towards him should he decide to partake in this endeavour.
Canto Three, Engraving upon the Archway.
And the soldiers choral immediately imbues the foyer, a whisper as spoken by wraiths, the canon of agony, an ovation to distress.
I am the way into the city of woe,
I am the way into eternal pain,
I am the way to go among the lost.
Justice caused my high architect to move,
Divine omnipotence created me,
The highest wisdom, and the primal love.
Before me there were no created things,
But those that last forever - as do I.
Abandon all hope you who enter here.
-G: The eidolon you're talking about is one that many ran into, many wish to solve and so far none had succeeded in doing so. There's ways to decrypt information or whatever enigma it holds, but that requires assistance of differently minded individuals. There's one, she can foster in what human science never could achieve. But here's not the place to deepen academic research. And now is not the time. You're yet to prove yourself, as just poisoning the air I breathe with your presence in the belief handing me over a yet indeterminate number of random Artifacts won't cut it in gaining my trust. Your focused, conceited approach caught me on the first, but listening to your explanations so far arises disfavor within me.
Sabitov sighed, his head swimming with thoughts - his pupilary implants fed a bounty of information to his cornea and lens, mostly reports from the Gladius Rex and his Druzhina, to whom his auditory cortex is linked. He thought this would be a sweet and simple exchange, no bureaucracy, no tricks, no traps - yet he felt he was walking into one; the Druzhina felt it too, scanning the hangar thrice a minute, hands clutched on their rifles - knives graspable within a microsecond, shields charged things were getting tenser by the moment. Things always tend to go this way when a Maltan conducts business...Gabriella continued speaking,
-G: You'll unload your captured treasure so it can be taken to facilities better suited to investigate on their mysteries. You'll clear shipyard of your soldiers, you'll leave behind all safety you think you got. No weaponry. No guards. No uncommanded move. Gladius Rex is to be secured by Ghost personnel and your crew will take shelter within seperated departments of Cartagena. All under watch of the military.
Sabitov immediately felt relief and before Casta could even finish her first sentence he sent a message to the commander of the Druzhina through his cranial implants and the terrifying cohort moved in perfect cohesion, no emotion, no blunder and returned to the Gladius Rex to conduct security sweeps, secure the artifacts for the Ghosts, and retire to their quarters for rest. Gabriella took a small refrain in between sentences and began to speak again.
-G: If you're in doubt of your security and fear for your life, let me assure you that no harm will by done to your biological presence...you should be concerned about state of your mind once Esprit of the Unforgiving you'll encounter is taking you across the Acheron.
-D: I figured as much, Gabriellichka, but my Druzhina will remain on the Gladius Rex and as for the crew of the ship, you ought to have room for at least seven thousand - spacing them is not an option. (Calmly) As for my weapons, you can have them, I can do more with my fists.. I do hope you'll educate me on the Espirit, I am a man of curiosity, after all. Now we ought to get moving, Gabriellichka, I'm sure you want to embark on our endeavour as much as I do - take the lead.
Quote:-G: The eidolon you're talking about is one that many ran into, many wish to solve and so far none had succeeded in doing so. There's ways to decrypt information or whatever enigma it holds, but that requires assistance of differently minded individuals. There's one, she can foster in what human science never could achieve. But here's not the place to deepen academic research. And now is not the time. You're yet to prove yourself, as just poisoning the air I breathe with your presence in the belief handing me over a yet indeterminate number of random Artifacts won't cut it in gaining my trust. Your focused, conceited approach caught me on the first, but listening to your explanations so far arises disfavor within me.
Sabitov sighed, his head swimming with thoughts - his pupilary implants fed a bounty of information to his cornea and lens, mostly reports from the Gladius Rex and his Druzhina, to whom his auditory cortex is linked. He thought this would be a sweet and simple exchange, no bureaucracy, no tricks, no traps - yet he felt he was walking into one; the Druzhina felt it too, scanning the hangar thrice a minute, hands clutched on their rifles - knives graspable within a microsecond, shields charged things were getting tenser by the moment. Things always tend to go this way when a Maltan conducts business...Gabriella continued speaking,
-G: You'll unload your captured treasure so it can be taken to facilities better suited to investigate on their mysteries. You'll clear shipyard of your soldiers, you'll leave behind all safety you think you got. No weaponry. No guards. No uncommanded move. Gladius Rex is to be secured by Ghost personnel and your crew will take shelter within seperated departments of Cartagena. All under watch of the military.
Sabitov immediately felt relief and before Casta could even finish her first sentence he sent a message to the commander of the Druzhina through his cranial implants and the terrifying cohort moved in perfect cohesion, no emotion, no blunder and returned to the Gladius Rex to conduct security sweeps, secure the artifacts for the Ghosts, and retire to their quarters for rest. Gabriella took a small refrain in between sentences and began to speak again.
-G: If you're in doubt of your security and fear for your life, let me assure you that no harm will by done to your biological presence...you should be concerned about state of your mind once Esprit of the Unforgiving you'll encounter is taking you across the Acheron.
-D: I figured as much, Gabriellichka, but my Druzhina will remain on the Gladius Rex and as for the crew of the ship, you ought to have room for at least seven thousand - spacing them is not an option. (Calmly)
As for my weapons, you can have them, I can do more with my fists.. I do hope you'll educate me on the Espirit, I am a man of curiosity, after all. Now we ought to get moving, Gabriellichka, I'm sure you want to embark on our endeavour as much as I do - take the lead.
As the Druzhina left the scenery, leaving Sabitov alone with Gabriella and her guards at the foyer, situation's tensity got noticable interleaved by the concerns arising within the Kniaz.
Cartagena's station personnel unloads the Artifacts, alongside Sabitov's crew, preparing them for transshipment to Galicia.
A team of technicians is left on the Gladius Rex as Ghost soldiers take over the ship, accompanying a second team to a secured, closed department to serve as a failsafe squadron, ready to assist in case of unforeseen emergencies that would need more ressources to attend the situation.
A third team is sheltered at a disclosed position overwatched by the automated station defense system, staying at the shipyard in state of alert, alike the locked up crewmen on the Gladius.
Everyone else is, in a rather unsubtle manner, guided through the hangars for transportation back to Malta.
Apart from those few left at Gabriella's mercy, all of Sabitov's soldiers are taken out of immediate range to interfere with any situation.
Nervousness on her counterpart was an undeniable fact, the chosen path would lead them to an encounter's outcome none of the two could ever tell, a way to approach resolving issues not leaving room for arguments or scepticism.
Any connection you might've to your guards, communications and recording software you should disable, even better you'll have those dismantled from your biological shell if that's possible. It'll make dealing with the upcoming more unimpaired.
Gabriella pointed to the foyer's doors, indicating time for departure had come, and without order given her guards positioned next to Sabitov pushing for movement.
About to leave, the energy field that covered the entrance hall opened a passage before any inside reached the door, making way for a soldier to enter.
A soldier unlike the others, wearing an unknown type of armour, weaponry not seen by any before.
A number is on the left shoulder, front.
Ghost guards stepped aside, Sabitov with them, to let the soldier pass towards Gabriella.
Let me introduce to you 087, she'll be our shadow all the time, and will make sure there's nothing done that may endanger existence during this endeavour we're on about. Don't try her, it won't suit you well.
You've been warned.
Looking at the arrived soldier's visor, confronted with her mirrored incisive view, Gabriella signals the numbered guard orders by hand, been given an acknowledging nod in return.
Without any word spoken, having passed the eleven decks to the hangars, they reach the ship earmarked for taking them to Galicia.
Once aboard, the pathway is set, no matter what demons within your mind question sanity as you'll try to convince Phlegyas to take you across. Shores of the inner shell will appear and once past the Uncalled Gates, outside Dis you'll see your fate. Last chance to return.
![[Image: 7HD8A08.jpg?2]](http://i.imgur.com/7HD8A08.jpg?2)
