The Brotherhood

[Laowai]

My Lord, the Outcast vessel is refusing to halt

The smartly attired Dragon Navy helmsmen didnt turn as he addressed his commanding officer. Seated behind him in the command chair, situated higher than the rest of the bridge, as befitting its owners status, Lord Benjamin Laowai leaned forward looking at the view screen. He ran his hands through his long tri-pronged beard Fire across their bows, show them that we insist they stop to chat.

The forward batteries of the battleship Qianlong recoiled as great bolts of blue energy raced out towards the Outcast freighter, narrowly missing her bows.
She is slowing my lord The helmsman stated matter of factly.
Laowai stood, resting his hand on his Katana which was strung lazily from this belt. Open a Channel

A soft beeping sound echoed across the bridge, indicating that the line was active.

This is Lord Benjamin Laowai of the Dragon Navy Battleship Qianlong, you are ordered to drop your cargo immediately
A metallic sounding voiced crackled over the comm. System, This is outrageous, we have a right to be here under the terms of the Outcast Dragon treaty which
Laowai cut him off; A treaty under which the Kusari Dragon government specifically banned the importation of all cardamine and cardamine related products, you will drop your cargo now or we will disable and impound your ship.
An undecipherable gibberish crackled across the speakers, local Maltese profanities that the Qianlongs translation program was unable to make sense of. It cut off suddenly and the helmsman cut in, They have opened their cargo bay doors my Lord, the cargo is being jettisoned as requested
On the screen, small metallic cases drifted out from underneath the Outcasts ship, catching the light of the sun as they tumbled. Laowai confirmed that all the cargo had indeed been dropped then addressed the outcasts again. Outcast vessel, you are clear to proceed, engage your cruise engines and leave the area He stepped down to the level of the bridge crew and addressed his fire control officer, who snapped to attention when he heard his name called. Target those containers and destroy them as soon as the outcast ship is clear
He turned and strode off to the door at the rear of the bridge. Ill be in my quarters should anyone need me

Once in his quarters, he unclipped his katana and placed it on his table, it was a finely kept weapon that had been passed down to him by his mother, its long black scabbard was plain save only for the gold family crest adorning its side. Sitting down on his bed he unclipped his medals of service and merit that he always insisted on wearing when on the bridge, while sometimes cumbersome, they nevertheless did add an air of distinction which all added to the image of command.
Despite his assured appearance, Laowai had fought to reach the position he now maintained, unlike most Dragon nobility, his station had not come down through his father but rather his mother. A Golden Chrysanthemum warrior of the old order, his mother had distinguished herself in the wars against the old Kusari emperor that had finally unseated him and led to the Blood Dragons ascendancy to power. Her star rising further in the ensuing conflicts in which the Hogosha were finally destroyed and their Corsair Allies crushed. In the end, as part of the spoils of war, his mother had taken several Corsairs as servants.
One of whom, became Benjamin Laowais father.
His mothers service record was impeccable, so despite her poor choice for a mate, she could not be touched by the other Dragons. Her son though, was spared no such courtesy. He had learned from a young age that he needed to prove himself. And he had indeed. His skills as a swordsman were second to none, and many of his rivals had fallen to its unforgiving blade in duels of honor. His skill as a fleet commander had been undeniable and he had risen through the ranks steadily until he was eventually appointed as a fleet admiral. Finally, as Lord Benjamin Laowai, he had wed one of the Emperors daughters, placing him third in line for the Dragon throne itself
Still, the social games and hobnobbing of life in the Kusari Nobility did not suit him and he felt his most calm on the bridge of his flagship, the Qianlong.
After this patrol, he would take her back to New Tokyo; he was looking forward to seeing his wife. Unlike many Kusari nobles, he had not married for position; it was but a fringe benefit that came when he had met the woman he loved. Their marriage was considered a shock amongst the Dragon nobility; it was believed that she was marrying far below her station. But the Dragon Emperor was a wise and kind man, he had seen determination in his daughter, and the honorable bearing of Laowai himself, and had consented to the union.
Laowais mixed heritage meant that short of a catastrophe there was no chance he would ever sit upon the Dragon throne, but he harbored no such ambition. He was, at this stage of his life, remarkably lucky; he could truly say he was content.

As he lay on his bed musing to himself, the internal comm. System sparked up, My Lord, there is an incoming message from command

Send it through Laowai said.
The small comm unit next to the bed beeped into life and an electronic voice spoke out

To officer commanding DNS Qianlong, you are requested to hold position and await further instructions, verification code ######

Laowai groaned to himself, the verification code was an admiralty code, which meant that he had no recourse but to do as the message instructed and hold position.
So much for going home he thought.

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