Just the Beginning

[Serpentis]

In "The Hive" deep underneath Malta's surface, the members of the Enclave stirred, the news of what had happened had reached them at the same time as the Absolution.

Hundreds of thousand of people where packing their bags, in fear of an attack here, the leaders had assured the people that who ever committed this act of violence and agression would not be as stupid as to launch a full scale assault upon Malta and the outcasts.

Yet people no longer felt safe, they wanted to move, man and machine alike questioned the reason for staying in the war ravaged area they resided.

The Priests tried to calm the people, assuring the people that the Council would choose wisely and that everything would be ok yet again.

Inside the council chambers 2 seats where empty, the Patriarch's and the Arch priest's Jechaim's seat.

The others had been deliberating about what they should do in these times, they weren't men of war, save the Arch Priests..

They had also, while waiting voted upon the Patriarch seat and who was to take it.. It was only fitting that there is supposed to be only one empty seat this meeting, and it shall not be the Patriarch's..

As the Absolution approached Malta they where stopped to be scanned as usual, all according to regulations and they where not prepared to break that rule just yet. They landed into the large vent, leading down into the Hive's hangars. Where not only the Absolution was stored, but their transports and freighters, not to mention the fighters.

The Absolution moored with it's decided docking point, Jechaim, quickly followed by E.v.E in her artificial body, ran towards the Council chambers at full speed, somewhat strange to see, as he was known for his speed, it went fast, to fast for a human being.

As he approached the council doors, a familiar face greeted him, it was the commander of the military Caste, Edward Zhane.. His head missing hair, save the well-managed beard, he greeted Jechaim with a palm outwards, the typical salutation of a solder.

"Well met Arch Priest Jechaim, I have been awaiting your arrival.. The others wish us both in the council chambers.. Yes yes, I know it isn't our custom for one of the military caste to be present during it's deliberations. But the other's requested it.."

Jechaim nodded and hurried into the chamber, as the doors opened in front of them, the other three council members welcomed Jechaim with open arms

"Brother Jechaim, please hear us before you take your ordinary seat.."

"We have decided amongst ourselves, that you are to take the position of Patriarch.."

Jechaim looked at the three others, a raised eyebrow, as it is custom the Arch priests and Bishops show their faces in the council chambers, he did not know what he was to say, he knew that the Enclave needed a leader, now more then ever.. He knew it was the will of the Creator.. He had to accept the mantle of leadership, no matter what.

"I accept.. "

The others smiled and said in unison

"Then take your seat, Patriarch Jechaim, leader of the Enclave"

Even Zhane smiled as Jechaim approached the large middle seat, the four other seats sat in front of the middle one.. The others sat down, save Zhane, he remained standing, as he as the rest of the Military caste had no seat in the council.

It was a few moments before anyone spoke, but the first who did was Jechaim.

"What has happened to the Enclave today, is the worst possible thing that could have happened, we have lost all possibilities of sustaining our civilization here on Malta. Without shipments from our mining world, or regular reports from the other outposts, then we are left to one simple option..

We need to migrate, we need to move the Enclave, we need to find Neutral space in which we could rebuild and.. Become what the Creator would want for us.

Us that are left alive, us that haven't left the ways of the Enclave."

He took a few minutes before he continued..

"Prior to me letting the others of you having the word, I will declare a change.. Something some of you will protest to. From this day, the enclave shall no longer be led by the Animus Caste.."

The other council members frooze, and so did Zhane, he stared at the Patriarch.

"Listen.. These aren't normal times for us, we have never faced this kind of... Times before, it is the Creator who is testing our faith's.. That is why, two seats in the council shall be taken by the Military Caste, one of which will be taken by Commander, now Overlord Zhane.. "

Zhane blinked and looked up at the patriarch and then bowed his head and said;

"Yes Patriarch, I accept this decision for the entire Military Caste.."

"Very well, council member Zhane, take your seat at the council."

Jechaim turned towards the other members and nodded at them

"I will let you three decide on which of you that will leave the council"

The three animus caste council members looked at each other and after some discussions amongst each other, the second Arch Bishop stood up, bowed at the Patriarch and the now Council Member Zhane, and left the chambers, with no sign of anger or annoyances in his face..

"Good, let us..."

The Patriarch got interrupted mid sentence as a small Spy form appeared trough the hole in the top of the room, it began to speak rapidly, a bit to fast for at least Zhane to comprehend what it was saying.

Then a holographic image appeared in front on the council, showing the Osiris class battleship launching a missile.

The entire council stood up and watched the video play in front of their eyes..

Jechaim said out loud to the First voice, the AI that had taken residence within the Hive.

"Search trough all records using the scans 2x-I5 took.. Now!"

After a few moments, the voice responded in a thousand voices in unison

"Search completed.. Found similar signature in database, connection:: Phantom Empire, similar energy signatures.. Negative, a complete match. Definitely Phantom made.. "

Every member sat down again, Jechaim was in shock.. Why would they attack the enclave? What reason do they have?

He stood up and yelled out.

"We need to ask for Sanctuary within a neutral party.. Now.. There is no time to delay, if the Phantoms are the ones responsible, they would not stop at this.. They will come for all of us.. Overlord Zhane, prepare the ships and gather all materials into the transports."

Another rose and said.

"Who would we ask to take us in? Who could we trust?"

Jechaim looked at the Arch Priest and said

"There is only one faction that could allow us safe harbor, the Zoners.. They have stations across Sirius and they have controlled space far away from the war ravaged systems of the Outcasts.. We need to move, and we need to do it now"

The others nodded in unison..

Then Jechaim took work again

"The Exodus of the Virulian Enclave begins now."

Zhane knew at that moment, what the Military Caste would be called, and he started, in his mind to plan the things he had dreamed of for so long..

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