The small planetary colony on the surface of Hascosay was preparing for a fierce defense. All other activities on the surface of the planet were stopped and the "Ascended", together with their yet Dark followers, along with a few allies, created fortifications, dug tunnels, expanded underground complexes. All in order to reduce the visibility of the colony from orbit and save the few resources that were obtained at such a huge cost. They had already lost their home once, and the very thought of it happening again was unacceptable. Humans, machines, hybrids of the both and their owners, which is the purest Light, worked as one...
In this turmoil, the Nymph was expecting guests. She waited in the spacious briefing room, where some of the influences of both the Fae and their few allies had already gathered. It remains only to wait for Thraike and some others.
Posts: 6,566
Threads: 507
Joined: Nov 2014
Staff roles: Art Developer
PLANET HASCOSAY, ELYSIUM, "THE MEETING ROOM"
Revenant was indeed present at this meeting of mischevious minds. Having arrived earlier than most of the guests, she patiently waited within the conference room. As per usual, she was donning her long coat, her mask and her armored suit - that of which seemed to be providing some air through to the mask. Although she was armed, she had decided to arm herself with non-lethal measures - sonic weaponary, in the very rare event that an undesirable somehow made its way in, or in the typically reoccuring event that she is to be backstabbed.
Sitting across the table, she rested in the chair, leaning against the arm of it, supporting her head against her palm - as a form of impromptu pillow as she waited the hour. She crossed her legs, completely relaxing. There was full faith that she would be unharmed in this meeting, her belief was so strong that she even attended whilst injured, her neck would have a black wrap around it, seemingly hiding something.
She gazed to the middle of the room idly through her masks lens, pondering and daydreaming to herself to pass the time. As more and more guests came in, she made connections - feeling nostalgia from the times she would meet unsavoury individuals, very quietly commenting under her breath when noticing the new arrivals silently encroaching around the table, all of them bearing different origins.
Even when their most trusted was present, representation of the Vagrant Confluence was still demanded. The one whose presence on Hascosay was unquestionable, absolute, ever watching over even the smallest of her kin. Kessereya decided to attend it in person.
Even though she was observing the meeting at this given moment as it is, for everyone's sake, she manifested an apparition. A slender, tall, feminine figure, enveloped in a rugged, black winter coat with long tails, a cape covering her head, making it look like there was nothing but abyss in place of her face, with two volumetric strands of long, snow white hair appearing from under it, floating in unison with her coat.
Kessereya wouldn't take any seat, slowly floating around the table, facing it with her left shoulder, the coat's sleeves barely giving away the fact that she put her hands behind her back. The elder remained patient. Matters such as today's required a collected mind. Although her attention wouldn't be completely focused on the meeting - she was still observing their new home system, as her capabilities would allow her to. Even if she was to stand guard against an unwelcome guest, the meeting would still be under her supervision.
The sound of soft footsteps echoed from one of the room's doorways, rubber-soled boots hitting a hard surface. As the footsteps crescendoed to announce the arrival of another guest, Kimiko Hawkins emerged with them. Standing tall, the androgynous figure of the woman, clothed in her typical black-blue-purple voidsuit, brown patchy bomber jacket, and white silk scarf, surveyed the room with quiet confidence. She brushed a lock of long blue hair away from her signature butterfly eyepatch, as she went to sit down at the table. The pilot's odd and fantastical appearance certainly emphasized the fey qualities of her kind.
She sat across from Revenant, leaning back in her chair and nodding at the various individuals in attendance. It was always fun seeing so many familiar, yet disparate faces in one place. Like several ripples meeting at one, singular point in the middle of a pool. Satisfying. Concluding. Sublime.
She smiled at the thought, looking down and crossing her arms, lost in a daydream.
The last guest entered the meeting room. Harbinger's thrall walked towards the group. It would appear he had arrived just now, not even bothering to notify anyone until the ship was descending to the planet surface. Some viewed him with suspicion in this tribe as well, but they knew better than to deny his participation, although the reasons for sudden appearance were to anyone's guess.
He took a seat to have both Revenant and Nymph in his view. Unremarkable in looks and attire he seem just like an ordinary human.
After a brief silence around the docking ports of Hascosay, the roar of a massive engine can be heard. A short while later a Triumph class destroyer enters into close proximity of the ports and initiates docking. Once the Bay of the destroyer opened up, five hooded figures exited the ship. While walking toward the conference room, all hooded figures walk at the same pace and manner, making it impossible to distinguish one from another, besides one detail.
As soon they stood in front of the door, two of the five figures hasted to the left side of it and the other two towards the right side, while the single most different figure just stood there in silence. The door started to open and the only thing that was visible through her robes was a single red glowing eye. As soon as she entered the room she noticed that she must have been the last one to arrive. With a quick wave, she ordered her escort to leave and they quickly vanished into thin air. As she is the Hooded figure apologized for the delay of her arrival while walking towards a corner chair where she could observe everything.
As new members of the council arrived, the Nymph greeted each of them with a courteous nod, although one visitor caused genuine confusion in her. Harbinger, in the guise of his Trall, appeared at a council to which he was not invited. She followed him with her eyes exactly until he took a seat at the table. After Traike entered the hall, several well-equipped guards entered the room and took their places along the perimeter of the walls. The Nymph trusted Revenant, but there could be no trust in other non-ascended ones, no matter how loyal their views were and therefore the guards watched them.
The Nymph got up from her chair and looked around the audience again. She began her speech. - I greet all of you, my sisters, brothers and faithful allies. Your presence here means that I was not mistaken in marking you as the most faithful to the ideals of the Light.
The Nymph bowed to the projection of Kessereya. - With the blessing of Elder Kessereya, we will begin the council.
She held confidently, though there was obvious tension in her eyes. - The topic of today's council, as some of you already know, is the security of our world. We have long watched the parties that stretch their greedy hands to the worlds of Tau. Their ambitions are indefatigable and their armies are strong. The Great Houses are preparing for the next campaign against Gallia. The truce and rapprochement between of Bretonia with Kusari, the defeat of insurgency forces at Liberty and regular border conflicts on the borders of Gallia - there are no more obvious signs of the coming storm. Why are we interested in Gallia holding out? First, they are a solid resource base for us. Second, our shield. We acted somewhat recklessly, declaring ourselves in Orkney, which means that after Gallia falls, the Great Houses will turn their attention to us.
She looked into the faces of everyone present, paying particular attention to Harbinger's Trall. - It would be foolish to hope that Gallia stands on its own, or that after its fall we will be ignored. In this regard, we must prepare for a protracted defense and exert our influence on the course of this Campaign where it will be most important. Moreover, judging by what our scouts in Omega are observing, tensions between Bretonia and the Rheinland are beginning to arise. I do not exclude the possibility of attempts to put pressure on the Rheinland, so that they isolate Gallia completely, or, they will try to sabotage this supply channel on their own by direct intervention.
- We need to carefully plan our actions. We can't let any of us chill. As you can see, the front of action ahead of us is extensive.
From allies, we expect action to strengthen our own world. From brothers and sisters - plans and actions to undermine the course of a likely conflict.
She exhaled slowly and added, sitting back in her chair. - Let each of you have your say. Suggest ideas. Make plans. Because in this is the essence of the council of ours.
Posts: 6,566
Threads: 507
Joined: Nov 2014
Staff roles: Art Developer
Still relaxing in her slouched stance, resting her head upon her palm, she noticed Harbinger's lesser walk in, discreetly eyeing him under the mask as he took a seat. For a moment, she thought to herself, secretly hoping the observer would eavesdrop in to her mind - but a part of her remembered that he previously mentioned that he did not peer.
"So much for being busy, hmm? At least you fixed your appearance, you aren't wearing those preposterous ties, what awful shades. Maybe you cannot perceive those wavelengths anymore. I wonder how you can even see... "
Contrary to what Nympth said, Revenant relaxed even more when she said that no one could chill, now leaning forward to lean on the table against her elbow, resting her head within her palm still.
She spoke up, taking a slight inhale through her masks breather, preparing to speak for a while to stirr thoughts,
"It is a great shame that you could never truly reconcile between the other Tribe. Are you certain you cannot amend these ties? Your cooperation between them would have been beneficial. Especially with the Gatekeeper project to bridge between worlds. But do not forget that these gateways can act as a fallback, if you are overwhelmed. You have the advantage of long lasting travel, Humanity can only spend so much fuel and resources combing every star.
Now...
The Order are aware of your presence, it is only a matter of time before they come with their allies. Crayter, Bretonia, possibly the Maquis and maybe even the Outcasts. True, you could hole down - create technologies to create walls - forcefields, distraction technology, use psychic energies to disorient others - whatever, but it will not to be your benefit to idle too much. You are the prime target for Humanity - a rallying symbol for them to go against, when the masses wake up, you are in end times. These defences will crumble against the tides eventually. You need to be both proactive and reactive. Brute force - alone - will not win this war...
Yes, it is true that the Houses are beginning to conflict, it is their nature to clash for control, but that will turn the moment they feel threatened. Rheinland needs to maintain its connections to Gallia. Dissidence is a key for opportunity, perhaps a nudge and push in some of these 'rebellions' may distract the Houses for the time being. But beware, most of these underground organisations have links to the Order. Perhaps it may be of interest to get the Order to be even more despised, show them they are politically aligned, let their trust factor fall... "
Revenant figured that she was in the deep regardless, figuring that she may as well go all in on helping them in creating tools of mass genocide, now that she was being excluded from most places, the Order's influence now indirectly controlling other groups. Slowly, but surely, she was being alienated from places. Perhaps to the benefit of the Nomads assuming control over her. They already knew she was highly reluctant about Eris' and Melia's efforts of abducting her into the Hive, more so her disgust about their craving to genetically experiment upon her into an undesirable form - one that was limited in the ability to ponder. Revenant knew she could not give up the secrets she knew, even if she were to be outcasted from Humanity or banished from the Technocracy. Her goals still aligned her own kin, even if they highly disagree with her methods. The mad calling for knowledge and evolution, hearing the distant calling howling far from the Omicrons. The artifact she damaged her mind with, far before the affliction set in, had been changing her instinct over the years, perhaps even permitting her to find empathy for the Nomads.
There was no emotion in her upcoming speech, a large contradiction to her usual thoughtline of redemption, yet the chaos was something she was highly entertained by. There was some mild pain to be found in her thoughts, Harbinger would certainly feel it. She liked some of the Gallic society, how they did not allow industrialism to consume themselves entirely, some shame - mild regret even - was brought at the idea of establishing the path for their destruction.
"... How fares the concept I proposed before? The genetic time bomb? You need to keep expanding your powerbase in discretion... You will need to evolve against the Order's countermeasures - that much is inevitable. Even against Cybernetics. If necessary, I can help with figuring out the means of doing such...
Now I would have offered you means of getting close to the Buro to assert yourselves into them but, sadly their organisation has lost cohesion. I believe they had means of experimenting with individual control. The Gallic Navy has contacted me regarding working against your kind, I know that they have been working with the Order, perhaps we can start there with means of deception, I wonder if we can influence one of their own..."
She pondered for a moment, remembering the trial. She fixated her glare to Nympth, occasionally glancing at Harbinger's minion in the corner of her lens, unmoving her head. With her free hand, she fiddled with her finger, planting it against the surface of the desk, dragging it in ponder.
"What of the trial? Is there any boon that will benefit your kind from retrieving the objects of interest from the City?" Pausing for a moment, she began to think. She tapped the desk, now collapsing her palm to rest it upon the table, putting it flat.
"What is your end goals even? Are you seeking revenge? Or looking to reclaim your heritage?
... If the latter, to brute force your way back may not be prudent, it will only unite Humanity - it may be wise to set a ploy to make your enemies believe that they have won... Maybe nudge them towards the Sentinels. Perhaps even implent a red herring for the colonies to fight over..
Power is an alluring taste."
Her words seemed to be more explorative, trying to find means of intent, gauging the levels of power - how far they can push operations, what tools they have at their disposal, before truly formulating a solid plan. She was partially working in the dark, not knowing how vast the Vagrant powerbase was. What their weaknesses or strengths were.
Kessereya kept circling around the table, slowly, fixing her gaze upon a stranger she has never seen before, yet felt much familiar about him. Harbinger's thrall. From her expectations, someone like him wouldn't require something so mundane, and his presence at this meeting was quite an intrigue.
She was listening to every word spoken. It is true - the times of her kind were desperate. Not only were they cast out by their family, they were now inbetween the two nations that were like barrels full of gunpowder.
As Revenant spoke, Kessereya kept her gaze upon the masked attendant. Her ideas, while interesting, were lacking something.
"Your proposal is sound. We may not ever rely on mankind to fight itself forever. Yet, any sign of our existence here shall be reduced to a minimum. Our current location is too close. Unlike Moros and its void, isolated even from our deranged kin, yet not far enough from them.
She slowly floated behind Nymph, moving towards The Twin Lights, still facing Revenant as she continued with her line of thought.
"Ever since the beginning of this affair with the Tainted Ones, I insisted on leaving, travelling past the verge known to man and settling there, to grow in strength. To return when the mankind is at its weakest and reclaim what is rightfully ours. The place around us... - she looked around the room, emphasizing her speech upon Hascosay - should have been nothing more than an outpost."
She stopped behind Kimiko's seat, keeping the eye contact with Revenant.
"Our main priority should be attracting way less and less attention. Venturing into nearby voids and making our existence known there has already created much trouble for us. Make this place look as barren as possible, while it serves as a save heaven for our scouts as we find a proper alternative elsewhere. Outside. Else, the history might repeat itself."
She focused her gaze upon the center of the table. Like a ballet, a cloud of violet dust particles formed above, twirling in a hurricane as they assembled a familiar shape - a Nomad Jump Gate, in ruin, a sight familiar to that of the gates in Coronado and Omicron Minor systems.
"These were found and demolished. The one in the Void of Crayter shared the same mistake we are committing right now. - she switched her gaze towards Nymph for a few seconds. - It was too close to the hives of man."
She kept moving, slowly floating towards Revenant's seat. Whoever would desire to have their saying in this gathering, her head would be turned towards them, creating a feeling that they are being listened to.
While they were giving their speeches he seem somewhat disconnected from the conversation happening around him. He almost certainly knew who glanced at him but gave away no reaction at all.
"You look at the war and all you keep thinking is how to outsmart it." - he began, deliberately slow and taking pauses to garner reactions. "Well, one thing your kin aren't wrong about is the sheer brute force that can wipe all those meticulously arranged figures off the board. When you wage war on terms of your adversaries I'm afraid you'll only play catch up while everything else gets stacked against you."
"Regarding the remaining Archive in Bretonia space I think it is no longer about any trial to be held. Whether reclaiming it will make you accepted by other kin or not it doesn't matter. Not even the secrets within matter as much. As with any rising power you have to make a bold statement and come what may. Where as postponing the act will only carry you away into obscurity and irrelevance. Not the future you have envisioned for your tribe, is it?"
He made emphasis on the word "irrelevance" which seem to hold special meaning for the Nomads, treating it as existential subject, not even a life or death matter but something of a higher order.
"If you wish to heed my advice then take any ideas and projects you were exploring previously and re-assess them in the context of accomplishing this goal. Halt anything which does not align while accelerating the remaining selection. Of course you do not have production capabilities the other tribe possesses but you'd be remiss to believe the hand you've been dealt with only has the low rank cards. So take a closer look and play yours well. The Twisted Fates may have a surprise or two for you yet."
Mentioning fate in plural and attributing them may seem to be a curious wordplay to those unfamiliar with Dreamers caste (of which Harbinger was once a prominent mind until self-imposed exile) and their peculiarities. He paused with an unsettling smile before turning head to Kessereya when she passed nearby.
"On the other hand if you wish to forfeit and run away - no one will hold you back. But whether you search a new form of tranquility or seek vengeance you'll have neither if not having power to do so."
![[Image: QJkZw5f.png]](https://i.imgur.com/QJkZw5f.png)
