[quote][i]"Oh Valinos, the holy star of our unity, our binding home within the void of space. I swear to protect the children born of your warm glow, and to carry your light with me through the vastness of space. To our guiding Arche-Councilors, I am to be both their shield, and their blade when it is required of me. As shall my vessel become their lance, to be the first, and the last to strike against those that would threaten our way of life. For my crew, I shall be their guiding figure, just as the Arche-Council is to me. May they believe in me, just as I have believed in you. In times of dire, we shall commit to our fullest. As their captain, I shall accept the consequences that follow and learn from them. I shall bear the burdens of leadership.

Oh Valinos, with the Arche-Council as my witness, I swear to you; I [b]will[/b] return our people to their rightful home."[/i]
-The Valtorian Oath of Naval Command.[/quote]
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Violent, destructive, harrowing, grim.. these are a few ways one could describe the 'final moments' the [i]Pale Quiver's[/i] last patrol. What followed was an eerie calm. Something only the dead would truly expect after such a traumatic encounter, but as the light Frigate was ejected from the wormhole, this fracture in space.. they would find out that they were still very much alive. The ship groaned, the lights flickered for sometime, slowly but surely she would come alive once more. Aboard the bridge, the room was heavy. Perhaps most were going through shock brought on by the ordeal, or maybe it was just the simple fear of the unknown. Whatever the reason, it was clear that they needed a leader, now more than ever. Unfortunately for Taris, the man knew that nothing he could ever say would bring a tremendous amount of light to the situation, but he still had to try. As his hand hovered over the intercom panel on his command chair, his thoughts would be interrupted abruptly by a shout.

[b]"Asha!"[/b] the Helmsman shouted as he leaped from his seat, hurrying to her side. The young navigator had collapsed to the floor, blood had been draining slowly out her nose. [b]"She's.. she's just unconscious I think.. sir. Sir!?"[/b] He called back to his captain. Taris heard the words, but he felt a thousand light years away. Everything was still sinking in for him. The heavy thuds of metal boots would fill the bridge as the tall Battlemaster came through the sliding door. He'd quickly shoot a glance towards the unconscious Star-Seer, and snap his fingers towards the two riflemen that accompanied him.

[b]"Get her down to the infirmary. Now!"[/b] Gregor barked through his gruff, dry sounding voice. The two soldiers gave a quick nod to their commander, and rushed to the aid of the Star-Seer. They hoisted her up and carried her deeper into the ship. With that dealt with, the Helmsman returned to his post, doing his best to not attract the gaze of the veteran soldier. Gregor however would return his attention to the captain. [b]"By the holy light of Valinos, this would have never happened if we were still under Jeckin's command."[/b] The Battlemaster glared towards his supposed 'Captain.' This remark seemed to bring Taris back to reality.

[b]"If you wanted Jeckins in that chair instead of me Gregor, perhaps you should have been by his damn side!"[/b] Taris yelled back towards the tall man, quickly shooting up from his seat to face him.
[b]"I was fighting his battles.. That's more than what can be said for you [i]Taris[/i].."[/b] A growl escaped the Battlemaster, his hand clenching into a fist.

Zarwen continued to keep his eyes forward at the several screens in front of him that were broadcasting different angels around the exterior of the ship. He wanted no part in the heated argument going on behind him, so he kept himself looking busy as he monitored the several screens and panels before him on the dashboard. Lights were starting to turn on again, indicating that systems were coming back online, so Corvin must have been doing something right down there in engineering. By this point, the lights had stopped flickering on the bridge, and it was safe to assume that would be the case throughout the ship. Suddenly the monitor displaying local sensors came back online, the pulse displaying several unidentified vessels around them.

[b]"Captain. Multiple unknowns on the radar!"[/b] Zarwen excitedly stated behind him. The Captain and the Battlemaster seemed to be at each other's throats. Taris had a tight grip on the hilt of his sword, ready to unsheathe his blade. At the sound of his helmsman, his grip loosened. [b]"Multiple unknowns..?"[/b] The captain replied, a hint of worry in his voice. [b]"Have we managed to get everything back online!? Weapons, engines, shields..?"[/b]

Zarwen shook his head. [b]"Just engines sir, I think commu-"[/b] Before he could finish, sure enough communications had come back online, and the bridge filled with the audible broadcasts coming from the surrounding vessels. The crew within the bridge went quiet as the listened to the several local broadcasts. Once the messages ended, the bridge crew turned to face their Captain, who let out a heavy sigh. 
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[b]"It sounds as if they come in peace.. By the divine star this could be the blessing we were looking for-"[/b] Taris began, before he was interrupted by the Battlemaster. [b]"Come in peace? Bah.. You know full well what outsiders are capable of! Peace is the last thing on these barbarians minds. You'd rather coat your sword in pen ink rather than bloody it in combat wouldn't you!?"[/b] Gregor loudly interjected.
[b]"You'd have me compromise the safety of this vessel just to uphold your bloodthirsty honor?" The captain scolded back. "I know full well what outsiders are capable of.. which is why I ask that you leave this bridge and organize the soldiers in case not everyone is in favor of peace.."[/b] The Battlemaster gave one last cold glare towards the captain, before bowing his head and turning towards the exit.

[b]"Helmsman, open up a local channel.. it's time to contact these outsiders."[/b] The captain ordered. Promptly after, a channel was opened, and ready to broadcast his message.

[quote][color=6ecff6]"Attention outsiders, this is Captain Markurio of the V.V. Pale Quiver. We are the true loyalists of the Valinosian Pact, and we hear your messages of peace. So long as you refrain from committing acts of barbarism, you have my word that my vessel's weapons shall be powered down. I have hopes that you outsiders are different, but make no mistake; We will retaliate if you prove to be just like the rest of them." [/color][/quote]

Zarwen would mute the channel, his eyes still on the monitors before him. [b]"Helmsman, you're in charge for now. I'm going to check on Asha, and see if we can figure out where we are exactly. Do your best to not throw us into another war please."[/b] The captain stated to the Helmsman with a weak chuckle before heading off.
[b]
"Aye Aye Captain.."[/b]