As the young Heroes gathered and milled about, they were suddenly cut off from whatever they were doing by a siren and a loud whirring as the great launching bay doors at the end of the room opened. A forceful wind swept through the bay, and as the double doors slide away to reveal an opening, dominated by what was unmistakably a Consortium ship. It hovered outside the door as it opened, nose facing outward, and when the warning sirens cut off it slowly taxied backwards into the bay, extended its landing gear, and lowered itself to the floor gently.

It was a very square, angular vehicle, and not much bigger than the average school bus. The flight wings were folded up to the side, and the lift jets were currently rotated downward to allow for vertical take off and landing. As the rotors whined to a stop, the back hatch opened up and out stepped Lord Vull in full armor. He surveyed the room, noted that the Monks had seen fit to send more Heroes than either of the other Realms. He quietly sought an excuse to remove one from the mission, and his eyes immediately locked on a Monk who apparently felt that being shirtless prepared him for battle. 

"You," Vull barked across the bay at him, removing his helmet. "Just what kind of combat gear is that? Do you have no idea where you're going right now? Get out of my sight!" The young Monk opened his mouth to argue, but Vull shouted him down, "I don't want to hear it, if you're still in the Bay in five seconds I'll see you tried for treason!"

As the Monk fled the bay, Vull seemed to calm down instantly. "Alright kiddies, as you know, the heads of the Realms have been considering a fresh wave of requests from states who want Consortium protection. One state in particular, the city of South Haven, has had a sudden change of heart and is now ready to accept fealty to the Protectorate." He paced in front of the gathered Heroes as he talked, helmet under his arm, not looking at them. "There are concerns that their change of heart might be temporary, perhaps brought on by fear of some encroaching threat. We can't accept them into the Protectorate, only to have them refuse the Consortium's Choosing," he faced them, finally, looking between them, but lingering the longest on Arkos. 

"This is primarily a recon mission. You are to observe the situation around South Haven. Identify and quantify possible threats to the city-state. And, quietly, to observe their apparent feelings toward your presence. We feel it is necessary to determine whether they are truly willing to accept fealty before we will extend the Protectorate's reach, especially for a state so far below the Last Line. South Haven is outside of our standard communication range. You will be on your own. I expect you to make good decisions and to properly represent the Consortium. Remember that reinforcements are at least three hours away, if things get hairy, you are to retreat back to the Last Line. You have no obligation toward these people. They are not under the Protectorate yet. Don't get sentimental. Any questions?"