[center]Agartha
The chamber of the high Command[/center]

The voices of the five members of the High Command rung out against the vaulted ceilings of their chamber, all vieing for control of the conversation. All were seated around a circular stone table, which was situated in the center of the large amphitheater like room, each of their ornate chairs were seemingly crafted from a dark wood and fitted for the size of their occupant. Which was all to evident for the current speaker High Commander Selik, his massive Tor frame dwarfing the much lither form of the Sia Commander Nora who was seated next to him. "This is an outrage!" The Tor commander roared out, over the arguments, his huge hand gesturing towards the holo-emitter in the center of the table "A damnable outrage! Were not talking about soldiers, we are talking innocent civilians here. I dont know why we are even still discussing it!"

Nora sighed, looking to her fellow Commanders for any kind of support before speaking up, her light voice a much welcome change from the rough roar of Selik "We are still discussing it because if it was up to you, we would have already mustered a battle group with all the Legios and we would be marching to war." The Sia's eyes narrowed as she glared at Selik "Sometimes we need a bit of tact, and perhaps more information before we act too brashly." 

At this Selik leaned back in his chair, the Tor's massive frame turning to his nearby compatriot, he breathed in as if to voice a responce but was quickly shut down as another voice cut in from across the table, that of Talan Emonas. The aged human was quietly drumming his fingers on the arm rest of his chair as he spoke "I wouldn't Selik. You and I both know you have never won and argument with her. So why would your luck change now?"

This response elicited a quiet chuckle from amongst the gathered High Command. As the Tor commander began to speak once more, he was silenced as a new voice spoke out "Talan is giving you solid advice in this case Selik, it would probably be in your best interests to listen." 

Selik's face twisted into an almost annoyed look as he was shut down yet again. The look didnt stay long though as his head turned to join the other commander's glances to looking at the source of the new voice. He coughed slightly as his eyes came to rest on the human man that stood on the steps leading down to the table, the two masked death guard soldiers that flanked him only adding to his sense of presence. The man wore a slight side grin as he descended the rest of the stairs towards the last empty seat at the table. As his foot touched the ground of the amphitheater all the commanders rose in silence, their gaze fixed on the man.  "Dominus Aventus, we welcome your presence in this gathering." Commander Lorili spoke out as she an all her compatriots gave a short bow.

Nodding and bowing slightly in return, Aventus took his seat, his two guards moving to stand a small ways off, and as he sat the Commanders followed suit. "So" The Dominus began, resting his elbows on his chairs arms "Judging by the arguments that im sure can be heard halfway across the capital, Im guessing we haven't come to an agreement on how to approach the most recent.... announcement to come out of our dear neighbor."

A few of the Commanders exchanged looks and a cough was heard from one of their number, all this causing Lorili to roll her eyes "Honestly all of you." She affixed her eyes on Aventus "That would be quite the case my lord, in truth we have been here for the better part of two hours." She turned a glare to Selik before returning her gaze to the dominus "We were however about to take a final tally, as im sure we all want to get on with our days, and not waste yours." A murmur of agreement rose up from this final statement 

Aventus nodded "Well then lets see what you've come up with. By all means continue as if I wasn't here." He said with a wave of his hand as he sat back to watch the proceedings. 

Sighing, Lorili stood and began to speak using her hand to gesture as she spoke "Proposal one, made by esteemed Selik. We respond to this announcement with force, all in favor." Not even Selik moved to raise his hand, nodding Lorili made a note on a small holo-screen and continued "Proposal two, made by esteemed Nora. We denounce the queen's decree, and move to support any refugees fleeing the [i]"Empire"[/i]." At this Commander Nora raised her hand, as did Commander John. Once again Lorili marked the holo-screen "And finally, proposal three made by esteemed Talan. We do nothing." The silence in the room grew as all of the commanders glanced towards the Dominus, who sat with his mouth shut, but devoid of joking smile or smirk, his eyes narrowing at this last proposal. Deciding quickly, none raised their hands. Lorili sighed "It seems number two passes. Now how do we wish to go about this denouncement?" 

The commanders each began to ponder this last question as the scrape of wood on stone echoed out. Their heads turned quietly to Aventus who was now standing "I believe I can take it from here Commander Lorili."

Lorili nodded grimly and took her seat. Walking around the table Aventus continued "We need to be tactful, as well as direct. Yet we cannot show our hand too early, or we risk playing the part of the aggressor. That is why we do not publicly denounce her actions, send her a personal communication 'urging' her to reconsider perhaps. I leave that in your capable hands Commander Nora." Commander Nora nodded quickly and set about tapping away at a holo-screen that she pulled up in front of her.  

"At the same time I want more craft patrolling our borders with the Queen's empire, if any ships, and I mean ANY ships cross I want to know about it." John nodded in understanding, as he too began to tap away at a holo-screen "Commander Selik, Commander Talan. While we may not need our Legios just yet, I believe that it would not go awry to reinforce a few garrisons, keep it quieter than normal however, call them troop swaps or whatever you want to." Aventus came to rest behind Lorili's chair as he paused his speech, he reached out to lightly touch the back of the chair "As for you might I speak to you alone when time permits." he said in a whisper tone, before continuing in a much louder speaking voice "Now if that is all I do believe we should adjourn, as it seems you are all busy at the moment." No complaints were heard.

[hr]

[center]Aventus's Office
1 hr later[/center]

While large, the office of the Dominus was no where near as large as the stone amphitheater of the High Command, but it was infinitely more comfortable. This though crossed Aventus' mind as he poured himself and Commander Lorili a glass of a dark spirit. Crossing the carpeted flooring, his footsteps made very little sound ash he handed one of the glasses to the High Commander, who sat in a chair across from the Dominus's desk, where he decided to lean as he sipped on his drink with a slight smirk. Lorili followed suit, but spoke immediately afterwords "So im guessing you didn't just invite me here for pleasantries and drinks. So what is it that my Dominus requires of me?" she asked in a very business like tone

Aventus chuckled slightly "Straight to the point then, I honestly appreciate that." He swilled his drink once, before sipping and talking "What I need isn't from you per say, it is from you Skulks." Lorili's eyebrow raised at the mention of the Skulks, but she allowed Aventus to continue "To be quite to the point as well, I want more eyes on our neighbors. To that end I want a couple teams of Skulks to infiltrate the Empire and begin gathering information, purely passive reconnaissance for now, but I also want to have the option to have them go into a more active stance if need be. As for the Dominion, devote a few Skulks to it, but keep them very low profile. No sense in poking a charnel hound that has ignored us thus far." 

Lorili looked down into her drink, the amber liquid shimmering ever so slightly, before locking eyes with Aventus and taking a sip "Consider it done my lord."