[h3][color=00aeef][u][b]Bridge of ECS Righteous Truth - 1st Fleet of Faithful Intent, Edge of Ecumene Space[/b][/u][/color][/h3] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d4/84/96/d48496680b13fcb00ffecbe555288aeb.jpg[/img] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Admiral, a single fighter has entered the Fleet’s defensive perimeter.” Talaran walked up to the screen, and watched the tiny incoming blip on the bridge officer’s monitor as it drew closer. “Is that our guest?” There was silence for a few seconds as the officer verified the incoming data, before he turned to look back at the Admiral with a affirming nod. “Confirmed. It’s a Resurrectionist craft, and its transmitting the encoded greeting specified in our message.” “Very well. Escort the craft to Hanger 43B. I’ll greet the ambassador myself.” “Yes sir.” As Talaran walked off the bridge, the bridge officer began hailing the craft, and opened a direct communication line. “Welcome to Ecumene 1st Carrier Fleet [i]Faithful Intent[/i], ambassador. Escort fighters will direct you to the waiting hanger onboard the Carrier [i]Righteous Truth[/i]. The Lord Admiral is awaiting you.” Within a short time, the promised fighter escort arrived and began to escort the craft towards the Fleet. Despite the immensity of the seven Heavy Carriers within the fleet, which dwarfed the great many smaller corvette class ships that swarmed around them, the carriers themselves seemed considerably smaller than the Flagship Carrier [i]Righteous Truth[/i] that lay at the fleet’s center. As the pride of The Ecumene navy, it was a veritable mobile command platform and it was towards it that the fighters directed the Ambassador’s ship. Once the craft had successfully docked within the appropriate hanger and the ambassador exited, a small group which had been awaiting his arrival stepped forward. The group consisted only of Talaran himself along with two Seraphim Honor Guards and the lone High Orionic Priest, Raynald. Although there was none of the fanfare or elaborate ceremony which might accompany an official state visit, the fact that this was anything but “official” necessitated the simplicity of the greeting. They were all still quite elaborately dressed however. With the High Priest being considerably more so, garbed as he was in flowing red and white robes, decorative helm, and carrying a staff that was the symbol of his authority. Talaran was considerably more moderately dressed in martial aspect, with a long buttoned side cape atop a well pressed white naval uniform. The two Seraphim guards were dressed in full combat gear, and carried their railgun rifles slung around their shoulders. “Welcome aboard the [i]Righteous Truth[/i] ambassador. I am Admiral Talaran Victrix, commander of this Fleet and High Lord of The Ecumene Navy. The individual next to me is his holiness Raynald Dagenais, High Priest of Orion.” “I’m glad to see our message came through,” the High Priest, Raynald gave a slight bow, his elaborate vestments flowing around him as he did so, “On behalf of Orion’s disciples and the Archpriestess, I welcome you as well. If you would be so kind as to follow us.” Raynald led the way as the Admiral walked beside the ambassador and the two guards through the winding corridors of the massive ship. The High Priest’s staff resonated across the smooth floors and echoed around them as he struck the floor while he walked. After traveling for some time, the group came to a comfortable looking antechamber, well furnished, luxurious, and quite obviously for receiving guests and dignitaries. “Wait outside,” Talaran commanded the guards, who nodded in reply and sharply spun around with martial flare to stand guard outside the sliding door. Talaran sat first in one of the cushioned sheets, followed by the High Priest. “We can speak here for a time, afterwards you can proceed on into the sanctuary,” Raynald said, and he motioned towards a pair of large elaborately engraved doors on the opposite end of the room that bore artistic depictions of Orion’s legendary life, “What happens in there then is between you and The Conclave.” As if on cue, an android servitor emerged from a sideroom, carry a tray of various fruits and candied delights to be offered to the waiting trio. Gently the tray was set before them, and Talaran plucked out a particularly delicious looking fruit. Raynald refrained, and waved his hand to indicate that he would not have any. “Your war with the Scorpines, it’s become quite the talk of the Coalition membership. How do your people fare against those….threats?” Raynald asked, his voice tinged with unmistakable disgust as he said the word ‘Scorpine’ almost as if he was repulsed at having to pronounce it. "We've heard scattered reports that you're mounting a successful counter-offensive. Although I imagine it may be some time before the Scorpines are broken completely," Talaran added, as he withdrew a small candied confection from the plate and popped it into his mouth, "We've received communications from various Scorpine military sources requesting to know why the Fleet is stationed so close to their territory. We've provided the same response each time: the Fleet of Faithful Intent is here to ensure that the war does not spill over into the Ecumene. Nothing more. A deterrent if you will. I'm not surprised they are uncomfortable however, considering the reputation of this fleet amongst non-human elements of the galaxy." The servitor returned once more and brought a second tray, containing a varied number of liquid refreshments. Talaran gladly accepted one and took a sip of the blue tinged beverage: a type of fruited drink that was popular amongst the Ecumene's upper class. "The Admiral had previously been assigned to the Cygnus V system," Raynald explained, "The fleet was deployed to crush the resistance against humanity there, and ensure it fell once again back into the rule of the heirs of Orion's Mantle. The treachery of the Alien can indeed be a devious prospect. Thankfully, the full firepower of the fleet's carriers made them see the error of their ways." "A philosophical question Ambassador, if you would be so kind as to indulge me while we wait for your audience to begin," Raynald continued, "Where do you see the path of humanity's destiny leading? What is our purpose here now and throughout these long years of our existence? From the mists of our earliest days, through the misguided domination of the Empire, to now: where is our path taking us?"