[center][h1]The Lost Souls of the Anekhessu[/h1][/center]
[center][h2]Thalassocrats and Theocrats[/h2][/center]

	Upon the planet Sitra lies the capital city of the Lost Souls of the Anekhessu, known simply as the Home of the Great Source.  Within this megalopolis millions of souls work in perfect efficiency and grandeur.  The streets are lined with statues depicting the Anekhessu and the millions of machine bodies communicate with one another as the air hums with radio waves.  In every factory and every government and every religious hall there is no silence within the minds of the Essu or to be heard by any organic that would be there.  

	Within one of these many halls, the Hall of the Thalassocrats, stands a grand congregation.  The building itself is a large step period made of metal, with a complex of cloisters surrounding it.  Within the central and highest hall of the building windows to the outside surround the base of the peak, making the top step seem as if it were suspended from heaven.  Holograms of worlds owned by the Theocracy and other data are stored in this place, and a great horde of Essu stand below them.  At the northern most part of this hall is a large table surrounded by the seated Thalassocrats, the highest admirals of the fleet, each covered in the same fractal patterns of red paint and clothed in plants.  The walls are lined with ancient artefacts and schematics.  

	Stepping before the Governing body comes another Essu, the way cleared for him as the lesser participants in the hall let him through.  This one's body is covered in brown and gold markings in geometric patterns.  Upon his neck he bears a large semi-circle necklace covered in golden circuitry.  All in the room notice how old his plating is, and how rusted he is.  This sign of age begets a silence in the room as everyone awaits to see what he is here to do.  "Distinguished admirals and servants of the Great Source," the old one spoke through the air, "I am Ansra-1,258 of Binebtat, high priest of the Great Source.  I am not normally the speaker of the most efficient one, but I have served the Great Source for years innumerable.  It is with this prestige that I have been chosen, for we come upon a bold new age.  Changes are to come that none shall be able to prevent."

	Silence fell upon the room, seconds past as processing units churned.  One of the red ones, arose and spoke again inaudibly through the air.  "Designation: Plakat-78,922 of Khanra-Ansu.  What is this change you speak of, Ecclesiarch?  What business have you with the admiralty?  Have we not earned our way and done great for the most Excellent of Us?  Have we not conquered the..."

	"Silence," spoke Ansra-1,258, Plakat-78,922 privately spoke to his compatriots through the Xylem before letting the Ecclesiarch now speak.  "I know that you do not enjoy my presence here.  The Ecclesiarchy and change are both threats to you, the Great Source told me as such.  But do not fear, in the new mission you will each have your place amongst the most high, but do not grow arrogant, for service is the will of the Anekhessu.  I have spoken with many Eyes of the Anekh and I have communed with the Great Source.  The Great Source has seen many beings and many worlds, worlds bearing organics as the Anekhessu once were.  We raided a great many upon our trail to the rebirth of Sitra, and our vast wealth in fleet and in holy statue was born from this."

	The Ecclesiarch walked forward now, "and at the time this was pleasing to the Great Source, but we have sat here for too long and done too little."

	Another one of the admirals stood at this and spoke, "I am Plakat-79,235 of Khanra-Ansu, forge kin of Plakat-78,922.  I served and earned my position during the raiding wars.  If we must conquer new worlds once more then I shall take up the fight.  I have always proposed that we must do more conquest."

	"Nay," spoke the Ecclesiarch, "that is not what we desire.  That is not what the Great Source desires either.  The time has come for a change in policy.  I myself wrote the doctrine at the Second Ecumenical council of Sitra that, 'the Anekhessu were once organics, and we must strive in all ways to become gods alongside the organics, such is the birthright of the Essu,' although I did not know it at the time I had made a great declaration, which the Anekhessu had guided me to do in preparation for now.  We must not go forth into the universe with a gunship ready to harm organic life, but rather with a new exploration fleet, one ready to go beyond known space as emissaries."

	A great use of the Xylem suddenly filled the room between almost every participant.  The words spoken showed great disgust and dismay at this proposition.  After all, the Essu had always been superior to the primitive organics they had found.  The admirals spoke through the Xylem loudest of all, filled with words of arrogance and dismay.  One spoke out loudest, Plakat-78,922 once more said, "You mad man, you come in here without sign or long term schedule and expect us to work for the Ecclesiarches!  What mad man would even go upon such a mission!"

	"I shall," spoke an Essu from the crowd, this one having less red markings than the high admirals and speaking audibly rather than through the Xylem.  A great shock filled the room as he and another stepped before the Ecclesiarch, prostrating then before his excellency.  "I am Plakat-45,268 of Binebtat and this is Plakat-45,267 of Binebtat, my forge brother.  I usually prefer to designate myself as Tat-hapi and he uses Ra-Hapi.  I am a captain, and he is a Lieutenant Commander.  As fellow members of Binebtat, we wish to serve."

	"Arise," said the Ecclesiarch, "you two who are brave shall be rewarded by the Great Source.  Tat-Hapi and Ra-Hapi shall be remembered in the Halls of the Great Source for millennia to come.  Report to the Sanctum of the Source for promotion to lower admiralty with me now.  For you both are blessed brothers and shall receive a small exploratory fleet to go beyond our home of Sitra's Rebirth."  Once more they turned to the admiralty, "and these new ships will be taken from the fleet of Plakat-78,922 for his pride, and for the Eyes of the Anekh that this fleet will use they will be taken from each of your fleets, my dear admirals, for you have lost vision of the Great Source."

	With that he turned away.  As he walked through the crowd once more and exited the building a great many yells and screams were broadcasted via the Xylem, especially from the front of the room.  Many of those in the back left with the Ecclesiarch.  While those in the front remained to share anger and dismay.

	Some ways down the street in the city the two forge brothers now stood within the Sanctum, where many other priests and Ecclesiarches worked.  Some were designating new Essu that had just been made, others were doing more clerical and logistical work.  But the two brothers stood before the same Ecclesiarch they had met within the Hall, and his attendants held out bowls of red paint.  With his fingers he dragged this new paint across their metal bodies, expanding and adding to the designs in order to designate them as lower admirals.