[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/wrSFmchm/Zeppelin-Art-2.webp[/img]
[h2]Chapter 4: The Empire of the Clouds[/h2]
[hider=Theme Music][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6POUitQf8v8[/youtube][/hider][/center]

[h3][i]Some days earlier...[/i][/h3]

"So you think it's a bad plan?" Zoe asked her cousin from where she was slumped in the plush chair by the fire in the drawing room.

Max stood leaning against the lintel, a cigarillo clamped pensively in his mouth.  He took it out, "I said I think it's insanity... different things."

Zoe raised an eyebrow, "You might need to explain that one to me, Max."

"It's our job, cousin to inspire the people. To create a legend that becomes a part of the national myth and inspires our people to both look up to us and strive to be better than what they are," he shrugged as if to acknowledge this might be a uniquely Mittelandische outlook, "We must lead decisively and from the front.  This is the right we have to wear a crown... so yes, your plan is insanity.  Your Ministers who voted you Princess Regent would be horrified... but it might be what your country needs at this moment.  The Empire of the Clouds could become a new Hasikos legend in a time when Inbur needs to be inspired... or you could end up dead.  That is the gamble."

"That's a very long-winded way of saying you'd do what I'm proposing," Zoe remarked, stretching her back in the chair.  It was very comfortable.

"Try not to die cousin," Max replied as he took a drag from the cigarillo, "You'll also need to look the part," he paused for a heartbeat, "I have some ideas."

[hr]
[h3][i]Present day...[/i][/h3]

There had been little information given to anyone since the 'Carter incident'.  Somewhat unbelievably for some, Zoe Spirou, it turned out was actually 'Princess Philazoea Hasikos', the youngest of the Emperor's children.  Even though she hadn't trusted anyone with the information, the fact that the crew had been involved in securing the safety of the only one of the Emperor's children not in Calarian custody had assured that the crew were treated as heroes.  Zoe hadn't been around to answer any questions though and the group had been left cooling their heels in a hotel...

That was until today.  When a politely worded message arrived for everyone, asking them to join 'The Princess Regent' on 'The Empire of the Clouds'.  Apparently she'd named the airship.

The ship seemed to be in the process of being retrofitted by the Mittelandische army when they arrived and they group were greeted with a degree of confusion by the officer in charge, a young Lieutenant, didn't seem in any mood to question the Royal Invitation.

They were left waiting for around 10 minutes.  Long enough for things to begin to be a bit awkward before Zoe abruptly appeared on the deck.

She looked different.

Some time in the last couple of days she'd managed to have a khaki Inburian army uniform made in her size, complete with Marshall's rank insignia and a similar long brown leather jacket to the one Aden had seen her cousin in.  On this occasion she was escorted by a half dozen Mittelandische troopers.

The Lieutenant snapped to attention, eyes going slightly wide, "[i]Your Highness![/i]" he replied, speaking in Mittelandische.

"[i]At ease,[/i]" she replied fluently in the same tongue, waving a hand casually, "[i]Do you have all the gold off?[/i]"

"[i]We do,[/i]" the Lieutenant confirmed, "[i]The ship is loaded for the next mission, we are just waiting on final inspections.[/i]"

"[i]Good,[/i]" she nodded, "[i]Disembark your crew, we will be taking off now.[/i]"

"[i]Your Highness, I have ord -[/i]"

Zoe held up a finger, enough to quiet the quailing Lieutenant, "[i]And now you have new ones.  This is an Inburian vessel and I am Inbur.[/i]"  He looked unconvinced, "[i]You can't be blamed for this.  But I am going to have to ask you, politely, to get off my ship.[/i]" she turned to her guards, "[i]Pass the word to release the lines.[/i]"

She then turned to her companions, switching to Inburian, "Captain Arkadios, the bridge is yours.  Mister Naesandoral, you have the helm.  Set a course due East towards the Morktree." She spoke with the absolute certainty that people would do as she commanded... "I'll explain exactly what we're doing in a moment.  For now, everyone to your stations."