The Command Quarter's Ready Room is sparse, but open enough to accommodate several dozen people comfortably in seating. The center is dominated by a holographic display used for tactical and strategic analysis and planning of Astral operations. Currently it shows the strange hemispherical shape of Hallus station in orbit around rebuilt Anatoli. Liandri Corporate holdings operated the other quarters of the massive station hub and had rebuilt most of the damage on the jungle covered world once know as Nergal, before the Marduks were slain by the Brotherhood and the planet ravaged by war and zealots. External monitors arranged around the room display digital images of the outside of the station, with attention drawn to the docking bays and the comparatively small ships moored to the enormous hull.

The central display is teeming with commercial, civilian and military flights. The twin fractured moons of Erra and Irra gracefully following each other with their debris fields near the edge of what was considered to be Antolian Space.

Docked outside on the massive mooring spars are your ships, undergoing final checks as the new crew members are moved onboard and the older more experienced crew inducts them and makes sure the ships are ready for their new skippers. You have not had a chance to meet your men yet, but that can come soon enough. For now, you arrive one by one to the ready room which is otherwise empty at the moment.

For the first time in your careers, you are command officers and you will now be able to meet your peers. You have some time before the Master Star Commander arrives to greet you and give you your orders. There is a small table with water, caffe and some sort of local fruit as refreshments...

Oscar entered the ready room and was pleased to see he was the first in. That meant he could pick the best seat. Oscar made a beeline for the caffe and poured a generous helping in his cup, ensuring there was just enough creamer to neutralize the acidity that was the standard for Astral Service caffe. Refreshment in hand, Oscar brushed off some stray powdered creamer on his uniform and looked over the monitors. The small collection of ships was like a warm cup of caffe to him, his refuge in the chaos of the universe. He knew ships and he couldn't wait to command his own warship instead of some salavge ship in the backwaters of the Hegemony.

He continued to stare at the comings and goings as he waited for the others.

Arne strides in wearing service dress & combination cap; his smile is easy, and frame lanky, with broad shoulders, fair hair, and light eyes.  He gives a friendly nod to the other man sitting; he followed that lead and got some caffe; black, and tried the local fruit.  He walked over, eyes scanning the monitors, and then turned.  "Master Arne Karsen." he said by way of introduction, extending a hand.

Diana was the third to enter. Short, with a lithe build and a youthful face, she looked more like the daughter of one of the officers rather than one herself, and yet the markings on her uniform were unmistakably similar to those of the other two officers present in the room. Hair that was pale enough to be considered a grayish white was tied up in a bun behind her head.

She looked at Oscar and Arne, and gave them a quick nod in acknowledgement of their presence. Going by Arne's outstretched hands she assumed the two of them to be in conversation and, with her not knowing how long the two of them had been talking, it seemed her best not to stick her nose in. She went over to the small table, taking a plate and helping herself to some of the fruit before leaning back in her seat. Briefly, she placed the plate on her legs, freeing up her hands to pull at her cuffs, before taking a bite, plate close to ensure her uniform remained immaculate.

Oscar took the proffered hand and noted the other man was a Master as well. "Master Oscar Hargrave. Please to meet you. What ship is yours?", he asked and gestured back to the displays. He then looked at the woman that had come in, also a Mistress by the uniform. He gestured to her as well. "Join us! I promise I won't bite, but I can't speak for Master Karsen," he finished with a smile.

A scarred, older gentleman in uniform opens the door. Short but stocky, head of brown hair with streaks of white.

He does a quick scan of the room and it's occupants. His hands, neck and half of his face appear to have chemical burns and small shrapnel scars and cuts can be seen along his brow.

Satisfied he appears to be in the right place, he walks in and walks over to the caffe. He busies himself with preparing a cup but it is clear he is listening into the conversation.

In reply to Oscar Hargrave (msg # 5):

“The Sigfred.  I feel honored.   Tip of the Spear.  You?”

Arne smile wryly at Hargrave’s comment.  He raised a hand in a small gesture.  “I’ve heard there’s a few promotions.  New ships all the time.”