“The Harald Wartooth. Glad to be in a true warship! At least one that I wasn’t leveraging out of an asteroid,” he said and looked at the folks that had started to pile in. “Seems like we are in good company.”

A wry smile comes across the older man's face. In an accent immediately recognizable as fairly Bothislian he jokes

"Ah...iz that where these metal beasts come from? Asteroids? Back on Both I waz told that when a mother and father cruizer loved each other very very much. . ." He says, pouring something out of a flask into his caffe. The smell of cardamom fills the air. "Though, I wonder which way involves less clean-up?"

An arched eyebrow in silent mirth

Oscar laughed. "Not sure, but I know one is probably a lot quicker than the other." Upon hearing the accent, Oscar smiled and extended a hand. "Oscar Hargrave, of Cova Sparka. Please to see another Bothislian around." Oscar's own accent was slight but there is you listened.

"Zazan mysh, Cova Veno." He says taking Oscar's hand in a very firm handshake, polite by Bothislian standards. "Cova Sparka eh? Ever meet a Pilot by name of Gigan? That zerrok still owes me an ejector seat."

- "Seems there's more than a few Bothislians climbing the ranks today."

Diana looked up, placing the empty plate back on the table before getting up and straightening her clothes. Her own accent was there, but faded, the way it did when it had been away from their homeworld for a long time.

- "You'd think the cities were overpopulated."

She began walking in the direction of the small gathering around the caffe machine, offering a handshake of her own when she was close enough to.

- "Diana Hersson, Cova Thakun."

Oscar cocked an eyebrow but shook his head. "Not sure if I remember, but the name sounds familiar. Who knows if it was just one I heard in passing. You know how the Cova life can be," he commented and smiled while he shook Diana's hand. He turned and presented Arne. "This is Master Karsen, unfortunately I'm not sure if he has a Cova," Oscar said as he chuckled at his own joke.

Diana chuckled in response.

- "Oh, i know. I don't have a lot of memories from there though. I'd tell you where it is, but i'm none too sure myself anymore, and with our people's tendency towards secrecy, i doubt they'd share that information willingly."

She gave an apologetic shrug, continuing shaking hands with the others as they were being introduced.

Pausing at the ready room entrance, Volsung used the moment it took to iris open to tug his uniform straight and brush a half-imagined piece of lint from it. He heard the muted conversation within, let out a breath as he realised he was the least early of the new captains. No matter, he hoped, painting on a smile as those there were revealed, and him with it.

Lean and tall, like most Volarans, his temples and neck were marked with the tattoos and sub-dermal circuitry that was common there - the latter faintly bluish in the light they emitted. Subtle cyberware, top of the range, like the jack at the base of his neck. Otherwise, he was unremarkable in the same Ship Master's uniform as the rest gathered, his hair and beard dark and close-cropped; his eyes brown and friendly; his skin burnished, folk joked, by the forges and shipyards that his homeworld of Volaris was known for.

He smiled easily, and stepped into the room, moving to where the others chatted, waiting for a pause into which he introduced himself, "Volsung, commanding the Angantyr and before that XO on the Franklin". His eyes flicked to where their vessels were docked on the screen, his smile twitching further in anticipation as he did

He omitted his surname, knowing the others would read it from his uniform and hoping that omission distancing him from House Takagara, at least enough to establish himself first
This message was last edited by the player at 06:20, Sun 19 Jan 2020.

In reply to Oscar Hargrave (msg # 13):

Arne smiled thinly “No ‘Cova’ for me; I am of House Lofót, sworn to House Æsgar, and am from Skyward.” He gave a small bow, and click his heels together.  “At your service.”

“Being the last son of a cadet house, though...well, it’s a good thing Im an Astral Force man.” He smiles again, more naturally, genuinely.

Diana tried to place Arne's accent and failing, though the answer as to why came shortly afterward in his introduction to them. She knew the Houses, it was common knowledge, especially for those that meant to make more than a local career, but that was not quite the same as being familiar with every detail of them.

- "Skyward, that's House Æsigr's Throneworld, right? Never been to the Core Worlds before, but they own Garesh, if i recall?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:47, Sat 18 Jan 2020.

The five of you talked in the quietness of the Ready Room, lit mainly by monitors and holographic backscatter and only the sounds of your voices and the soft tones from the main tactical display filled the room. The local fruit, a pear analog was syrupy sweet with a faint aftertaste of chilis that strangely blended well with the bitterness of the caffe.

Between words, the door tone sounded and the hatch slid open revealing two figures. The first, a tall and slender woman, looking more at home at a haut coutre runway than in a starship. She wears the same black-and-red uniform of the Indari Astral Forces that you do, but her cap is nowhere to be seen and her dress coat is opened unconventionally and hanging over her shoulders, long arms hanging beneath the mantle. Her collar is pointedly turned down and you can all see the white puckered skin of the vicious scar over her jugular. She bears it proudly like a badge of honor, marring her otherwise flawless complexion.

You're looking at a legend. Years ago she commanded the INS-Shackleton and encountered the Brotherhood in the Moril system where they started the war, attacking an Ranger Corps ship unprovoked. Despite a mutiny by UB infiltrators, she survived and they were able to drill back to friendly space and their efforts opened up the first front of the war. She looks older than the holopics you've seen, there's a tiredness fighting with her pride in her posture but as your eyes fall on her she subtly straightens, proudly bearing her shining Master Star Commander Insignia on her coat.

A woman behind her calls "Officer on Deck!" Your cue to stand to attention and salute your CO.

Zazan fluidly sets the caffe down and pops a clean salute. He does not immediately recognize her at first glance but soon realizes he remembers those scars.

He was still in service to house Solune at the time and those scars were still raw in the screens of the Eastern Command situation room.

If only he knew then how much that exact moment would change his life.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Sat 18 Jan 2020.

Straightening, Volsung turns to face the Master Star Commander and snaps a crisp salute - which he holds, pleased not to be juggling caffe and snacks

At the sliding open of the hatch, Diana had glanced in the direction of the door, and as such when the officer walked in her body was already moving into attention even while her entrance was being announced. Spotting something next to her, she leaned over slightly in the direction of the group, whispering something below her breath for them to hear.

- "Not indoors."

She didn't think anything of it, given the Master Star Commander's fame it was normal to be a little nervous, and she felt that had she not checked the regs the day before she'd likely have joined them in saluting, but there was little to be done about that now. She straightened her back again, standing at an impressive 5 ft 4, waiting to be given the 'at ease' by the officer that had just stepped into the room.

Oscar bolted upright with the others, though not as crisply or fluidly as some of the others. His hand was already headed up before he heard Diana but her words killed the gesture before he completed it. Instead, he curtly returned his hand by his side and gave a slight nod to Diana. One way or the other, no one would be singled out.

Essena Valna, recipient of the Prince's Cross in Gold with Galaxies, one of the highest military honors bestowed upon a member of the Astral Forces, enters the Ready Room and returns your salute with a sharpness that surprises some of you, given her somewhat disheveled appearance. "At ease, captains." Both captain and skipper are informal terms often used to describe anyone who commands a vessel, regardless of their actual rank. Only once you reach the rank of Novarch would anyone refer to you as admiral rather than captain in an informal manner. The officer that follows her in attendance bears the insignia of a Star Commander, and seems to be MSC Valna's second-in-command.

The decorated war hero strides to the podium and turns to face all of you while the junior officer flanks her standing at parade rest.

"Ladies and Gentleman. It is an honor to have you with us today. You do not know me yet, but those who do know that I am not one to stand on ceremony and I have little patience for formality." Her face is somber and mask like through this speech. "However, the promotion to a command rank and the assignment to your first ship is a sacred rite of passage for all officers of the Astral Force and you are no exception. The Gods of War and Black Sky look down upon us each and every time we make these sacred appointments, so offer a silent prayer to them for your success and the success of Prince's Astral Forces."

She closed her eyes for a moment as if in silent contemplation.

"Now, each of you come forth and receive your insignia and assignment. Master Hargrave..."

She lists you off alphabetically, as you approach the podium, she affixes the crossed blades and rocket torch of the Ship Master to your uniform, removing the old torch-and-star of Ensign and placing it in your left hand. She states the name of your new ship's name, registration number and its class as well as the year it was commissioned to the fleet. She offers each of you an opportunity to say something to the group before moving on to the next promotion...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Sat 18 Jan 2020.

Oscar approached the living legend, issuing a crisp salute to receive his orders and new rank. “This is an honor, ma’am,” he said before turning to the others. ”I promise to keep our ships clean and tight and in the fight. I already pray to The Leader, so here’s to hoping St. Jim doesn’t get tired of me!”, Oscar concluded and stood to the side to let the other captains have there honor.

When Zazan is given the opportunity to speak he gazes at the docked ships on the screen and says It never cross my mind that I would see such a day, when I would be favored with such a grand vessel. Not when I was a young duct rat, hiding from de bigger boys. Nor when  I was older and studying de schematics in school. Nor when I had grown and donned enviro-suits to keep Both safe. No not even four years ago when I joined Astral, and got in da float for de first time.

Turning to Essena, he concludes.
I can only look forward to what future lies beyond here."

Diana stepped forward when it was her turn, pausing briefly when she stood before Master Star Commander Valna, her voice trying to be clear, but nevertheless sounding a little too reverently than she would have liked.

- "Ensign Diana Hersson reporting, ma'm."

It was, in a way, barely above a mumble in volume, and she listened to the details of the ship she was to be appointed to. It was a corvette, much as she expected -- they didn't hand out carriers to unproven captains, after all! -- and listening to the others had her note she had the only Interceptor model. Two Karvis however, from the sound of it Command was anticipating ship to ship combat then? Still, that was of later concern, and when given the opportunity, spoke first to Varna, before following up with something addressing the group as a whole.

- "I will live up to the Hegemony's expectations... I shall be looking forward to working with you."

Last of the captains called forward, Volsung received his pips from the Master Star Commander quietly and with reverence. He knew her story, her sacrifice, and her presence here spoke to the sacred moment she had spoken of. When she spoke of their commands - name, registration and class - he felt the weight of it settle upon his shoulders. He had served, commanded but for the briefest moment but fuelled on adrenalin and desperation. Now, the fate of ship and crew sat with him, and he itched to know how they would first serve so he might rush and meet all three, ship, crew and fate.

He received his pips, met MSC Valna's measuring gaze and took a breath before speaking, "Shortly we will be a squadron, a wolf pack on the frontier from our vessels if I am not mistaken. We will rely upon one another, as we have whilst we have served the Astral before, and the Hegemony will rely on us as captains. I have offered my silent prayer for my own success, but I petition loudly for ours as comrades and worthy of our ships and crews"

Realise that Arne is still to post, but I'm sure when I will have a chance later today

Arne turned and saluted, but his eyes nearly popped when he saw MSC Valna.

He moved to a parade rest as well, and when his name was called he moved to receive his pips with a formal salute, and nothing more than a “Thank you, Ma’am.  On my honor and for the Hegemony.”

OCC: sry! big day yesterday!

You returned to your places and your commander returned addressed all of you once again. "On behalf of the Astral Forces and High Command, welcome to the 9th Fleet. You will be forming King Squadron and joining the rest of the fleet in the Fringe as part of Operation Hopscotch. The details are in your commpads, but the gist of it is this. Signal Intelligence has reported several listening posts have gone silent in the Dead Zone. High Command has dispatched Rangers to investigate, but the fleet is on high alert and staging in the area in case of an attack from Brotherhood remnants or... and I stress the unconfirmed nature of this carefully, possibly unknown forces."

"King Squadron is tasked to patrol Ultima Black, the farthest system in the Hegemony before the Dead Zone."

The holographic display switches to show the Ultima Black system, a nine planet system. The tactical display indicates that all but one of the planets are balls of ice with a single neptunian planet (Ultima Black VI) from the star boasting a ten moon system around it. Each of the ice worlds is massive, much larger than Haven, two to four times larger in some cases.

On the largest of the Neptunian moons hosts an outpost and refueling station and is otherwise the only known civilization in the system.

"This Ultima Black system is vast and empty of life as far as we know, however, the size and number of terrestrial bodies makes it an ideal location to hide ships in preparation for an attack on the surrounding system. Your first orders are to patrol Ultima Black and determine if there are unknown forces in the system. Nothing should be there, but if you encounter trespassers, you are authorized to engage if possible."

"After this briefing, you are invited to an informal gathering at the officer's lounge where you will meet some of the other officers stationed in this system and on similar assignments. After that, take the rest of the evening and report to the main hanger at 0600 to meet your crew and prepare to cast off."

"If you have any questions, now is the time."

Diana listened, and rubbed her chin in thought, a habit she'd picked up somewhere during the early years of her life.

- "So... hypothetically, if we were to run into unknown forces, what is the Hegemony's official policy on first contact?"

The Brotherhood, she could guess what the official stance would be, either an exchange of hostilities or, if the remnant force was too much of a threat, to fall back and await reinforcements. Unknown ships however, and very specifically unknowns rather than suspected known factions as well, that hinted at something hiding out in the Dead Zone. The Indari had just come out of a war not too long ago, she'd rather not trigger another one on her first assignment.

"The Hegemony considers Ultima Black sovereign territory of the crown. Unauthorized or unidentified vessels are trespassing and will be considered hostile. You are authorized to open fire immediately if they refuse to surrender."

"Ideally, you would want to ascertain the origins of this hypothetical mysterious vessel, but your squadron is there to protect the system and confirm the presence of hostiles in system and engage them if possible. Your priority as captains as always is to the mission and the safety of your ship and crew. Do not put either at risk simply for glory. There will be time enough for that in your careers."

Commander Mysh considers the information carefully. The squad's designation as "King" seems curious and he casts a glance at the nobility of the group.

Arne by his own disclosure is the last son of a cadet house, but that could be a dispersion. Volsung on the other hand seems more reserved and formal of the two, but he has not drawn attention to his lineage.

Perhaps there does exist a secret or two in this. But there'll be time for that later.

"Station Ultima Black VI iz prepared for evacuation should King encounter anything we can't handle?"