@unisol_gr44
Above Constantinopolis Secondus
"Centauri frigate
Intrepid, this is patrol craft LX-1029. We've scanned you, and everything has come up clean. You're clear to move into Byzantium Secondus space." Ulie Reinhardt sighs, her head leaning back against the harsh leather of her seat, as the
Intrepid responds and begins to move towards Byzantion station, the great fortress in orbit above the Terran Empire's capital. "Join the navy, they said... See the galaxy, they said..." It's a cliche, but those had been Ulie's ambitions not too long ago, the young girl from the slums of Constantinopolis Secondus aching to go off into the galaxy as an intrepid sailor of the emperor's navy, fighting battles, gaining fame, maybe finding the odd exotic alien to shack up with here or there.
Reality, however, didn't match the fantasy. Instead of being a dashing rogue, she was a glorious customs agent. Instead of seeing the galaxy in a grand starship, she was posted aboard a tiny patrol boat that never left sight of her homeworld. Instead of beautiful blue skinned alien women and dashing muscular sailor men to share steamy nights with, her only opportunity for companionship is her lecherous, obese boss, an old man who only got his job through nepotism, and whose abilities or lack thereof had kept him from climbing any higher than patrol boat captain, despite noble patronage. Yeah, she'd rather throw herself out the airlock than sleep with him.
Yet another ship begins to float past the patrol craft, and Ulie begins the tedious process of once again scanning it. "This is the 13th one yet! It's been all day! Fuckin' noble asshole... Even if he is cute." She sighs, thinking of the leader of the fleet currently heading towards the capital, some political appointee by the name of Azurrose. "He's meeting the emperor, great for him. Did he have to bring the whole bloody fleet with him, though? Gods, why are the handsome guys always assholes?" Tired, she begins to press buttons, hoping to complete the scanning process as soon as possible, but eventually sleep overcomes her, and her head hits the control board, as she feels herself losing consciousness. From another room, she hears a bang. "Fffuck... Did Janus forget to stow the food shipment properly? Ffffuck iiit, I ain't moving. He can do it herself." Nestling herself in the crook of her elbow, she feels sleep tempting her, when the door behind her opens, and she hears clanging steps approaching. Ulie simply yawns "Coming to cop a feel, Janus? Whatever, I don't even care... I'm sleeping, I don't care who comes in here." There's no response, as the clanging draws nearer, but Ulie's too tired to even look up and see who's approaching.
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Bridge, Flagship of Centauri Home Fleet
Xavier stands on the bridge of his flagship, looking at the massive sprawl of Constantinopolis Secondus and the crowded space above it, filled with half of the Centauri Home Fleet, Viktor having wanted to give a show of force for his brother's first day on the council.
It had been a surprise to both of them when Xavier had been appointed a member of the council, but as Viktor had so bluntly put it, if he wanted to keep the fleet, he'd accept. It had been a busy but boring day, with each ship of Xavier's fleet laboriously being inspected before being allowed close to the capital and its main station. Through the view port, he watches as the
Intrepid finally finishes its scan and gets moving, replaced by an even larger ship that will take even longer. Wait... Why is that patrol craft moving? Why, indeed, is it moving towards the Centauri fleet at speed?
"Fleet Admiral, there's an emergency message from patrol craft LX-1029". Xavier hears the crisp, professional voice of Victoriana Van Attre, his new second in command. So far, the woman has been a consumate professional and a great help, though this is her first voyage in the role.
"Sir, I've taken the liberty to answer their call." Given that the patrol craft has engaged its thrusters and is flying towards the bridge of one of Xavier's battleships, this is quite possibly a reasonable move. There's the sound of static, before a raspy female voice sounds on the bridge. "A-Admiral, this is Ensign Ulie Reinhardt of patrol craft LX...Fuck it, you know which one! There's monsters on board, some sort of xenos! They've killed my CO, and now I think they're trying to ram your ship!" There's the sound of gunfire, and Ulie shouting "Fuck off!"
Victoriana looks to Xavier. "Orders, sir?"
