“Hmm, I see...” Eanne nodded to herself as she read and reread the information, giving the young Emperor time to speak to the other people there. When he got back to her she shared some of her thoughts. “Bishop Lysandra seems like she might be reasonable and willing to negotiate – she might turn out to be the easiest to deal with.” She's pretty. Under different circumstances I would have tried seducing her... “Baron Chernobog seems like he will support anything you suggest, as long as you can convince him that it will benefit him more than the other options. Do you know anything more about his family, his daughters in particular?” I wonder if any of them have any influence over him, or if he views them as nothing but tools to gain more profit? “I'm not sure what to make of the other two, however. Professor Isabella might be here to show off some of her inventions as proof that the Institute is valuable and should receive more resources for the advancement of science. Or there could be another reason she was sent that I can't guess.” I doubt it is just to show off her impressive bust... “Merchant Aurelios is the most confusing one. The Trading Guild is sure to have better negotiators available, so what could they be thinking sending him? Some sort of message? Some bold plan that I can't guess?” Something feels off here... hopefully I am just worrying too much... “Do you know if Aurelios has a family, or any close friends or associates? People who might have some idea why he was sent instead of someone better at negotiating?”
After some walking, Vizelle is led to a private starpad, where a sleek black vessel has been stored. As they begin walking towards it, she feels Valleus respond. I have no interest in coming into conflict with a sorceress of your caliber. I believe we can come to some arrangement wherein you get what you seek. At the moment, though, I'm not quite sure what you have that I could want in return.
"I don't have the information on me, no." The emperor shakes his head. "I should be able to get you some data on the Duke's family without difficulty, they're public figures after all. As for Aurelios, he's unknown to me. You might be able to find some information from the crew of his ship, if I had to wager a guess. They're stuck in port until the negotiations conclude. Perhaps one might be bored enough to talk?" He shrugs.
"I see." Elena read through the data. "I shall bring the woman into your fold, Emperor." She smiled warmly. "That, or should she be impossible to work for you, I shall neutralize her." She finished.
"Wonderful." Vizelle cooed as she saw the ship, and as they walked toward it. She couldn't help but giggle as she "heard" Valleus' reply. Fufu, a favor then? Or something more... intimate? She replied, sending an additional "image" of her bound, helpless, completely at his mercy as he fucks her senseless.
Well, you clearly had some work done. As she had the thought to herself, she wondered about the expedition. A pre-imperial site...that might be something. If it was in any good condition, maybe there was at least something of cultural value left behind by some civilization. Not completely useless. The implication of bringing a whole squadron of Taurus Armors seemed like a little much. What were they expecting? Clearly, they were expecting the facility to be defended, from either local wildlife taking it over, rival empires, tribals or possibly....weapon defense systems still operational. Which...would be something. If they could still be functional after this much time and assumed damage without any maintenance or upkeep...that might equate to worthwhile findings. Getting a little excited of her theories of what kind of treasures could be available, she had to take a detour first. First, to issue the order for about a third of the Taurus units to be dispatched....she didn't know how much firepower she'd actually need, and for now, the other two thirds would be better spent on alert in case of any attempts to break in or hostile plays against the Institute. She made the stop first, to retrieve her own armor. Sleek, black and...it's been commented on by soldiers that it looks a little too form fitting, but that's just a byproduct of it's use. There was several distinctions behind Gemini Armor and Taurus that people wouldn't get. The interaction was more than just mechanical parts than people assumed. The energy and it's interaction with the body was designed to be more favorable to the wearer and condition the body better to use it. With Vivian's species that left their bluish skin with a slightly translucent glow and a tingling sensation across her nerves. It was odd. Definitely. Each little movement slightly tickled a little bit. While she wore a skintight bodysuit underneath to prevent too much friction against the metal it didn't really do much to prevent the warmth that built. Which shouldn't happen anyway. The heat causing a slight bit of sweat to run down her thighs as she adjusted the armor, letting her body and breasts breath while retrofitting the chest piece was a complicated mess. As better as the Gemini line was, it kind of was double-edged to the reason they were far from mass produced. The Terrans still didn't have the technology to catch up to what she actually needed to maintain it properly after all. The coolant and overheating problem didn't normal get in the way, but she weighed the pros and cons of having to test it's limits in any drawn out engagements before her suit would just end up more dangerous to the user than the enemy. But, regardless, the odds off her surviving a laser blast from any turrets while unarmored were rather low, so she'd have to work with what she had. Spoiler Finishing her adjustments, securing the body piece in place, she was ready to move in as she accessed the comm link to let the ship know she and her party would be arriving to board soon.
“His crew? Yes, that might work...” Eanne nodded in agreement, already thinking about how she could approach a member of Aurelios' crew. “Well, that's all the questions that come to my mind right now. If there's nothing else I will take the rest of the day off, get a bit more familiar with the city, and wait for you to send me the information about the Duke's daughters.” She smiled at the young Emperor, waiting to be dismissed if there was nothing else.
Do nothing save for continuing to observe for now, is the message she sends back, but pay particular attention to which nobles he approaches and the arguments he makes to them. I would like to know what he thinks of me out of my presence, and who he believes may be receptive to those thoughts, before I hear what he thinks of me in person. Otherwise, she has remained quiet for the meeting, letting Carius handle the rest of the meeting and seeing how much this girl understood the politics of taxes.
Yannika waited patiently as the other women inquired about the various tasks. She pondered the quests placed before her too, but her eyes and thoughts were constantly drawn to the young emperor. He was engaged and intelligent and that brought a smile, tinged with sadness, to her face. She was pleased that the other women seemed genuinely interested in helping their liege, but she was left wondering as to their motives. Some of the others departed and she endeavored to focus on the possible assignments. She had no military knowledge and doubted that she would be of much help in the Invasion of Ietra. But if her family was attending court, and were willing to speak with her, she could conceivably ask them for help. But if she had currency with them she didn't want to spend it yet. The Gates of the Warp seemed dire and as a woman of faith expelling a demonic invasion seemed perhaps the most important. But as with the previous mission her limitations made her question how she could help. Her skills were in negotiation and one did not negotiate with demons or the fools who summoned them. No matter how powerful they may be. Yannika regarded the Emperor fondly again and felt a near overwhelming desire to stay in the capital. The Corruption of Constantiopolis would allow her to do so. If she brought corrupt officials to justice it could bolster public support for the new monarch, but she was no inspector. Her eyes were drawn to the Heresy on Lave V. It seemed tailor made for her skills and experience, she was still a shepherd after all and someone was trying to cull from her herd. "Your Majesty," she finally spoke up. "I believe I may be of assistance on Lave V, as I have some... experience with these matters. I would like to ask if you have any more information on this matter."
"Thank you." He nods. "Her location should be in the data slate. I...just..." He looks embarrassed, but genuinely concerned. "Are you going to be okay? A holy woman in a den of sin like a brothel?"
As they begin to walk up the ship's ramp, she sees the inquisitor twitch slightly as she broadcasts the mental image. "Be careful what you wish for. A favor will do." Vizelle gets the sense that if she'd rather use sex as a bargaining chip than owe a favor, she could try to seduce the man. Inside the craft, she sees that it's sleek and clean, the walls grey and black metal. Vallleus' acolyte hops into the cockpit and the ship begins to rise into the air.
Wearing the unusually skintight armour, Vivian receives many looks as she walks through the streets, both of confusion and lust. On the way, she's greeted by Logan, a sergeant in her power armored squad, with a third of the troops behind him. Unlike Vivian and the rest, Logan wears a set of obsolete power armour that he rarely, if ever, takes off. "Ma'am. We're ready to depart on your leave." Falling in line behind her, the soldiers follow. Finally, they reach the spaceport, where Vivian spots the the Borealis, and Casca in front of it, supervising as men and equipment are loaded onto the craft.
"Fufu." Vizelle chuckles, seeing the effects of her teasing. But for now, working with the inquisitor might prove fruitful. And once the ship took off, she activates a sound-proofing magic around her, and her disciples. Facing Jeryn, "What did you find out?" She asked, already a bit excited to see what the ancient book will hold.
The emperor returns the smile, giving her leave to go. As she heads out into the city, Eanne observes that it's seperated into multiple districts, based on class and also on function. There's a religious district filled with churches and convents, a pleasure district with brothels, clubs and arcades, a shopping district that caters to the poor and the wealthy at different points down an extended thoroughfare, a small social district with clubs for the city's elite, etc. As she wanders the streets, a robotic servitor crawls along a wall towards her, before a mechanical arm reaches out, unoiled hinges squeaking, and hands her a data slate. Spoiler: The Duke's Daughters Looking through the dataslate, most of the duke's children are on their home planet, and thus out of reach, but two of them are here on the capital. Amara: Through her family name and genuine skill, Amara has been able to quickly rise through the ranks of the Terran Navy and become captain of her vessel. From the record, she seems to be something of a disciplinarian, but a fair one. She spends most of her time in the admiralty building, officer's clubs, or on board her ship, a small patrol frigate. Sitra: Unlike her sister, Sitra avoided a life of service and combat, deciding instead to marry her childhood sweetheart, causing quite a scandal since the man was several steps beneath her socially. Nonetheless, they married, and enjoyed several years together, before an accident rendered her husband comatose. She now lives her life as a socialite, absentmindedly going to the parties and events expected of her, though according to other attendees, her attendance is dutiful at best.
Her contact sends back an affirmative reply. As she watches Carius and the young noble, he sees her being given leave to go, and she exits the room. Spoiler: Awareness check roll D100 - Roll: 28 (Fail) Looking around, she fails to notice the way Yannika, the blonde priestess, keeps looking at Carius, with a longing expression that surpasses mere interest.
As she looks at Carius, the young emperor meets her eyes several times, and he blushes, perhaps mistaking her interest for something else. He quickly walks towards her, sitting close by, and Yannika notes that they're closer than they've been in decades, though he obviously has no idea. "Indeed, that makes sense." He nods. "I can tell you as much as I've been briefed." He answers. "As far as I'm aware, the residents of Lave V deposed the bishop there after the man was exposed as corrupt. They tried to replace him with a far more beloved priestess, only for the bishop to try and assassinate her. What happened next is hard to say, but the story goes that this priestess was killed, and brought back to life by the gods. Afterwards, a man, a powerful psionic who supports the priestess, led a mob into the bishop's palace, killed the man, and declared his lady's divinity." Carius' expression changes, growing concerned. "I worry, though, that if they're willing to kill members of the church, you might be in danger if you go there."
Spoiler: Jeryn's info gathering roll D100: 58+15 (Jeryn's observation skill)=73 (Pass) As Valleus moves away to his private quarters, Jeryn approaches, and gives the customary bow. "The area is filled with various illegal businesses, like gambling, drug dens and prostitution rings. They're divided up among three gang bosses, a human and two aliens. There are gang wars pretty frequently, but they tend to be low scale, so they don't hurt business." He gives his report in more detail about the various criminal enterprises of the area she had him scout. He reports that many people are out of work there, and engaged in gang activities, making them a possible source of recruits.
Hearing the repost, Vizelle couldn't help but let her devilish smile out. "Interesting. Once we return, I think it's time for these gang bosses to rally under me, don't you think?" She said with a grin, "Ah, but a job well done should be rewarded." Vizelle then moves to an empty quarter, beckoning Jeryn to follow. And once she finds one, she sits down, and stretches her leg towards him, "You may worship me, until we arrive at our destination." She said in a sultry tone.
Jeryn beams, smiling as though he's won a great prize, as the once dominant lady killer sinks to his knees to kiss and lick his mistress's feet. Jeryn sees to her every need for hours, as an ancient warp gate sends the ship hurtling through space, until Velleus' voice sounds out in the cabin. "Vizelle, we're nearing our destination. I'm in the command room, if you'd like to discuss our strategy." Jeryn gives an angry look at the interruption.
"Mmh. Enjoy your reward." Vizelle let out a coaxing moan as he licks her, "Continue to produce great results, and I may let you fuck me." She teased, sending him an image of her being "conquered" by him to motivate him further. And just as Valleus called her, Vizelle cooed. "Times up for today." She said, gently pushing him away from her stocking-clad legs. "Fufu. Do look forward to your next reward." She whispered, before standing up and heading to the command room to meet with the inquisitor.
