as written by Ottoman
The evening light crept through the towering room, interrupted only by the red-marble pillars between those gathered at the lengthy table and the massive windows, one such shadow darkening as, with a flicker, the holographic presentation evaporated. Quietly the head of the Verhör remained standing whilst the other members of the cabinet reflected on the information he had just finished reviewing. Some seemed to linger on the matter, considering both what it required of them and how they stood to benefit from it all, while others were already looking expectantly to the imperial twins at either end of the table. Josef himself took a moment to ponder, eyes still looking to the air where the hologram had been just moments earlier, his expression blank until a smile began to creep upon his lips. "Marvelous work, Lord Commandant." Josef spoke, leaning back slightly as he glanced between Nichols, who bowed his head at such attention, and the rest of the cabinet. "The Verhör delivers once again."
With a reserved smile the Azrican raised his head from the light bow he had taken. "We pride ourselves on our results, my lord." Quietly he returned to his own seat, some of the cabinet paying him a respectful look after the compliment from the Kaiser before they returned their gaze to the supreme authority. "Is there anything more I can answer or clarify?" He had only just received the information today, and hurriedly reviewed it himself before informing the Kaiser that there had been developments relevant to the Exogarden Front, though he felt confident enough to make such an inquiry. Perhaps the only one who could outdo him on the subject was Dr. Roth, though thanks to her nature the woman didn't ask questions, and no doubt she was already quite familiar with the subject matter. Silence reigned for a moment or two at the table as Josef gave his colleagues the opportunity to present their own concerns and questions, the Grand Admiral being the first to speak up.
"Lord Oberstgruppenführer," Ernst began, "If I may?" A polite nod from Nichols was paid in reply, and the clean-shaven head of the admiral tilted as he looked to the table for a moment. "Your agent, this Blue Angel, mentioned that it won't be long until we can begin operations to expand our sphere of influence on this Hera Prime, and Valore, it seems." He glanced between Hofmann, Drazović and Voroshilov, taking each of their expressions in stride. He knew, of course, that the defensive institution of the Home Armies wouldn't be involved in any such undertaking, though the forces commanded by those three were at the core of his inquiry. "Who will spearhead this expedition?" His own forces, that of the Reichsternflotte and the civil government, or perhaps Kampf's own Landwächter, or the Syndicate's mercenary force? While not taken aback by the question, Nichols blinked instead of speaking, unsure what to say for fear of stepping on the toes of his superiors.
"I fear I must defer that to their majesties, admiral." Quickly enough he looked both to Josef and Josefine, figuring that it wasn't out of place for him to do such. The Kaiser leaned forward in his seat once more, sighing as he looked in turn to his sister across from him. While Josefine had an equal share of the command regarding the Landwächter, she often left that matter to her brother, preferring to focus on the domestic issues and civil side of the Hegemony in her roles both as Minister of Public Enlightenment and Empress. With a slight smile she spoke with the opportunity afforded to her.
The black-clad woman raised a hand, pale fingers gesturing to the Oriyak Abbess who sat not but two seats away from her. "I don't think the situation warrants the Seraphim, Josef, at least not yet." Not until some greater value became apparent in the region, or a large enough portion of their inhabitants converted, would the deployment of the Ministry's army be justified in her eyes. Given, she saw things differently than her brother did, but the both of them had spent so long together that they both knew what the other would expect in regards to policy. The Emperor cast his eyes to Voroshilov for a moment before nodding, the Grand Abbess seemingly unperturbed that her involvement in what was presented was little to nothing.
"I don't see a reason for them to be there either." He mused in agreement, pausing for a moment before he shot a rather knowing look to Dr. Hofmann, addressing her as he reached for the glass of water he had nearby. "It is to my understanding that the Syndicate is taking a particular interest in this Valoran sector - is that correct, doctor?" The Emperor sipped at the drink while the blonde Austran shifted where she sat, hesitating for a moment or two in the wake of his question. Her cybernetic colleague remained silent and stoic beside her, eyes set firmly on the monarch. "Despite having not mentioned it in our council?"
"You are not mistaken, your majesty." The SEO spoke, avoiding eye contact for a moment as she debated glaring daggers at Roth, irritated that she had to hide the actions of the intelligence beside her. Eventually she regained her composure and looked to Josef, who had been waiting patiently for her to do just that, silently expecting an explanation. "From the intelligence reports delivered by our Aschen colleagues we understand that there is a particularly unstable world in the Local Sector, Valore, that displayed a variety of curious phenomenon that could be exploited for use in research and development, even before the over-saturation of tricobalt weaponry rendered the region a hazard zone." A gloved hand hung in the air, in mid-gesture, as she looked to the rest of the cabinet, taking the opportunity to drive her point home. "One which we can step in and police as a disaster area."
The implications of this were not lost on those gathered, though it was still the Supreme Executive Officer who stood to benefit the most from any venture exploiting such a circumstance, except perhaps her silent partner. "... so the Syndicate is going to establish a research facility on Valore, Dr. Hofmann, under the cover of this... police action?" Josef inquired with an even tone, keeping his eyes on the woman as she nodded, affirming it quickly enough with the spoken word.
"Yes, your majesty."
"I do not like things being kept from me, Dr. Hofmann. Please remember that in the future." He added, feeling that the matter was properly addressed now that she had admitted, at least in part, to withholding her intentions and actions regarding a matter that could easily escalate into an international incident. With another sip of water he intended to address both the Reichsführer and the Grand Admiral, to see which was better equipped to deal with the Hera Prime affair, when the distorted voice of the Supreme Avatar broke the silence, drawing the attention of all gathered.
"Many apologies, your majesty." The sleek and armored form of the Avatar remained still as stone while she spoke, her neon gaze locked on the Emperor. "Having infiltrated the CNS New Atraliah of the Coalition's 3rd Exogarden Fleet six years, eight months, nineteen days, three hours, forty-eight minutes and thirty-one seconds, Tannhäuser Standard Time, prior to the current date, I have been observing it alongside three-thousand, eight-hundred and ninety-two other vessels assigned to the Coalition's Exogarden Commands." Unblinking, she paused only for a moment in her extrapolation, the pace of her words unyielding. "Only with its entry into the Local Sector have I come across a planet whose parameters match that of the spatial and psionic imbalances requested for testing and research by seven separate Syndicate departments. Eighteen hours, fifty-three minutes and nine seconds ago the CNS New Atraliah deployed a forward observation team to the planet identified in Aschen dossiers as Valore. The deployment of the SNV Duranus to the Local Sector was my decision. I advised Dr. Hofmann on the entirety of the affair and calculated that the guise of a police action and disaster relief would be the most efficient means of exploiting the opportunity presented." With that her lips stilled, the ministers of the cabinet around the table sharing in it save for the occasional shift or stretch in their seat.
"I accept full responsibility for my actions in regards to the acquisition of Valoran assets."
The Kaiser took the explanation in stride, listening to all that the cyborg had to say before she finished, ending with such a bold venture as to accept responsibility for the matter that had irked him to discover. He was thankful, as were the rest of those gathered, that she had provided them with the condensed explanation, knowing how long-winded the reasoning of the construct could prove, though Josef wasn't sure whether to be impressed or irritated with her actions. Already he considered just what Hrethgir acting on its own initiative to secure this world meant, and he was eager to avoid another altercation between the Supreme Avatar and the Reichsführer over the matter of psionics. "This is unexpected, Hrethgir," He could have understood, or foreseen, a Syndicate investment in the system, not simply for research but also for profit, but to have Hrethgir act on her own accord and move on the system raised more questions than her explanation answered. "... but not entirely unwelcome." Assuming she was being truthful regarding the seven departments, and that was something he would discover soon enough once the meeting had concluded. "I expect each of these departments to deliver."
"They shall, your majesty."
The evening light crept through the towering room, interrupted only by the red-marble pillars between those gathered at the lengthy table and the massive windows, one such shadow darkening as, with a flicker, the holographic presentation evaporated. Quietly the head of the Verhör remained standing whilst the other members of the cabinet reflected on the information he had just finished reviewing. Some seemed to linger on the matter, considering both what it required of them and how they stood to benefit from it all, while others were already looking expectantly to the imperial twins at either end of the table. Josef himself took a moment to ponder, eyes still looking to the air where the hologram had been just moments earlier, his expression blank until a smile began to creep upon his lips. "Marvelous work, Lord Commandant." Josef spoke, leaning back slightly as he glanced between Nichols, who bowed his head at such attention, and the rest of the cabinet. "The Verhör delivers once again."
With a reserved smile the Azrican raised his head from the light bow he had taken. "We pride ourselves on our results, my lord." Quietly he returned to his own seat, some of the cabinet paying him a respectful look after the compliment from the Kaiser before they returned their gaze to the supreme authority. "Is there anything more I can answer or clarify?" He had only just received the information today, and hurriedly reviewed it himself before informing the Kaiser that there had been developments relevant to the Exogarden Front, though he felt confident enough to make such an inquiry. Perhaps the only one who could outdo him on the subject was Dr. Roth, though thanks to her nature the woman didn't ask questions, and no doubt she was already quite familiar with the subject matter. Silence reigned for a moment or two at the table as Josef gave his colleagues the opportunity to present their own concerns and questions, the Grand Admiral being the first to speak up.
"Lord Oberstgruppenführer," Ernst began, "If I may?" A polite nod from Nichols was paid in reply, and the clean-shaven head of the admiral tilted as he looked to the table for a moment. "Your agent, this Blue Angel, mentioned that it won't be long until we can begin operations to expand our sphere of influence on this Hera Prime, and Valore, it seems." He glanced between Hofmann, Drazović and Voroshilov, taking each of their expressions in stride. He knew, of course, that the defensive institution of the Home Armies wouldn't be involved in any such undertaking, though the forces commanded by those three were at the core of his inquiry. "Who will spearhead this expedition?" His own forces, that of the Reichsternflotte and the civil government, or perhaps Kampf's own Landwächter, or the Syndicate's mercenary force? While not taken aback by the question, Nichols blinked instead of speaking, unsure what to say for fear of stepping on the toes of his superiors.
"I fear I must defer that to their majesties, admiral." Quickly enough he looked both to Josef and Josefine, figuring that it wasn't out of place for him to do such. The Kaiser leaned forward in his seat once more, sighing as he looked in turn to his sister across from him. While Josefine had an equal share of the command regarding the Landwächter, she often left that matter to her brother, preferring to focus on the domestic issues and civil side of the Hegemony in her roles both as Minister of Public Enlightenment and Empress. With a slight smile she spoke with the opportunity afforded to her.
The black-clad woman raised a hand, pale fingers gesturing to the Oriyak Abbess who sat not but two seats away from her. "I don't think the situation warrants the Seraphim, Josef, at least not yet." Not until some greater value became apparent in the region, or a large enough portion of their inhabitants converted, would the deployment of the Ministry's army be justified in her eyes. Given, she saw things differently than her brother did, but the both of them had spent so long together that they both knew what the other would expect in regards to policy. The Emperor cast his eyes to Voroshilov for a moment before nodding, the Grand Abbess seemingly unperturbed that her involvement in what was presented was little to nothing.
"I don't see a reason for them to be there either." He mused in agreement, pausing for a moment before he shot a rather knowing look to Dr. Hofmann, addressing her as he reached for the glass of water he had nearby. "It is to my understanding that the Syndicate is taking a particular interest in this Valoran sector - is that correct, doctor?" The Emperor sipped at the drink while the blonde Austran shifted where she sat, hesitating for a moment or two in the wake of his question. Her cybernetic colleague remained silent and stoic beside her, eyes set firmly on the monarch. "Despite having not mentioned it in our council?"
"You are not mistaken, your majesty." The SEO spoke, avoiding eye contact for a moment as she debated glaring daggers at Roth, irritated that she had to hide the actions of the intelligence beside her. Eventually she regained her composure and looked to Josef, who had been waiting patiently for her to do just that, silently expecting an explanation. "From the intelligence reports delivered by our Aschen colleagues we understand that there is a particularly unstable world in the Local Sector, Valore, that displayed a variety of curious phenomenon that could be exploited for use in research and development, even before the over-saturation of tricobalt weaponry rendered the region a hazard zone." A gloved hand hung in the air, in mid-gesture, as she looked to the rest of the cabinet, taking the opportunity to drive her point home. "One which we can step in and police as a disaster area."
The implications of this were not lost on those gathered, though it was still the Supreme Executive Officer who stood to benefit the most from any venture exploiting such a circumstance, except perhaps her silent partner. "... so the Syndicate is going to establish a research facility on Valore, Dr. Hofmann, under the cover of this... police action?" Josef inquired with an even tone, keeping his eyes on the woman as she nodded, affirming it quickly enough with the spoken word.
"Yes, your majesty."
"I do not like things being kept from me, Dr. Hofmann. Please remember that in the future." He added, feeling that the matter was properly addressed now that she had admitted, at least in part, to withholding her intentions and actions regarding a matter that could easily escalate into an international incident. With another sip of water he intended to address both the Reichsführer and the Grand Admiral, to see which was better equipped to deal with the Hera Prime affair, when the distorted voice of the Supreme Avatar broke the silence, drawing the attention of all gathered.
"Many apologies, your majesty." The sleek and armored form of the Avatar remained still as stone while she spoke, her neon gaze locked on the Emperor. "Having infiltrated the CNS New Atraliah of the Coalition's 3rd Exogarden Fleet six years, eight months, nineteen days, three hours, forty-eight minutes and thirty-one seconds, Tannhäuser Standard Time, prior to the current date, I have been observing it alongside three-thousand, eight-hundred and ninety-two other vessels assigned to the Coalition's Exogarden Commands." Unblinking, she paused only for a moment in her extrapolation, the pace of her words unyielding. "Only with its entry into the Local Sector have I come across a planet whose parameters match that of the spatial and psionic imbalances requested for testing and research by seven separate Syndicate departments. Eighteen hours, fifty-three minutes and nine seconds ago the CNS New Atraliah deployed a forward observation team to the planet identified in Aschen dossiers as Valore. The deployment of the SNV Duranus to the Local Sector was my decision. I advised Dr. Hofmann on the entirety of the affair and calculated that the guise of a police action and disaster relief would be the most efficient means of exploiting the opportunity presented." With that her lips stilled, the ministers of the cabinet around the table sharing in it save for the occasional shift or stretch in their seat.
"I accept full responsibility for my actions in regards to the acquisition of Valoran assets."
The Kaiser took the explanation in stride, listening to all that the cyborg had to say before she finished, ending with such a bold venture as to accept responsibility for the matter that had irked him to discover. He was thankful, as were the rest of those gathered, that she had provided them with the condensed explanation, knowing how long-winded the reasoning of the construct could prove, though Josef wasn't sure whether to be impressed or irritated with her actions. Already he considered just what Hrethgir acting on its own initiative to secure this world meant, and he was eager to avoid another altercation between the Supreme Avatar and the Reichsführer over the matter of psionics. "This is unexpected, Hrethgir," He could have understood, or foreseen, a Syndicate investment in the system, not simply for research but also for profit, but to have Hrethgir act on her own accord and move on the system raised more questions than her explanation answered. "... but not entirely unwelcome." Assuming she was being truthful regarding the seven departments, and that was something he would discover soon enough once the meeting had concluded. "I expect each of these departments to deliver."
"They shall, your majesty."
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