The grandiose architecture more resembled a Colosseum then any sort of meeting hall. This was par for the course, as it reflected hundreds of centuries of tradition passed down from Agartha. Statues circled about the central arena, which itself contained a round table seats for eight. While ostensibly open to attendance, in practice, the council hall only held enough room for ten thousand. Ten thousand, serving as representatives of a fleet of billions. Not a terrible figure.

And of those ten thousand, eight, who actually possessed the Suzerain's ear. To say that the state of this galaxy had changed rapidly in the span of a few short months was an understatement. It had been completely derailed overnight.



"All major powers are in a state of alert. Piracy has expanded to rampant levels." In her signature monotone, the Ranger Marshal droned on through her report, although if these seven others at the table knew what they were doing, they had already read the papers that had been sent in advance, and this was merely for the sake of the greater audience. "The Emperor of the Galaxy (Legume), King of Ferusalem (Andrew C. Creed), and Kabochan Emperor (Cam), our three major contacts, all slain. Reports continue to stream in of this Demon Queen (@amatricina) and other unknown parties."



"Things certainly do not bode well for peace and stability..." Lord Admiral Pellines rubbed his chin in thought. "However, we are in no position to enforce such conditions either. Our fleet is not optimised for conquest. We are here on a diplomatic expedition." A fleet hailing billions of hands, a core of civilian and industrial vessels escorted by an appropriation of warships.

This was not a fleet built for eternal war. No, those fleets remained at home. Conversion to a state of battle-readiness was possible, but it would take time. "While we are certainly possessed of the technology to settle down on a mineral-rich world and commence the construction of a war fleet, I believe Her Majesty has that against our mandate."



"That is correct, Lord Admiral," Lord Grayvian, in his formal crimson armour, nodded. "It is our agreement with the gods that we shall not perform any sort of conquest in this universe."

"I understand, however, that we are in agreement with the Crusher Corps," Pellines responded. "In return for helping liberate these worlds in this Quadrant, we are to be provided with safe harbour."

"Also correct, though safe harbour is certainly different from assuming administrative responsibilities over the world in question." The agreements did state conquest. But what about the colonization of barren worlds? The Agarthan Standard Template provided technologies that trivialized colonization and construction, converting a lifeless rock into a paradise world in a matter of days... or a forge world suited to arming a Battlefleet. "While I have no doubt that we possess the means to act, it remains to be seen what the gods consider an act of 'conquest'."



"In that case, I submit for Her Majesty's consideration that the construction of Battlefleets for combat readiness, and the enforcement of peace and stability, are beyond the purview of 'conquest'." Lord Marshal Hearnes raised his hand in motion. An opportunist, who nevertheless knew how to deal, he was in every way, a creature of the bureaucracy.

"Preposterous," Pellines waved it off. "I was merely clarifying the conditions of our agreements, gods and mortals both. This situation requires patient observation. We cannot be so hasty with our actions."

"Oh come now, Pellines," Hearnes chuckled. "Yes, we came here expecting an expedition that might take centuries. But what if this chaos leads to the loss of all the arts that Her Majesty seeks to learn?"

"If these arts truly are great, then they should survive a little galactic chaos." Well.. the practitioners certainly would. "I doubt some pirate rabble would be of sufficient power to destroy the practitioners of these fearsome techniques."

"What if these warriors can't breathe in space? Then what? If a pirate shoots down their transport, they are as good as dead. The Rangers reports to not lie. Not many races here are capable of doing so outside of the people represented by this Lord Frieza character."

"I believe Her Majesty has heard enough," Grayvian's voice was calm, but stern. Knights possessed an authority separate entirely from the hierarchies of the Army and Navy. As such, one might consider him another equal amongst this war council, albeit first among them. "It's time we gave her the floor."



While the table had no head, being round as it was, there was nevertheless a certain deference placed upon whichever seat it was that the Suzerain took. That may or may not have had to do with the stoic aura that she always presented with, a regal nature suited to a monarch.

Her gauntlets leaned heavily on the table's surface as she rose up from her seat. "We cannot ignore our agreement with the Corps. However, we will have to speak with its new leadership. To see if this policy will proceed as initially intended. If it stands, we shall proceed and serve to liberate worlds in this Eastern Quadrant. If it falls, then we shall renegotiate."

She stared across the table, at the two gentlemen who presented two potential approaches to the situation. How would each contribute, in the long term, to the survival of Albarica? On the one hand, the potential loss of martial artists to random pirate activity was true. On the other hand, if mobilization could be misconstrued as 'conquest', then this endangered the mission from a divine perspective...

"We shall act in accordance with what is reasonable. Eradicating the pirate presence helps promote peace and stability. To do so without compromising the Expeditionary Fleet's defences, we must construct additional warships. Lord Admiral, you are to provide the specifics for a Pirate Hunter fleet."

"That would mostly consist of small vessels," Pellines pointed out matter of factly, "Certainly nothing of the Wallship category. Light Cruisers at the very most... to serve as command and coordination ships, that is. If I may caution you however, Majesty. As we have seen, our warship patterns could easily be misconstrued for vessels several classes greater than they actually are."

"Then it shall be our actions that dictate what functions this fleet shall undertake," a sense of finality. "The gods will see firsthand what we do with them. Be sure to focus on stealth configurations, Lord Admiral. Our blade is to remain invisible from the galaxy at large."

Pellines bowed and crossed a fist over his chest. "As you will, Your Majesty."

There were, however, other things to discuss...