Posted by Storyteller Phoenix (Storyteller) in Main Sim Prologue: The Imperial City-A grand Ceremony-The Conquest Begins

Posted by Captain Gunnar Kaldland (Captain) in Main Sim Prologue: The Imperial City-A grand Ceremony-The Conquest Begins

Posted by Storyteller Phoenix (Storyteller) in Main Sim Prologue: The Imperial City-A grand Ceremony-The Conquest Begins
The Sun rose over the Imperial capital of Rome Italy, modern buildings sticking up over the historical remnants of a once-great Empire. The Imperial Palace, built over the ruins of the Roman Forum, was a grand palace the likes of which had not been seen in centuries painted white to symbolize Terran purity. Servants mostly Xeno slaves, were busy setting up for the ceremony that night. Tables, chairs, the finest dining linens, and the best silverware, along with the Commemorative glasses which each guest would be able to take home with them, as a gift from their gracious Empress. Food was being delivered and unloaded into the grand kitchens, for the team of 100 Terran chefs to cook the meals, that the Palace Inhabitants and servents would need for the day as well as the ceremony. Many passers-by would wonder what was happening, as well as those that delivered the necessities. However, all knew better than to ask questions when it came to the Imperial Palace! The centerpiece of the evening was an ice sculpture, in the shape of the Helmet of Hades, surrounded by 9 other smaller sculptures. Cerberus, Persephone, Hydra, Cyclops, Medusa, Minotaur, Kracken, Chimara and the Harpy. Things stayed very busy around the great palace as the day went on, soon the Imperial Gardens were prepared and ready.

As the sun began to set, all the staff of the palace began to get ready for the arrival of the guests of honor. 10 captains that were members of the very Secret Organization known as the Knights of Hades, were arriving to receive the crowning glory to their careers. Waiting to greet them at the front door was the Hand of the Empress. she was a tall woman, that could easily have been the scariest woman in the galaxy! her steel-grey hair cut short and messy, though was hidden by a long hood, she had a face not even a mother could love, featuring a snaggle tooth that hung over her lower lip, and a mole on her cheek, a big bulbous nose, and dark soul trapping eyes. luckily unlike most women in the empire, her outfit covered all of her skeletal thin frame, a dark blood red cloak with gold embroidery made her look like death itself. beside her was her own personal Xeno slave, a small mousy and very submissive Andorian girl of no more than 17, she carried a clipboard which held the names of the guests and everything else that the Hand needed to keep track of.

ST Phoenix

The Captains all entered the grand Palace together, they met earlier in their usual meeting place in Rome for an early meeting then walked over. All ten wore hooded cloaks over their dress uniforms hiding their identities until they arrived. Now the group walked up in two lines to meet with Emperor’s hand. At the front stood two men, one giant bald, broad-shouldered man muscular and grim-looking standing over two meters tall, the other had dark hair and icy cold blue eyes, although he did look small next to his giant companion he stood at six feet and did not lack for muscular stature. The bald giant was smiling widely “This is it, frosty, I think the old man is proud of us now” his french accent was unusually thick “I think the old man is mad we got to this point without him, Marc” Gunnar said in his usual stoic manner. Behind them, their fellow Captains were all deep in conversation with their partner, a fairly unusual occurrence having a group of so many high ranking officers sharing what could be almost described as a friendly conversation.

When the group arrived Gunnar took a step forward and half bowed to the woman in front of him, saluted as was the tradition and spoke “We have arrived” He said simply.

CO

she nodded at the bow and the Salute. “There has been a slight change of plans, The Empress was called away to deal with an important matter. She will be watching the Ceremony over subspace, Follow me We will begin shortly. For now once we arrive in the garden, eat and enjoy yourselves, while your Partners and tokens of the Empress’s esteem are prepared!” she said her voice was low, horse, and slimy matching her horrible visage.

The group whispered amongst themselves at the mention that the Empress would not be there, the quiet words were exchanged until Gunnar looked back and shook his head at the group, they all exchanged glances then nodded. “Lead the way” He said to the woman with a brief smile, he unconsciously turned the ring on his right ring finger, the obsidian mark of their Order.

She lead them through the Grand Hall of the palace, to the gardens in the rear. there were high walls with hedges over top, this garden was made for privacy. however it also had a strange twist, stepping out of the Obviously Europian Italian themed Palace, into a distinctly Japanese themed garden! there was a rock Zen area, traditional Japanese plants, and coy ponds with streams and Bridges, it was strangely peaceful, apparently, the Empress wanted a piece of home in her palace. there were tables chairs, and the like set up with a full feast. Xeno slaves were there to wait on the group hand and foot, not realizing it was the last night of their lives. any non-terran who was to witness the ceremony, or see the signs of the Knights of Hades, would be dead by morning executed to keep the secret organization a secret.

ST Phoenix

Marc and Gunnar exchanged some words on their way to the Garden in a language not familiar to most, the pair seemed to be commenting on the decorations. As they walked past the coy pond a woman Captain behind Gunnar spoke “Is this where you did it Kaldland, is this where you Secured the future of the Knights of Hades?” She asked in an amused voice. Without looking back he answered “No it was much deeper in the Palace” He said without hesitation “And despite what the old man says I didn’t do it alone” He rested his hand on his axe, hanging on his hip, the Woman laughed at his comment but did not reply.

CO