Evervigilant 59

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> Blackhall is buzzing with activity as personnel settle into their quarters on the staff housing grounds, and begin getting acquainted with their duties, as  assisted by Midas, the old groundsman. Patrols cycle the grounds, as outside the barracks men participate in synchronized physical exercises.
<Vigilant_GM> Captain Maximilian Servus, the gruff man in charge of the veteran mercenary band, stands in the vestibule of the manse, awaiting an audience with the Lord of the house and his Master-at-Arms.
<Vigilant_GM> Midas catches a glimpse of the man as he walks a younger staffer across the manse, whispers something in her ear to continue her duties, and walks towards the awaiting soldier. After a brief exchange, he escorts Captain Servus into the study and goes to find Lord Guljian.
<Vigilant_GM> With a knock on the open door, Midas takes a step in. "Good morning, my Lord. Captain Servus is here to see you. A matter of the, erm... contract, I believe. I have asked him to wait in the ground floor study."
* Baird looks up at Midas as he enters. "Of course, thank you Midas. Please find the Master-At-Arms and then send him and Captain Servus to me. Oh and have someone bring in refreshments."
<Vigilant_GM> "At once, my Lord," Midas says with a bow.
* Karpath is working in the newly built Medical Bay, checking over all the equipment.
* Darkminnie (Darkm@3F0628A8.ECE0663B.E606CC0D.IP) has joined
<Vigilant_GM> A short moment later, Nico Tanzi enters the Librarium Chamber, Kaytian behind him. Before they can greet the Interrogator, Midas knocks yet again. Standing behind him just past the doorway, stands Captain Servus.
<Tony> "You summoned us Lord Guljian."
* Tony takes a bow
<Vigilant_GM> "Master Tanzi, Lady Nils," Midas bows his head in greeting before turning his glance to Baird awaiting his go-ahead to allow the caller in.
* Baird places a flattened ribbon of silk in between the pages to earmark his location before closing it and setting it aside. "I did. Captain Servus would like to discuss his contract." At speaking the Captain's name Baird makes a gesture for Midas to let him in.
<Vigilant_GM> From the doorway across the Librarium, two household staff enter with recaff, sweet-doughed treats, and a jug of clear water.
<Vigilant_GM> Midas takes a step back, and Servus walks in.
<Vigilant_GM> "Morning to you, Lord Guljian," he says stopping a few paces from the Interrogator.
<Baird> "A fine morning to you Captain. All of you be seated." Baird inclines his head towards some of the seating options opposite him.
* Tony takes a seat
<Vigilant_GM> The captain takes a seat. "Pardon for coming unannounced to bother you with the bastard details in the paperwork, but there's a detail we will need to discuss."
* Baird nods understandingly. "What seems to be the issue?"
<Vigilant_GM> "The term, you see, requires writing down and such. That is, for how long will you be requiring our services?" he says, pausing, looking at one of the set trays with refreshments. "May I?"
* Baird gestures towards the tray.
<Baird> "Of course."
<Vigilant_GM> He nods a thank-you, and helps himself as he listens for an answer.
<Baird> "As for term. I offer an alternative. Sign on permanently. Become apart of my house officially. Nothing will change for you. Except now you would be attached to my name, and there would no longer be a need for a constant search for work."
<Vigilant_GM> He abruptly stops sipping his recaff.
<Vigilant_GM> "Lord Guljian," he says setting down his cup, "I rarely argue against my own interests. However, this is highly unusual."
<Vigilant_GM> "The Houses of Juno war against one another nearly without reprieve. For their own security, they have parade-dressed ponces for Household guards. But for the fighting. The real fighting, it's us. The dogs of war, who are sent in to kill eachother until they're satisfied and settle their differences."
<Vigilant_GM> "The boys and I came here under the impression you planned to bring a war of your own to Juno. We're ready to fight, I assure you," he adds as though urging the Lord Guljian to come clean.
* Baird raises an eyebrow. "How so?" Baird takes a cup of recaff from the tray and takes a sip of it. "Normally, the hiring process involves..as you say..parade dressed ponces. I have no patience for the like. I want professionals. And should a war come to my doorstep..well. I want to be prepared."
<Baird> "I have no intention of beginning a war. But should the need arise I'd like to be able to finish one."
<Vigilant_GM> "Professionals is a kind word, my Lord. I command animals. Beasts of war, not a single one of which hasn't suffered a battlefield wound. Pretty parade guard will be a sharp change of pace."
<Baird> "I'm not looking for parade dressed ninnies Captain. Veterans of real combat is what I'm after and that's what I've hired. Now, I am sure that securing this estate and any potential locations I may acquire would be a change of pace from open combat in the streets."
<Baird> "Ultimately you know your men better than I. Are they capable of the adjustment?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Aye, I'm sure they will adjust in time. Even if they may get a bit... stir-crazy."
<Vigilant_GM> "See to it that they don't," Nils adds, sharply.
<Vigilant_GM> "No, of course. We will manage," he nods.
<Baird> "Excellent. So Captain, do we have an accord?"
<Vigilant_GM> "We do, my Lord. From whom will I be receiving my orders?"
* Baird gestures towards Katyian and Nico. "Commander of the Household Guard and my Master-At-Arms."
<Vigilant_GM> He nods.
<Vigilant_GM> "Then consider Maximilian Servus your humble servant."
<Baird> "Glad to have you aboard Maximillian." Baird stands and extends his hand towards the Captain.
<Vigilant_GM> He rises to his feet and shakes your hand.
<Vigilant_GM> "If that will be all, my Lord, I would like to inspect the barracks with Captain Servus," Nils says after you have made your agreement.
<Baird> "Of course." Baird nods and then returns to his seat and reading material.
<Vigilant_GM> "After you, Captain."
<Tony> "When you are settled in Captain, if you have any questions please do inform me, I will be in my office if you need me."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will be sure to find you, sir."
* Baird sends a servant to locate the members of the personal security of Lord Guljian, Cordius-Alpha, and have them all report to the Librarium.
<Vigilant_GM> Cordius-Alpha enters, wearing uniformed tunics. The acolytes look around the Librarium with genuine awe.
<Vigilant_GM> "You called for us, my Lord."
* Velam puffs up his chest at the sight of the wondrous Librarium. Curated, vetted, and organized by yours truly. "Magnificent isn't it?"
<Baird> "I have you first assignment." Baird passes Orsen a datapad with the relevant information that Velam has readied for the team. "You will act as agents of this house while on this assignment. Act appropriately as such."
<Vigilant_GM> "Such volumes filled with knowledge..." Mikael agrees with Velam, eyes scanning the shelves.
<Vigilant_GM> "We will do so. I'm sure Mikael can assist Mordecai on this matter."
<Vigilant_GM> Orsen pauses for a moment, reading through the details.
<Vigilant_GM> "What assets may we bring?" he finally asks, looking up.
<Velam> "I do ask you please take pertinent notes while exploring. The more detail the better. This will make assessment in the future much easier."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will do what I can to accomodate your request, Loremaster."
<Baird> "Use your discretion Orsen. I'm placing my faith in you."
<Vigilant_GM> "In which case we will be requisitioning use of one of the autocarriages."
<Baird> "Of course. Make your requisitions through Tabarius. He'll take care of it."
<Vigilant_GM> Orsen turns to the cell. "Right, meet me in the vehicle depot in 10. Be ready."
<Vigilant_GM> "My Lord," Orsen says with a bow of the head before leaving after his team.
<Velam> "If you'll excuse me Lord Guljian, I'll prepare the requisite paperwork for the cell and see them off." Velam nods to Baird before leaving.
* Baird nods. "Of course."
<Vigilant_GM> As the luxury Aquila idles its engines outside, ramp open for the approaching Throne Agents, Cordius-Alpha rolls out of Blackhall in an autocarriage, Mordecai with them.
* Velam waves after the auto-carriage. Like a father waving goodbye to his children.
* Karpath takes off from the landing platform and pilots the ship towards the hive.
<Vigilant_GM> The ascent from the Old Quarter sees the Throne Agents fly above the structures of the neglected plateau-high district, and into the upper spires of Vesuna Regnis, the capital spire, and home of the Pellucid Tower, the very heart of planetary and sector-wide government.
<Vigilant_GM> As Karpath maenuvers the aquila along the winding flight-paths, you can see the enormous atmosphere-scraping spires of the Basilica of Valerius Risen.
<Vigilant_GM> Diving into the center-hive air-routes, the traffic becomes terribly dense, and wrecklessly fast-paced.
* Velam keeps himself in the observation dome of the Aquila, making various notes of the architecture of the hive, a wondrous sight to behold to be sure.
<Tony> "Lord Guljian, a moment if you have the time."
* Tony he has a ponderous thought to him
<Vigilant_GM> At last, the grand basalt Regis Chancellery reveals itself. An enormous palace occupied by the Sector Administratum.
<Baird> "What is it Nico?" Baird looks up from his datapad that is loaded with digital copies of the archaeology texts.
<Vigilant_GM> Countless sub-divisions and bureaus are housed there, and if one can navigate the labyrinthine operation, planetary districting and ownership records may be found.
<Karpath> "We are almost here everyone, should be landing shortly."
<Tony> "With all we are going on, and our new home here, I have been thinking. Would you be willing to hire my Sister into this Estate."
<Vigilant_GM> Few of the shuttles along the traffic-ways divert to the Chancellery, and when Karpath makes the descending turn, the skies open up once more.
<Tony> "I have given it alot of thought, thou I feel it would be a better life for her, then what she does now..."
<Baird> "....what are her skills Nico. I should also point out that this will be a dangerous life..on multiple levels."
<Tony> "And a Underhive is any better? I know she is resourceful, at least last I seen her. But that has been years ago now.."
<Vigilant_GM> The spires, gargoyles, and arched windows of the Chancellery pass by the right viewports as the aquila begins to slow down and flare its angle of attack.
<Tony> "I don't want her to get involved, but I don't want her to still struggle."
* Baird holds up his hand. "Peace. I wasn't implying she didn't have value. I'm just reminding you of what the point of all this is."
<Baird> "Her involvement should be viewed as an eventuality. It is much safer to expect that outcome."
<Vigilant_GM> The thrusters pick up, blasting air towards the ground, as the landing struts deploy and settle against the stone-base platform underneath.
<Tony> "Hmmm... do you have any Family Sir..?"
<Baird> "However. Once the choir is established you may send her an astropathic communique."
<Baird> "I don't anymore. No."
<Vigilant_GM> The pitch of the engines rises in pitch, until the revolutions slow, and the engines briefly idle before shutting down altogether.
<Tony> "Even since I started my duty, I have not stopped thinking how she is doing. She is all the family I have left.."
* Karpath powers down the engins and makes his way down from the cockpit, "We are here my lord."
<Tony> "Please do consider it, we have a job to do as of now."
<Reclaimator_Almarax> "Enjoy your trip everyone..." he states, idly tinkering with a shock grenade.
* Karpath goes to lower the ramp.
<Velam> "Steady on, friend." Velam pats the Tech-Priest on the way down the ramp.
* Baird nods. "I've agreed already Nico. Just be prepared. She may not even be the same person you remember." He stands and makes for the ramp. "Well done Julian."