Ustong Interlude

Sergio paced the deck of the bridge, brows furrowed deep in thought. All around him, the traditional warm, autumnal colours of his house did little to lighten his mood. None of the Ustong gathered here could meet his eyes.

“Fourteen million confirmed KIA, estimates as high as thirty. The distress beacons don’t lie. This raid started three weeks before the missive was sent to Mars. It can only mean one thing…”

He exhaled, leaning against a wall of screens. "This rebellion was planned. The Emperor expected it."

One weathered voidsman, a respected armsmaster, interjected. “They’re pirates! Scum! They sensed the Throne rejected us, and took advantage of its absence.”

Sergio shook his head. "These are no pirates. There was no looting, no kidnapping. In its stead, indiscriminate bombardment- bustling factories reduced to craters, thriving settlements, razed. There's no profit in the raiding because profit wasn't the goal, only destruction. The ERC has stayed at arm's length of the great houses for decades, and only dares to attack us now? At the dawn of our uprising? No, this was planned! It was all planned!"

The atmosphere in the bridge grew tense as he continued, sinking into a tirade. "Our patriarchs are fools! Nightshayd, damn them, already stalk their halls! They'll tear us out by the roots!"

A small navigator, treasured for his mind, eyes clouded with cataracts, spoke. "There is no choice, my liege. House Heinrich would see the fruits of a millennia's work destro-"

Sergio scowled. "-SPOILED! Given out to the merchants and mercenaries that fill that xenophile's court! We never had a choice but to rebel, our pride demands it!"

The heir took out a handkerchief, embroidered by his mother with the emblem of their house. A calloused bronze hand digging into red clay. He pressed it to his face and breathed deeply, trying to soothe the turmoil within.

"...we never had a chance."

He stilled his grief and stood tall. "No matter. The common raiders lie ahead. I've seen them on the sensors. Albin's dogs are cornered now. We may never see Mars, but for our massacred subjects, we will see vengeance!"

"Forward! Ustong Remains!"

The nobles raised a battle-cry. "Ustong Remains!"