30 (DSV Nautica) War
The Curator and The Architect stood in the matriarch's chamber, silently mulling over what they had been told. It wasn't going to be easy. They stole a glance at each other, reluctant to do as they were told."I never said it would be easy. It's really the only practical solution to the resonance waves."The Architect spoke in a hushed tone. "Matriarch...""Speak"He bowed before her. "The last time this was attempted-""Triggered a neutron star collapse. I am very aware of the risks."The Architect nodded. "Ill need time to make a portal ship small enough to make it to AU-945""Good. Take what time you need, but no more than you need."Both officials bowed out of the council chamber, before heading toward the massive data library. They walked side by side, throats dry."You think this is a good idea?""Shh. She could still be listening. It's not our place to question her."The council filed in slowly, in two single file lines. One line from each side of the room, they slowly took their assigned seats at the large ovular table, their faces a mixture of excitement, apprehension, and displeasure. The chairman took a seat at the head of the table, opposite the Matriarch. She rotated the chair to face them all, a total of 21 members. Her chair was seated quite a bit higher than the rest of them, reminding them whose presence they were in. As if they could forget.For 5 minutes, they sat in silence, communicating with each other and sorting out their thoughts together before bringing them to the matriarch.Finally, the chairman stood, making eye contact with her."Matriarch, we have concerns. The first and foremost concern is that Draconids could use the bridge to cross back to our home. That would be catastrophic for us, but I don't need to say it for everyone to know it. All eyes were on her."I have considered this. As a result, only the captains of the ships may activate the bridge. Also, The gatekeeper on this side of the bridge must give clearance before the bridge opens for any ship. It's a risk, but we can disable the bifrost at any time. Completely shut it down. Of course we wouldn't have it any other way."The council was silent. They could come up with nothing in return to that."Where is the start point being implemented?""At a pulsar approximately 15,000 light years away. The endpoint will be placed toward the center of the AU-945 galactic disk. We will need a sizable force to hold the system the bridge ends in. This means an army."This news didn't hit the council too well. They had remained silent up to this point, but at this news they began to verbally protest. "Never! We cannot host an army!""It has never been done before!""Not now!"A couple council members stood up to protest. The matriarch gave the arm of her chair a pound, like a judge using a gavel. The room fell silent, and the councilmembers
took their seats.
"This army will be a volunteer only army. There will be incentives, but I doubt we will need to go beyond the Ayr'een mission to reason with the people. They will ultimately speak and decide how this goes. I was simply informing you of this development. You will be summoned again the next time I am in need of your services."This closing remark left the council confused and slightly angry. It was uncharacteristic of these meetings to end like this, but in the end she held most of the power in the empire, and she could make this happen if she wished.The Thanatos rattled around Flares team, the ride bumpy past what she anticipated. Lyn was having one hell of a time trying to controlling the ship. The damage wasn't making for a very smooth ride. "Lyn...ease up."Lyn had been tense the whole time. Her first time back in action after her injury left her with tunnel vision. Her new mail arm was much more powerful than a flesh and blood arm, but it was cold and unfeeling. She fostered a blind hate in her heart she was hiding all too well."Lyn, ease up now."She resynced and rechecked the primary controls and weapons, diverting most power to the shields."Nic'lyn'ayr'zhi!" Flare roared Lyns birth name, snapping her out of it. "Yes, commander?""Autopilot now, and wait outside the bridge. I need a word with you."