The Unseen Servant forums

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:09 amHe looked around and took a deep breath. "Until Ciencia is stable I am pronouncing myself Imperial Regent. We won't go behind her back, she is my beloved wife and mother of my unborn children" he nodded to Jaelah, "But we will not lose time." William met the eyes of each person in turn, lingering on Aster. "Will you support the rightful Empress of the Third Imperium? Will you support the Third Imperium?"

Jaelah faced him directly. "Show me where you have the authority to do that." Her voice was cold and flat, and her dark features were inscrutable as she stared at him.

joertexas wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:18 am

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:09 amHe looked around and took a deep breath. "Until Ciencia is stable I am pronouncing myself Imperial Regent. We won't go behind her back, she is my beloved wife and mother of my unborn children" he nodded to Jaelah, "But we will not lose time." William met the eyes of each person in turn, lingering on Aster. "Will you support the rightful Empress of the Third Imperium? Will you support the Third Imperium?"

Jaelah faced him directly. "Show me where you have the authority to do that." Her voice was cold and flat, and her dark features were inscrutable as she stared at him.

“He doesn’t,” Aster said, rubbing her face with one hand. “As Prince Consort, you have exactly zero authority, William. No more than the empress had in simply influencing her husband while he was alive. Power flows through your wife and her alone. On the other side, Ciencia isn’t the empress, Jaelah. Technically, the Moot needs to confirm her and with her not there, that’s not likely. One more strike against her. Also, we don’t know that Dulinor left Capital. We’re guessing. He might already be pressing the Moot for the crown.”

She tossed back her drink. “Action is outside our mandate. Seriously, whether the Zho are going to do something or not, it isn’t our call to go after them and I’m not sure that’s the best course of action anyway. Ciencia needs to hear what that have to say without us mucking it up. That said, discussing what we can do without doing it is right and proper.”

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:50 am

She tossed back her drink. “Action is outside our mandate. Seriously, whether the Zho are going to do something or not, it isn’t our call to go after them and I’m not sure that’s the best course of action anyway. Ciencia needs to hear what that have to say without us mucking it up. That said, discussing what we can do without doing it is right and proper.”

Walt-
"My fear, Aster, is that the Ambassador may make a break for the teleportal to reveal what transpired aboard the ship to the Consolate. He said he was going to a hotel to wait until Ciencia wished to speak. I sincerely hope that's the case...which hotel? That's why I want them followed. If they are disingenuine and instead move to a teleportal, I want to intercede. Need the location to make that telportation if needed, hence I need eyes on them. If we can't intercept them in time, I want that portal destroyed.

If the Ambassador is true to his word, which I hope and pray he is, I need to know that too. Trust but verify! I'm sure he's expecting us to verify, so I don't think he'd be surprised if he detects a drone tail."

Not to derail what you’re all doing here, but William wants to speak to the former empress and then Ciencia in the morning and rather than halting everyone else when that happens, I’m going to run a concurrent thread for that.

William sleeps poorly once the evening actions conclude. He wakes up from the alarm he set in his neural link and extracted himself from Ciencia and before dressing.

No one else is up when he makes his way to the medbay. No one except Roscoe.

“Good morning,” Roscoe said through the overhead speakers. “Both Ciencia and her mother are fully recovered but sedated. The memory transfer occurred last night, so they both will have memories of what happened. You said you wanted to speak with her mother first. Shall I wake her?”

Thumper wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:11 am

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:50 am

She tossed back her drink. “Action is outside our mandate. Seriously, whether the Zho are going to do something or not, it isn’t our call to go after them and I’m not sure that’s the best course of action anyway. Ciencia needs to hear what that have to say without us mucking it up. That said, discussing what we can do without doing it is right and proper.”

Walt-
"My fear, Aster, is that the Ambassador may make a break for the teleportal to reveal what transpired aboard the ship to the Consolate. He said he was going to a hotel to wait until Ciencia wished to speak. I sincerely hope that's the case...which hotel? That's why I want them followed. If they are disingenuine and instead move to a teleportal, I want to intercede. Need the location to make that telportation if needed, hence I need eyes on them. If we can't intercept them in time, I want that portal destroyed.

If the Ambassador is true to his word, which I hope and pray he is, I need to know that too. Trust but verify! I'm sure he's expecting us to verify, so I don't think he'd be surprised if he detects a drone tail."

“I understand your fear, but do you really think they have ancients tech that they could spare for this? He would need to get one end of a teleportal here. As we didn’t know where we were going before we jumped out, that seems unlikely. Even if he sent one end here via ship, that would mean he has a hop drive. If he does, don’t you think that makes more sense?

“No matter what you fear he might do, I can assure you that people know where he went. If you act against him, that might very well be the excuse they need to kick off the war. Let it be and hope for the best.”

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:50 am

joertexas wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:18 am

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:09 amHe looked around and took a deep breath. "Until Ciencia is stable I am pronouncing myself Imperial Regent. We won't go behind her back, she is my beloved wife and mother of my unborn children" he nodded to Jaelah, "But we will not lose time." William met the eyes of each person in turn, lingering on Aster. "Will you support the rightful Empress of the Third Imperium? Will you support the Third Imperium?"

Jaelah faced him directly. "Show me where you have the authority to do that." Her voice was cold and flat, and her dark features were inscrutable as she stared at him.

“He doesn’t,” Aster said, rubbing her face with one hand. “As Prince Consort, you have exactly zero authority, William. No more than the empress had in simply influencing her husband while he was alive. Power flows through your wife and her alone. On the other side, Ciencia isn’t the empress, Jaelah. Technically, the Moot needs to confirm her and with her not there, that’s not likely. One more strike against her. Also, we don’t know that Dulinor left Capital. We’re guessing. He might already be pressing the Moot for the crown.”

She tossed back her drink. “Action is outside our mandate. Seriously, whether the Zho are going to do something or not, it isn’t our call to go after them and I’m not sure that’s the best course of action anyway. Ciencia needs to hear what that have to say without us mucking it up. That said, discussing what we can do without doing it is right and proper.”

William shook his head. "I have the authority that comes with my title of nobility. Certainly that is bounded but if Ciencia is unable to make decisions for a prolonged period of time someone needs to act for her. Shear humanity requires action, fairly immediate action. As Imperial nobles we have a mandate to protect and serve the Imperium. I will not let trillions burn while we quibble." He set down. "I don't want to start an argument. Ciencia may be fine in the morning."

"Dulinor may be pressing the moot for the crown but with Ciencia known to be alive he will have difficulty gaining a majority. He is not well liked." William looked at Walt and Aster. "Let's surveil the Zhodani but not move on them. Personally, what have the Zhodani to gain from attacking but to rally the Empire against them? There wars have been about curtailing Imperial expansionism. They don't want to digest the Marches. They will let the Aslan and Vargr tie us down."

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:14 am Not to derail what you’re all doing here, but William wants to speak to the former empress and then Ciencia in the morning and rather than halting everyone else when that happens, I’m going to run a concurrent thread for that.

William sleeps poorly once the evening actions conclude. He wakes up from the alarm he set in his neural link and extracted himself from Ciencia and before dressing.

No one else is up when he makes his way to the medbay. No one except Roscoe.

“Good morning,” Roscoe said through the overhead speakers. “Both Ciencia and her mother are fully recovered but sedated. The memory transfer occurred last night, so they both will have memories of what happened. You said you wanted to speak with her mother first. Shall I wake her?”

William nodded slowly in the affirmative.

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:50 amShe tossed back her drink. “Action is outside our mandate. Seriously, whether the Zho are going to do something or not, it isn’t our call to go after them and I’m not sure that’s the best course of action anyway. Ciencia needs to hear what that have to say without us mucking it up. That said, discussing what we can do without doing it is right and proper.”

"One thing to keep in mind is that no one here will hear about the assassination for several months at least. We have a little time." Jaelah looked to Roscoe. "On that note, I will leave you all to your private discussions. Roscoe, please take me home."

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:27 am

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:14 am Not to derail what you’re all doing here, but William wants to speak to the former empress and then Ciencia in the morning and rather than halting everyone else when that happens, I’m going to run a concurrent thread for that.

William sleeps poorly once the evening actions conclude. He wakes up from the alarm he set in his neural link and extracted himself from Ciencia and before dressing.

No one else is up when he makes his way to the medbay. No one except Roscoe.

“Good morning,” Roscoe said through the overhead speakers. “Both Ciencia and her mother are fully recovered but sedated. The memory transfer occurred last night, so they both will have memories of what happened. You said you wanted to speak with her mother first. Shall I wake her?”

William nodded slowly in the affirmative.

The surgeon bot rolls out and works on the autodoc. A minute later, the lid comes up and you can see the empress sleeping. Her wounds are gone and she looks at peace. That won’t last.

When the bot administers a shot and rolls back, she begins to stir. First her eyes flutter and then she gasps and sits bolt upright, staring around. Her eyes lock on you.

“Where is Ciencia?” she demands. “Please, please let her be alive.”

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:22 am

“I understand your fear, but do you really think they have ancients tech that they could spare for this? He would need to get one end of a teleportal here. As we didn’t know where we were going before we jumped out, that seems unlikely. Even if he sent one end here via ship, that would mean he has a hop drive. If he does, don’t you think that makes more sense?

“No matter what you fear he might do, I can assure you that people know where he went. If you act against him, that might very well be the excuse they need to kick off the war. Let it be and hope for the best.”

Walt-
"Honestly,I was thinking it more likely that the Zho found a network of teleportals like we did. And pre-planted them around the Frontier region. I thought that more plausible than the Zho having developed a hop drive. But you would know a whole lot more about that field than I do. I'll defer to your expertise.

So what do you propose we do if they go to a ship and that hop-drive ship attempts to depart? Let them go? If the Zho have developed hop drive, we have less time than I originally thought before Ciencia's frontier war begins."

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:32 am
When the bot administers a shot and rolls back, she begins to stir. First her eyes flutter and then she gasps and sits bolt upright, staring around. Her eyes lock on you.

“Where is Ciencia?” she demands. “Please, please let her be alive.”

William took her hand. "She is alive and well. One version of her sacrificed her life to save you knowing that there was another version of her alive." He gestured nearby. "She is sleeping peacefully here and in our state room."

Thumper wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:36 am

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:22 am

“I understand your fear, but do you really think they have ancients tech that they could spare for this? He would need to get one end of a teleportal here. As we didn’t know where we were going before we jumped out, that seems unlikely. Even if he sent one end here via ship, that would mean he has a hop drive. If he does, don’t you think that makes more sense?

“No matter what you fear he might do, I can assure you that people know where he went. If you act against him, that might very well be the excuse they need to kick off the war. Let it be and hope for the best.”

Walt-
"Honestly,I was thinking it more likely that the Zho found a network of teleportals like we did. And pre-planted them around the Frontier region. I thought that more plausible than the Zho having developed a hop drive. But you would know a whole lot more about that field than I do. I'll defer to your expertise.

So what do you propose we do if they go to a ship and that hop-drive ship attempts to depart? Let them go? If the Zho have developed hop drive, we have less time than I originally thought before Ciencia's frontier war begins."

William shook his head. "I doubt if the Zhodani have a hop drive. Doctor Metz, what is your evaluation of Zhodani Jump technology?"

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:39 am

Thumper wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:36 am

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:22 am

“I understand your fear, but do you really think they have ancients tech that they could spare for this? He would need to get one end of a teleportal here. As we didn’t know where we were going before we jumped out, that seems unlikely. Even if he sent one end here via ship, that would mean he has a hop drive. If he does, don’t you think that makes more sense?

“No matter what you fear he might do, I can assure you that people know where he went. If you act against him, that might very well be the excuse they need to kick off the war. Let it be and hope for the best.”

Walt-
"Honestly,I was thinking it more likely that the Zho found a network of teleportals like we did. And pre-planted them around the Frontier region. I thought that more plausible than the Zho having developed a hop drive. But you would know a whole lot more about that field than I do. I'll defer to your expertise.

So what do you propose we do if they go to a ship and that hop-drive ship attempts to depart? Let them go? If the Zho have developed hop drive, we have less time than I originally thought before Ciencia's frontier war begins."

William shook his head. "I doubt if the Zhodani have a hop drive. Doctor Metz, what is your evaluation of Zhodani Jump technology?"

“It hardly matters,” Metz said. “A hop freighter from Glisten was in orbit around Collace while we were there. I’m sure I mentioned it. Or maybe I didn’t. In any case, how much money do you think they’d offer the owner? Would he sell? If so, that matches the facts in evidence more than a teleportal network.”

Looking back, I only told Tiglath via PM so he could pass the information along if he felt like it. In the end, only the Zho ambassador found out, it seems. Blame Metz’s absent minded professor gene for not passing it along.

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:37 am

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:32 am
When the bot administers a shot and rolls back, she begins to stir. First her eyes flutter and then she gasps and sits bolt upright, staring around. Her eyes lock on you.

“Where is Ciencia?” she demands. “Please, please let her be alive.”

William took her hand. "She is alive and well. One version of her sacrificed her life to save you knowing that there was another version of her alive." He gestured nearby. "She is sleeping peacefully here and in our state room."

“Thank the gods for that. My husband?” She closed her eyes and spoke more softly. “No, he would be here if he could, so he can’t. He’s dead, isn’t he?”

Looking back, I only told Tiglath via PM so he could pass the information along if he’d felt like it. In the end, only the Zho ambassador found out, it seems. Blame Metz’s absent minded professor gene for not passing it along.

Walt-
With a verbal slap to the forehead tone in his voice: ”Well damn, it’s really that simple? That does answer just about all my questions, and alleviates my fears about the Ambassador. Let’s just put eyes on that transport and its approaches instead. Maybe on the ship’s captain when he leaves ship.

Can anybody explain how the Anbassador knew we were headed to Aki?

The Ambassador must be stunned by the revelation of hop ships and nearly instantaneous transport across the imperium.”

On a side note: ”Aster, does your department have any additional artifacts that we should use Ciencia’s authority to put into our possession? Anything in their inventory that we should get hood of before word of her father’s assassination spreads to those locations? Artifacts that would benefit us baby ancients, or things we should keep out of warring factions’ hands?”

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 5:01 am

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:37 am

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:32 am
When the bot administers a shot and rolls back, she begins to stir. First her eyes flutter and then she gasps and sits bolt upright, staring around. Her eyes lock on you.

“Where is Ciencia?” she demands. “Please, please let her be alive.”

William took her hand. "She is alive and well. One version of her sacrificed her life to save you knowing that there was another version of her alive." He gestured nearby. "She is sleeping peacefully here and in our state room."

“Thank the gods for that. My husband?” She closed her eyes and spoke more softly. “No, he would be here if he could, so he can’t. He’s dead, isn’t he?”

William nodded reluctantly. "Dulinor killed him. The other version of Ciencia, the one sleeping next to you, and the Aslan Ambassador were severely wounded in an attempt to save him. I am ever so sorry."

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 5:09 am

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 5:01 am

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 4:37 am

William took her hand. "She is alive and well. One version of her sacrificed her life to save you knowing that there was another version of her alive." He gestured nearby. "She is sleeping peacefully here and in our state room."

“Thank the gods for that. My husband?” She closed her eyes and spoke more softly. “No, he would be here if he could, so he can’t. He’s dead, isn’t he?”

William nodded reluctantly. "Dulinor killed him. The other version of Ciencia, the one sleeping next to you, and the Aslan Ambassador were severely wounded in an attempt to save him. I am ever so sorry."

“He was too good a man for the universe we live in. I and others worried this was coming, but he never believed us. He would never have believed Dulinor would be the one to do it, either.”

She opened her eyes. “Our marriage was an arranged affair and while I can’t say I loved him, he was a friend. Don’t think me cold because I’m not destroyed. It hurts but there are things to do that we have to focus on and grief must wait.

“Ciencia will need us, though. This will crush her. She loved him so much. Help me up and find me something to wear. Is there anything else I need to know to advise her?”

Thumper wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 5:06 am

Looking back, I only told Tiglath via PM so he could pass the information along if he’d felt like it. In the end, only the Zho ambassador found out, it seems. Blame Metz’s absent minded professor gene for not passing it along.

Walt-
With a verbal slap to the forehead tone in his voice: ”Well damn, it’s really that simple? That does answer just about all my questions, and alleviates my fears about the Ambassador. Let’s just put eyes on that transport and its approaches instead. Maybe on the ship’s captain when he leaves ship.

Can anybody explain how the Anbassador knew we were headed to Aki?

The Ambassador must be stunned by the revelation of hop ships and nearly instantaneous transport across the imperium.”

On a side note: ”Aster, does your department have any additional artifacts that we should use Ciencia’s authority to put into our possession? Anything in their inventory that we should get hood of before word of her father’s assassination spreads to those locations? Artifacts that would benefit us baby ancients, or things we should keep out of warring factions’ hands?”

“I have located the hop freighter,” Roscoe said. “It is parked not three hundred meters from us. I am dispatching micro drones to watch it.”

Aster nodded. “I’m sure they do but I have no idea where they are kept or what they do. That was above my pay grade before. My guess is that they were shipped to Vincennes for study.”

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:09 am He looked around and took a deep breath. "Until Ciencia is stable I am pronouncing myself Imperial Regent. We won't go behind her back, she is my beloved wife and mother of my unborn children" he nodded to Jaelah, "But we will not lose time." William met the eyes of each person in turn, lingering on Aster. "Will you support the rightful Empress of the Third Imperium? Will you support the Third Imperium?"

Garvin interrupts his brooding study of the contents of his glass "I can't swear blind obedience to the Third Imperium because I know it's run by corrupt nobility. I'd be lyin' right out loud an' quietly to meself if I did. O' course I'll 'elp out my friends an' gladly follow the woman I love to me own destruction but I'm only savin' the Empire to change it for the better. I'll also follow the lead of the man who just made himself Emperor". He meets William's gaze "That was just so frightnin'ly easy an' looked like exactly the proper an' right thing to do didn't it? I'm not sayin' it wasn't - but even the chances we take where we seem to 'ave no choice can go wrong on us. We should be really careful takin' executive action".

He chuckles humourlessly as he acknowledges Jaelah with a wink and gives William a genuinely warm smile "There's a certain twist 'ere - bit of yer irony. Both our representatives of the much abused Imperial citizenry, funnily enough themselves representin' both the Rule of Imperial Law an'... I'll call meself... "The Self Preservation Society", are sayin' "Go steady" 'ere while those with Imperial military service 'ave already seized ultimate power. Didn't take us long to give the other side the chance to label us both "usurpers" and "False Emperor's of the Flag"... maybe "Emperor of the False Flag" might 'ave more of a ring to it... What d'you think? "We" also appear to be plannin' acts of unsolicited aggression against foreign diplomats that will give them casus belli by the bucketful an' the moral 'igh ground of self defence. Did I miss anythin' else?"

"Here's another option to consider - as well as not makin' yerself Regent. Rule by Imperial Warrant gives you both authority and legitimacy if we need it. Another thought - "What if we come clean - sort of?" Start hop couriers towards Core now denouncing Dulinor and confirmin' Ciencia's legitimate claim. If nothin' else we paint more of the map our colour an' as soon as Dulinor appreciates the speed at which our message has moved it's goin' to 'ave 'im lookin' over 'is shoulder for a hop drive equipped Fleet. Might put time on our side. In my experience you need that whether you're in a fight or runnin' a caper".

Flipping a star map up on his comm he adds "If a hop drive can vault the Rift we can 'ave word in Gushemege, Illeish and Daibei possibly even before Dulinor's proclaimed 'imself there. Let's stir up as much trouble for 'im as we can, eh?"

terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 3:21 pm

helvorn wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 5:09 am
William nodded reluctantly. "Dulinor killed him. The other version of Ciencia, the one sleeping next to you, and the Aslan Ambassador were severely wounded in an attempt to save him. I am ever so sorry."

“He was too good a man for the universe we live in. I and others worried this was coming, but he never believed us. He would never have believed Dulinor would be the one to do it, either.”

She opened her eyes. “Our marriage was an arranged affair and while I can’t say I loved him, he was a friend. Don’t think me cold because I’m not destroyed. It hurts but there are things to do that we have to focus on and grief must wait.

“Ciencia will need us, though. This will crush her. She loved him so much. Help me up and find me something to wear. Is there anything else I need to know to advise her?”

"From what I know of him from Ciencia and my own research your husband was indeed a good man. Thank you for your willingness to focus. We have to worry about a Zhodani Ambassador that may have seen too much. Other than that you know the situation as well as I do." William sighed. "Unless we disappear and let Dulinor to take over or God forbid the Imperium fracture completely we have to act decisively and quickly. Ciencia must lead and firmly. We want to avoid an open Civil War but it may come to that. It may come to that no matter what we do. My intention is to support Ciencia in whatever she wants to do for the final decision is hers." While he was speaking William asked Roscoe over the net. "Can you provide clothing for both Ciencia's and the Dowager Empress please?"

He reached down and offered his hand to Iphigenia. "Keep the flame alive and burning. Give your daughter love and hope. She needs that now more than plans of vengeance or escape."