"Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore, take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of justice: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)." ~ Ancient Earth Prophet
Flight Deck, Imperious Will
Zenith Point, Edenstar System
Pentagram Cluster, Solar Hegemony in Exile
Seventy-two centrons. Three whirlwind days of briefings, meetings, committees, crash courses on Solarian Hegemony history, language, culture, religion, and etiquette, more meetings, not so brief briefings, paperwork, coordination, logistics, security planning and more. That's how long it took to go from accepting the Regent's invitation to Lizrael standing here. Here being at the base of the loading ramp, off to the side of course, no one wanted a three-hundred tan combat tripod stepping on them as a column of three of the metallic monsters shuffled up that ramp, safety klaxons blaring out their rhythmic racket, of the Dragonfly class heavy drop transport. Lizzy hadn't stopped to get a count, but she was quite certain she had not snuck in much more than four total hours sleep during the whole time.
Standing clustered around her for their final briefing before contact was their mission commander Prentice Verathun, their chief advisor (and Zindari Master and exercise grader) Da’ath Aretwe, Captain-Senior Jyord Knossos of Bui Company of the 375th Tinumaethor Herth. The Tinumaethor Corps comprised the elite starship-mobile espacier-infantry of the Imperial Army of Zindar and each Hekatonchirowe class battle-carrier typically deployed with one reinforced expeditionary Herth aboard, which seemed about the same size as what the local Solarians called a 'Battalion'. Also present were Flight Leader SG Hamal Zylvarastel of Odew Squadron of 5112th Tinu Supremacy Wing, Doctor Cul-Kutaan Caballa a red-skinned half-Zindari in the robes of the Archivists' Guild, and one Kalyn Vitaan, a silent brooding azure-skinned, crimson eyed, rose haired Xiss - one of the many halfling branch-races of mixed Alfar and Atani blood - female, antennae quivering, wearing a sanitized, anonymous field-officer’s uniform without name or insignia, whom Lizrael was most certain was with Intelligence.
"Look-alive people, we're wheels-up in thirty, hope you packed your extra skivvies because Formal only knows when this little trip will be back" yelled Verathun over the immensity of the background roar of an active flight deck. "I will go over the operation once more, as this is your last chance to ask questions if you do not understand anything. At zero four thirty hours, shipboard clock, we will proceed in-system at one point five standard gravity absolute reckoning. Yes, we could get there faster, much, much faster, but our friendly local escorts wouldn't be able to keep up. And let me be clear, WE. DO. NOT. WANT. to spook our new friends." Verathun pushed a little with the Formal, reaching out in the aether to emphasize his point, not any sort of mental command or anything, just, emphasizing, so that everyone would know in their guts that he was serious.
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