C40 To cast the dice
To cast the dice.
Marianna groaned inwardly as she read the current situation report. The repairs on the Hope begun to take shape quicker now, as the first reactor had been repaired, and was currently in the process of being gradually reintegrated into the Hope’s systems. Currently working at only 20%, but with the aid of the Siren’s, Hope could slowly adjust the required settings to slowly turn the reactor up in efficiency.
It would probably be another day or two before it would be running at full, and with that, the Hope could run independently again without the need for Edens backup power-supplies. The reintegration of the second reactor should be no problem after that.
The shield research was coming along also, as they determined that it indeed worked a lot like a theorized warp bubble, if with some less desirable side effects as the shields use within planetary orbits was prohibitively dangerous, due to how it could interfere with a planets magnetosphere.
But in essence, it allowed the Hope to skim along the gravitational influence of other objects, so that, unless it was a super-massive black hole, it could evade objects in it’s path during travels up to 78% the speed of light. After that, the stress for the current configuration for the system would be to harsh, it would likely collapse, and the ship itself would be ripped to shreds while in transit.
What was more worrisome to her was Anthony’s recent activity though. He had become more motivated, not only in his efforts to repair the Hope, but also with her Daughters. Where before he would have been more timid in his choice of partners, with only one case of outright sexual assault, he now would invite himself to any of the Siren aboard the hope, even those that did not play his game of, keeping their ass bare for him.
For a Siren, that wasn’t so bad, he was actually growing quite a fan-base amongst the Siren over there, some of which sought the occasional excuse to be around him, just in case he felt the urge again. But overall, it was not exactly increasing her chances to get out of this unscathed. And Marianna was slowly wondering if she even should bother resisting it.
It was a Siren’s nature to crave submission, and it has been over 500 years for her, so it was not like she had a great resistance to that seductive prospect to begin with. But she had made a promise with Jonathan in the past, as Eden was growing to become the Paradise he longed it to be.
And choice no longer seemed to matter, as Kira had slipped a hint through one of the other Siren, that Anthony was actually able to force their Chosen self out, which removed any choice for a Siren. He already had broken in another Siren to become his, and by every indication, he begun to see them as nothing but slaves for him to use and keep.
“ Ugh, this is not looking very promising. “Marianna muttered to herself, leaning back while she massaged the bridge of her nose.
Anthony’s new ship was ready, an aged Terran frigate with heavy modifications done by Pirates. Rail gun turrets where usually there had been gatlings installed, and missile-mines as a new addition, which was a Pirate special, aiming to strike at drive systems to incapacitate ships.
For an old frigate, it was over the top, but for todays Terran ships, it was indeed outdated. And the Pride’s fall, as this ship was called, was permitted to be flown in Terran space based on the fact that it was considered aged and legal, as long as no one noticed the missile-mine launchers, which were hidden well enough behind special armor platings.
The hopeful assumption was, for now, that once he was given the ship, and all the information, that he would have a look at what humanity had become today. There was a lot to explore for him in that regard, and potential for him to find something to occupy himself with, with the assumption that the first had every intent to steer his movements, at least to some degree.
“ Rough day ? “ Thomas uttered as he entered the Conference room in Marianna’s private residence, interrupting her in her contemplation.
“ Yeah, no matter how I look at this, it doesn’t look good for us. There is no saying what he will do, and if I read into his actions on the Hope, well, he’s indeed getting a taste for Siren now. “ Marianna groaned.
“ So, your worried he’ll bend you over, and give you a good time, eh ? “ Thomas spoke, which had Marianna look at him with initial confusion as it did not sound like anything Thomas would say, not so bluntly anyway.
And then she realized it, that wasn’t Thomas, he looked like him, but unlike Thomas’s usually gentle demeanor, this version was, confident, cocky even.
“ Ugh, Modaran. I would be quite thankful if you would refrained from using that face, he is a friend of mine. “ Marianna protested to the other.
“ I am aware, and it confused your AI well enough to let me move in here unhindered. She was unable to determine how Thomas was able to leave his residence and suddenly appear here in the matter of moments. “ Modaran said with a smile that Marianna found unfitting for Thomas’s face.
“ I am updating my Algorithms as we speak. “ Aria interjected, as if in protest.
“ Attitude, I like it. Shame your lacking the capacity to spread your wings, little one. “ Modaran teased.
“ Would you stop teasing her ? “ Marianna insisted, and then added. “ What brings the firstborn here ? “
Modaran, firstborn Nah’Rahan of the First, and a conundrum to his sisters that they had long since given up trying to understand. Unlike all the other Nah’Rahan, he held no taste for simple pleasures or baser desires.
He had a more inquisitive nature, to the point that some suspected that it was his source of pleasure, that, and to chase after the First with an incessant desire to understand, and possibly change her in her ways.
He clearly cared for the First, which in itself was uncharacteristic for a Nah’Rahan, and he seemed to suspect that the First was hiding a secret, which surprised none of their kind. The First had many secrets, and Modaran was perhaps one of them, as he was created different then the rest, and possibly on purpose.
“ Spoilsport. “ Modaran responded, and finally dropped his disguise as he reshaped himself into a form similar to the First, a vulpine humanoid with wings too large for his small frame. His fur a rustic orange with a white belly, and mere loincloth to grant him modesty.
“ So, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit ? “ Marianna spoke in sarcasm, knowing very well that, if Modaran showed up, something was about to happen, as he never truly cared to involve himself in the affairs of other Nah’rahan besides the First.
“ I am here to offer my help. “ He suggested as he sat down, his Emerald green gaze directed straight at her.
It reminded Marianna how he was a sort of, mirror image of the first, a polar opposite in so many ways, save for the appearance. He looked just like her, or, what she would look like if she had chosen a male appearance. A rather short one at that, which gave him a sometimes childish appearance, nearly cute even.
“ You never help, you never meddle. So I believe what your offering is more of a trade, is it not ? “ Marianna spoke, knowing well enough how he operated.
“ You could say so, yes. “ Modaran responded, not really trying to deny it.
“ So, what is it your offering, and what do you want ? “ Marianna got straight to the point.
“ I’ll handle Mothers latest pet project in five days. And in return, you let me use Eden. “ Modaran stated.
“ Use Eden ? “ Marianna uttered with a hint of anger now.
“ Marianna, we both know your not made to rule. Be it a war with the Terran’s, or this, Anthony.
If it comes to either situation, you would break. If the Terran’s would care to start understanding you, they would have your daughters eat out of their hands and turn this world into one of their colonies, if your lucky.
Personally I would think, Eden might just become a resort world, a brothel, and you’d just be one of the eager whore’s serving their every whim. Though I suspect some of your girls would end up being picked apart in some lab.
The only reason that did not happen, is because Mother intervened, and she usually doesn’t until after the fact, which would have cost the Terran’s dearly. “ Modaran suggested quite blatantly.
“ So, your saying you would have me abdicate, and let you reshape Eden into something you need it to be ? “ Marianna asked, her anger not at all subsiding yet.
“ No. Don’t get me wrong, I like what your doing here. Unlike your Sisters, your paving a new path, and while I don’t know why you have chosen it, I think it a good Idea, I actually want to see it flourish.
So, I wont have you give up power, I want you to keep it in fact. But if there are important decisions to be made, like with the Terran’s and Anthony, I will intervene on your behalf.
And, in return, you gather the human Psyker’s here, with the exception of Anthony. He can come here to benefit from their knowledge, but I have a feeling that he wont be that easy to deal with in the future. “ Modaran elaborated.
“ Why the Psyker’s ? “ Marianna asked, hesitantly curious now.
“ Because if they are consolidated in one spot, they will be easier to grow in numbers. Psyker’s have a higher success chance to create offspring with heightened psychic sensitivity. And I have a feeling, we may need them in the future.
Honestly, the chances for Psyker’s to grow in number is vastly restricted right now, the Terran Commonwealth is so scared of their occurrence, they are more inclined to kill them the moment they show power that they can not control.
And those they can, are not seldom forcibly conscripted into military service, where they can be watched and used. “ Modaran explained.
“ You want us to breed with them ? “ Marianna asked.
“ Your already breeding with humans, it wont make a difference, other then that your helping a minority to grow.
For that matter, Thomas. I think, it may be a good idea for you to consider him as a Mate. I believe he will help you keep this world stable, reduce the amount of influence I have to exact over your world, and you need someone that knows the Psyker’s anyway. “ He responded.
“ And what about, the First ? “ Marianna suggested, implying that the First may have intended for Anthony to take Eden.
“ Oh, I am sure she is watching right now. If she had anything against my interference, she would have already acted. And even if she intended for Anthony to take control over this world, it would have little to no value if he did not work for it, hm ?
Far as I can tell, he is emotionally barely stable right now. He is getting there, but If things were made to be simply handed to him, what would be the value in that ? There would be no true growth for him to go through. “ Modaran utters.
“ What do you know ? What is the first trying to achieve with him ? “ Marianna asked, feeling like Modaran had understood part of the Firsts plan, or was even, somehow, involved.
“ I am not sure. A wolf, planted to seed chaos ?
Right now, he is barely more then a pup, scared of his own shadow. But Mother would not nourish a pup, unless it could become a bloodthirsty hound for her. Though, I have my doubts that she aims to leash him.” Modaran suggests.
“ And what makes you so sure of that ?! “ Marianna insisted.
“ The sisterhood is watching. “ He offered in response, which had Marianna look confused as he said it as though she should know, prompting her to look inside herself and look for the information that was being implied there.
“ Kadim ? “ She then finally spoke as she found the suggested information.
“ Yes. They are watching. They never act, they always remain neutral. But now they are actively watching this system, and I suspect, Anthony.
Whatever Mother has done, they don’t like it one bit. But they dare not act, not yet.” He elaborated.
“ Then, you don’t intend to interfere with Eden ? “ Marianna asked to make sure.
“ No, not unless I am needed to.
You just need to use your connection to the Psyker’s union, invite the Psyker’s to Eden. Make a Political statement towards the Terran's, that you are offering asylum to Psyker’s. They will hate it, they will likely try and control traffic towards Eden, but they wont dare oppose it openly after Saratoga.
And I doubt they will dare make a move on this world for a long time to come, not until they feel confident enough that they can field a power equal or greater to what Mother has shown them. “ Modaran assured.
“ I have to think about this. “ Marianna admitted.
“ You do that. But I suggest, in five days time, for you to be in, how do you call it now, bonding phase ? It will be a wonderful excuse to use when I appear instead of you and Thomas. “ Modaran suggested, as though the outcome of Marianna’s choice was already clear to him.
“ And, this new first ? “ She asked.
“ I have no idea. But her being at Anthony's side implies a greater design. Everything else would be pure speculation. “ Modaran responded.