- Pronouns
- He/Him
- TNP Nation
- Wireennas
Zullath, Phelcian Space
Hiclelina City
1400 Hours
Opiter Gordio sighed as another mountain of datapads was dropped off at his desk. After the conquest of Phelcian Space was concluded, House Therro had been awarded a large part of the sector as compensation for their troubles. Margrave Vermillion Therro had immediately assigned a number of individuals to act as planetary governors during the reconstruction of the acquired territory. In reality, that meant each governor was essentially responsible for cleaning up the mess the Therron Military had made during the invasion.
And boy, what a mess they made!
Weeks had passed and reconstruction was still proceeding along at an agonizingly slow rate, far slower than House Therro had hoped for. Millions were still without power, homes, and resources, while clashes and riots occurred each and every day between the native Phelcian population and the occupying Therron forces. Personally, Gordio was horrified and disgusted by the creatures called “Phelcians”. Large, Reptiod like aliens, they only ever seemed to cause trouble for Gordio, either spouting nonsense at him in their strange alien tongue or barely conveying news in broken Common to him. They were lazy, belligerent, and filthy creatures, ones who seemingly never knew their place. Why couldn’t they just accept their new status? Clearly they needed to understand that House Therro was simply superior to them in all aspects of life. How they couldn’t see and accept that simple fact was beyond Gordio’s comprehension.
Regardless of his personal disgust, he still had a job to do, that job being the restoration of Zullath to its pre-war “glory”. As one might imagine, such a task was a monumental one in size and scope, and it was unlikely that Gordio would be able to finish it any time soon.
Suddenly, a Hologram transmission popped up onto his desk, its sender being…Vermillion Therro himself! Gordio straightened up in his hoverchair, adjusted his administrator's uniform and accepted the transmission with the best fake smile he could manage.
“Lord Therro! What a pleasant surprise! What can I do for you this fine day, your grace?”
“Afternoon, Gordio. I wished to simply check in on the progress of your reconstruction efforts. How goes things on your end?”
Gordio coughed for a moment before answering back:
“Oh, absolutely fine! Everything is just splendid! Why, I believe we may even be ahead of schedule!”
“Oh?” Vermillion said with a grin. “That's not how things look to me.”
“I’m sorry, your grace?” Gordio responded in a confused manner.
Suddenly, the transmission cut off, and the sliding doors to Gordio’s office slammed open, revealing Vermillion Therro and a team of Therron Huscarls backing him up. Gordio nearly fell out of his chair upon seeing him.
“Ah, your g-g-g-grace!” Gordio stammered as he attempted to remain upright. “I was not aware of your personal presence here”, he muttered as Vermillion and his security team entered.
“Oh, you know me”, Vermillion said with barely concealed malice. “I always make sure to check up on my projects. After all, its of the upmost importance to ensure they’re carried out correctly.”
“Of course, of course, your grace! Naturally everything you say could not be more true!”
“Mhm.” Vermillion responded as he picked up a desk decoration off of Gordio’s desk. “I know I speak the truth, Gordio, you do not need to tell me the meaning of my own words. More to the point, Gordio, I cannot say I share the same assessment of our current situation.”
“Oh, well, there are always bound to be some hiccups here and there, haha. For example, that dammitable Inquisitor made a surprise visit of his own around last week. He insisted that I divert some of our budget into the construction of a new Piathan Church for the aliens. Can you believe it? FOR THE ALIENS, he said. ‘They need both physical and spiritual nourishment’, he told me. HA! What a load of Dibperdung, I tell you! You know just yesterday I caught those Phelcian scum-”
Whatever Gordio was going to say, he suddenly found that he could no longer speak. In fact, he suddenly found that he could no longer move at all, as if he was somehow bound to his hoverchair. He began to sweat profusely as Vermillion’s Huscarls locked eyes with him, their helmets fully obscuring each of their faces. Vermillion continued playing with Gordios desk decoration, as if nothing strange was happening.
“Yes, very interesting, but here’s the thing Gordio: I don’t care. I don’t care for your rampant speciesism, I don’t care for your complete and utter lack of backbone, and I especially don’t care for the lies and deceit you’ve been trying to push past me. Did you really think you could insult my intelligence as if I wouldn’t notice?”
By this point Gordio could barely hear him due to an immense ringing in his ears. He could feel his heart begin to beat faster and faster, as if it would explode at any moment.
Vermillion continued speaking: “You’re probably wondering while you’re still breathing at this point, Gordio. I certainly would be if I were in your current predicament. Well, allow me to be blunt: the only reason you’re alive, indeed, the only reason you got this post in the first place is because you’re Caesonia’s flesh and blood relation. That's it. I would have rather anyone else take the position, but Caesonia begged and pleaded with me. ‘Please Vermillion, he justs needs a chance to shine, I know he's up to the job!’, that sort of thing. How could I say no to her?”
“And so the job was yours, Gordio. But let me tell you, you’ve certainly tested my patience to the limit. Between the rampant delays, the outward hostility to the Phelcians, the funds you’ve been embezzling-”
At this point Gordio tried to scream, but nothing would come out. The ringing was getting louder and louder, his heart was beating faster and faster, and he was sweating more and more profusely with each passing second
“Yes, by the way, I know about the embezzling, between all that, I’m about at my limit. So, before I did something rash, I decided to come visit you personally to convey my intentions. So let me crystal clear.”
Gordio suddenly collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as he coughed and sputtered. One of Vermillion’s Huscarls had been psionically assaulting him, the results of which were often quite devastating to those unlucky enough to experience such a thing. Vermillion crouched down next to Gordio, his hatred of the man now plain to see.
“I will be hosting a conference here on this planet in the next couple of cycles. This conference will be hosting the three other great houses that assisted in the destruction of Phelcian Space. It is of VITAL importance that this conference goes off without a hitch. As such, it is also of vital importance that the Conference Hall is completed on time to all specifications. I do not care how you get it done, just ensure that it is completed by the assigned date. And enough of your squabbling with the Phelcians, I cannot risk any sort of attack on the building or delegations once they arrive here. Am I understood?”
Gordio weakly looked up at Vermillion as he frantically nodded his head ‘yes’.
“Good. Then I believe my business here is concluded.”
Vermillion turned to leave, followed by his guards. Just before he exited his office, he said to Gordio:
“Oh, and one more thing. Mention any of this to Caesonia, and I’ll have you wishing for death with what happens next.”
With that, Vermillion exited Gordio’s office. Gordio pulled himself up off the floor by grasping onto his desk, and managed to sit back down in his chair. He frantically began prioritizing the construction of Vermillion’s Conference Hall. He was far too terrified to consider what would happen if he didn’t.
Hiclelina City
1400 Hours
Opiter Gordio sighed as another mountain of datapads was dropped off at his desk. After the conquest of Phelcian Space was concluded, House Therro had been awarded a large part of the sector as compensation for their troubles. Margrave Vermillion Therro had immediately assigned a number of individuals to act as planetary governors during the reconstruction of the acquired territory. In reality, that meant each governor was essentially responsible for cleaning up the mess the Therron Military had made during the invasion.
And boy, what a mess they made!
Weeks had passed and reconstruction was still proceeding along at an agonizingly slow rate, far slower than House Therro had hoped for. Millions were still without power, homes, and resources, while clashes and riots occurred each and every day between the native Phelcian population and the occupying Therron forces. Personally, Gordio was horrified and disgusted by the creatures called “Phelcians”. Large, Reptiod like aliens, they only ever seemed to cause trouble for Gordio, either spouting nonsense at him in their strange alien tongue or barely conveying news in broken Common to him. They were lazy, belligerent, and filthy creatures, ones who seemingly never knew their place. Why couldn’t they just accept their new status? Clearly they needed to understand that House Therro was simply superior to them in all aspects of life. How they couldn’t see and accept that simple fact was beyond Gordio’s comprehension.
Regardless of his personal disgust, he still had a job to do, that job being the restoration of Zullath to its pre-war “glory”. As one might imagine, such a task was a monumental one in size and scope, and it was unlikely that Gordio would be able to finish it any time soon.
Suddenly, a Hologram transmission popped up onto his desk, its sender being…Vermillion Therro himself! Gordio straightened up in his hoverchair, adjusted his administrator's uniform and accepted the transmission with the best fake smile he could manage.
“Lord Therro! What a pleasant surprise! What can I do for you this fine day, your grace?”
“Afternoon, Gordio. I wished to simply check in on the progress of your reconstruction efforts. How goes things on your end?”
Gordio coughed for a moment before answering back:
“Oh, absolutely fine! Everything is just splendid! Why, I believe we may even be ahead of schedule!”
“Oh?” Vermillion said with a grin. “That's not how things look to me.”
“I’m sorry, your grace?” Gordio responded in a confused manner.
Suddenly, the transmission cut off, and the sliding doors to Gordio’s office slammed open, revealing Vermillion Therro and a team of Therron Huscarls backing him up. Gordio nearly fell out of his chair upon seeing him.
“Ah, your g-g-g-grace!” Gordio stammered as he attempted to remain upright. “I was not aware of your personal presence here”, he muttered as Vermillion and his security team entered.
“Oh, you know me”, Vermillion said with barely concealed malice. “I always make sure to check up on my projects. After all, its of the upmost importance to ensure they’re carried out correctly.”
“Of course, of course, your grace! Naturally everything you say could not be more true!”
“Mhm.” Vermillion responded as he picked up a desk decoration off of Gordio’s desk. “I know I speak the truth, Gordio, you do not need to tell me the meaning of my own words. More to the point, Gordio, I cannot say I share the same assessment of our current situation.”
“Oh, well, there are always bound to be some hiccups here and there, haha. For example, that dammitable Inquisitor made a surprise visit of his own around last week. He insisted that I divert some of our budget into the construction of a new Piathan Church for the aliens. Can you believe it? FOR THE ALIENS, he said. ‘They need both physical and spiritual nourishment’, he told me. HA! What a load of Dibperdung, I tell you! You know just yesterday I caught those Phelcian scum-”
Whatever Gordio was going to say, he suddenly found that he could no longer speak. In fact, he suddenly found that he could no longer move at all, as if he was somehow bound to his hoverchair. He began to sweat profusely as Vermillion’s Huscarls locked eyes with him, their helmets fully obscuring each of their faces. Vermillion continued playing with Gordios desk decoration, as if nothing strange was happening.
“Yes, very interesting, but here’s the thing Gordio: I don’t care. I don’t care for your rampant speciesism, I don’t care for your complete and utter lack of backbone, and I especially don’t care for the lies and deceit you’ve been trying to push past me. Did you really think you could insult my intelligence as if I wouldn’t notice?”
By this point Gordio could barely hear him due to an immense ringing in his ears. He could feel his heart begin to beat faster and faster, as if it would explode at any moment.
Vermillion continued speaking: “You’re probably wondering while you’re still breathing at this point, Gordio. I certainly would be if I were in your current predicament. Well, allow me to be blunt: the only reason you’re alive, indeed, the only reason you got this post in the first place is because you’re Caesonia’s flesh and blood relation. That's it. I would have rather anyone else take the position, but Caesonia begged and pleaded with me. ‘Please Vermillion, he justs needs a chance to shine, I know he's up to the job!’, that sort of thing. How could I say no to her?”
“And so the job was yours, Gordio. But let me tell you, you’ve certainly tested my patience to the limit. Between the rampant delays, the outward hostility to the Phelcians, the funds you’ve been embezzling-”
At this point Gordio tried to scream, but nothing would come out. The ringing was getting louder and louder, his heart was beating faster and faster, and he was sweating more and more profusely with each passing second
“Yes, by the way, I know about the embezzling, between all that, I’m about at my limit. So, before I did something rash, I decided to come visit you personally to convey my intentions. So let me crystal clear.”
Gordio suddenly collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as he coughed and sputtered. One of Vermillion’s Huscarls had been psionically assaulting him, the results of which were often quite devastating to those unlucky enough to experience such a thing. Vermillion crouched down next to Gordio, his hatred of the man now plain to see.
“I will be hosting a conference here on this planet in the next couple of cycles. This conference will be hosting the three other great houses that assisted in the destruction of Phelcian Space. It is of VITAL importance that this conference goes off without a hitch. As such, it is also of vital importance that the Conference Hall is completed on time to all specifications. I do not care how you get it done, just ensure that it is completed by the assigned date. And enough of your squabbling with the Phelcians, I cannot risk any sort of attack on the building or delegations once they arrive here. Am I understood?”
Gordio weakly looked up at Vermillion as he frantically nodded his head ‘yes’.
“Good. Then I believe my business here is concluded.”
Vermillion turned to leave, followed by his guards. Just before he exited his office, he said to Gordio:
“Oh, and one more thing. Mention any of this to Caesonia, and I’ll have you wishing for death with what happens next.”
With that, Vermillion exited Gordio’s office. Gordio pulled himself up off the floor by grasping onto his desk, and managed to sit back down in his chair. He frantically began prioritizing the construction of Vermillion’s Conference Hall. He was far too terrified to consider what would happen if he didn’t.
“To the most Noble leaders of Houses Serthozzia, House Beutelg, and House Rhodes: Duke Enrann Piteroos Haygoni, grand destroyer of all Phelcian heretics, Count Baugulf Beutelg, steadfast friend and ally of the emperor, and Margrave Aaron Rhodes, defender and protector of the Imperium:
His Lordship Margrave Vermillion Therron formally invites you all to attend conference on the former Phelcian world of Zullath, to discuss matters relating to the governing of Phelcian Space and its interior territories. The Margrave firmly believes that such men of your character and conviction will only benefit from having such a discussion, and that by doing so, will see their prestige and fortune increase to levels previously unimaginable. The Margrave is convinced that such a conference will serve to only strengthen our inter-house ties further and allow us to overcome any obstacle that we may face in our long and storied reigns. The Margrave eagerly awaits your reply, and welcomes you with open arms!
Feel free to bring your own security detail, although security will be provided for the duration of the conference. Accommodations will be available on site as well, with only the most luxurious options having been considered for this historic visit.”
His Lordship Margrave Vermillion Therron formally invites you all to attend conference on the former Phelcian world of Zullath, to discuss matters relating to the governing of Phelcian Space and its interior territories. The Margrave firmly believes that such men of your character and conviction will only benefit from having such a discussion, and that by doing so, will see their prestige and fortune increase to levels previously unimaginable. The Margrave is convinced that such a conference will serve to only strengthen our inter-house ties further and allow us to overcome any obstacle that we may face in our long and storied reigns. The Margrave eagerly awaits your reply, and welcomes you with open arms!
Feel free to bring your own security detail, although security will be provided for the duration of the conference. Accommodations will be available on site as well, with only the most luxurious options having been considered for this historic visit.”
NOTICE TO ALL THERRON PEACEKEEPERS AND PERSONNEL:
Any attempts by agents and affiliates of House Valin to gain entry to the conference are to be immediately DENIED on the spot. Peacekeepers are expected to be polite yet firm in their refusal to grant entry into the conference hall. No specific reason is to be given for denial to the conference chambers. Should House Valin become belligerent or persistent in their attempts to enter, they may then be detained by NON-LETHAL force if necessary. There are to be no slayings of House Valin personnel during the duration of the conference.
Should any high-ranking House Valin officials or even Archduchess Amelia Valin attempt entry, they are to be stalled for as long as possible and prevented from accessing the inside of the venue. The Margrave should be immediately alerted to such persons; he will personally deal with them should they try to make any additional moves.
Discussion of matters relating to the conference, along with any recording or reproductions of conversations inside are strictly PROHIBITED. Those who break this rule will be punished most severely.
Any attempts by agents and affiliates of House Valin to gain entry to the conference are to be immediately DENIED on the spot. Peacekeepers are expected to be polite yet firm in their refusal to grant entry into the conference hall. No specific reason is to be given for denial to the conference chambers. Should House Valin become belligerent or persistent in their attempts to enter, they may then be detained by NON-LETHAL force if necessary. There are to be no slayings of House Valin personnel during the duration of the conference.
Should any high-ranking House Valin officials or even Archduchess Amelia Valin attempt entry, they are to be stalled for as long as possible and prevented from accessing the inside of the venue. The Margrave should be immediately alerted to such persons; he will personally deal with them should they try to make any additional moves.
Discussion of matters relating to the conference, along with any recording or reproductions of conversations inside are strictly PROHIBITED. Those who break this rule will be punished most severely.
OOC: Welcome @Prydania, @Tardine, @Aestii and @Greater Ale Permars to our little get together! Feel free to respond to the invitation when you can; once everyone has, I'll write about what the venue actually looks like along with some other background related items (let me know if you wanna RP actually getting there or if we should just proceed straight to the actual conference itself). I also made this a separate thread but I can put it in the other one if its deemed necessary. Looking forward to our RP!
