Private Iron Within

[Imperius Indomitus]

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon
Kroeger

The Imperial Forum yielded results, some more and some less promising. It certainly was more than anticipated though, for beforehand there were only meager remnants bickering about trivialities and vanities rather than prospects and opportunities. Imperial blood was old, in its own perception, but it was not that old compared to the Sith or Jedi, and especially the formers' own Empire. But Sith doctrine was detrimental to Imperial statecraft, any statecraft in fact. It was useful for the pursuit of individual power and understanding of the Dark side, but that was it.

One who voiced that most was Kroeger , remnant of the old Empire that Imperius had served with as well. He could understand a hate towards Sith, but it did not change the fact of usefulness. Pragmatism was more necessary than idealism when there was no higher force, as in a potent military, to back it up. Alas, pragmatism was written into Imperius' genome. Hence why he did not meet with the man in equal pomp and circumstance.

Imperius stood in one of the many rooms of the Palace, this one adjacent to it's central nervous system, it's operations room, clad only in a body glove. Several robed figures, their faces invisible, their presence almost unnoticeable, started putting on the black warplate onto the Imperator when Kroeger was offered to enter the rather spartan room.

"I hope you do not intend to make me bend the knee to the urn of Rurik Fel 's ashes."

His voice was not used to humour or sarcasm and it sounded almost offensive.

 

[Kroeger]

THE SPIRE, ZAKUUL
ASCENDANT ORDER
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
Imperius Indomitus

THE FIRE RISES
​

He was entertained more than anything else by the process. The Imperial identity was tantalizing for those just as eager to attain discipline and order as much as it was to the egoists who sought little more than the raw power which could be attained by sentient hands. Even if the meeting had concluded, his business was not yet done. He sparked another cigarette. Part habit, part fixation and mostly a comfortable, ritualistic act. He strode slowly with it, his rather relaxed gait contrasting the otherwise martially minded appearance he otherwise displayed. Approaching the room in question, the blast doors opened to the tune of a metallic hiss.

What was revealed was a rather unkindly sight to the Imperial. An overtly Sith, ritualistic equipping of the man's panoply. To his remark, Kroeger initially replied with silence, eyes, one organic and another cybernetic scrawling over the scene with a narrowed gaze as he ingested another draw of the crushed and rolled herb from his cigarette, letting it flow from his lips with a light plume of smoke. He nodded, and a way that almost indicated amusement. "More of a man in the urn than you or anyone else who'd come here." Kroeger replied, his voice rather flat and dull even as it thrummed with cybernetic influence.

"What's the armor even going on for anyway? Going to war? Or is it to look more...imposing?" Something that, if Kroeger had shown anything in his appearance at the summit, he was hardly insecure in projecting his power. Or lack of it. His Iron Legion was in waiting in orbit over the world, though hardly postured for an invasion. Respite more than anything with the dogged crew of the Long Night of Solace as well as his Iron Legion aboard seizing the visit to Zakuul more as time to rest, eat up and enjoy the slow few hours their commander was planet-side before they were onto the next job.

He paced about in front of the man, nursing the cigarette between his fingers before he looked his way again, his features concealed beneath the tightly clinging bandaging that kept his facial features somewhat in order. "But you seem to be a man with a plan...better than most...likely better than mine." Calling any of Kroeger's political doctrine a 'plan' was far fetched. Ambitions, ambitions far too deep cutting to even garner the work of the process.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon
Kroeger

"One does not need to make use of the Force to see your antagonism." He remarked. The armouring seemed somewhat ritualistic, but not in reverence to the wearer, but to the armour itself. The armigers treated it like a sacred artifact, carrying it with as much devotion as they were silent. While the equipping process itself was less fantastic as connectors locked into place, servos buzzed, metal met metal.

"Do not mistake my words for disrespect - Fel was a remarkable leader, however short-lived and short-sighted his reign was. I knelt to him for purpose, not for legacy or blood. He is dead and the best chances that the Imperials have now are ... what? Former Mawite warlords, expelled and condemned? Followers of an insane Emperor whos Empire fell to some ominous Sith machination? Uptight and narrow-minded followers of the New Order that cannot see past their superiority? And the list goes on. Yes, Rurik Fel is dead and you should stop venerating what is no more."

With a heavy hiss and metallic clank the back of the chestplate was put into place, immediately a sound of energy and power filled the room as the power armour now had its energy source. A slight hum at the back of the senses. "Yes, I am going to war." He left it at that.

"What is your vision? Aside from restoring the New Imperial Order, which is fairly unrealistic simply by the facts that it lacks the antagonist to tie the ideologies together and the charismatic figurehead to make it work."

 

[Kroeger]

THE SPIRE, ZAKUUL
ASCENDANT ORDER
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
Imperius Indomitus

TESTAMENT
​

"I'd hardly count myself among the man's worshippers. One of the finer leaders this Galaxy had ever seen, perhaps...at least, in some time...but dead all the same." He admitted in earnest, the sentence earning another draw from his cigarette. His pragmatic military attire of armorweave tanker's jacket over his body glove and fatigues rather contrasting the venerable and ritualistic donning of his ebon plate. Kroeger was hardly privy to the talks of the Imperial High Command but he was a known name for those who cared to look as one of the most effective ground maneuver leaders in the late stages of the Empire's relatively short life span.

"War with whom?" It was the man's trade, after all. He asked if it was two workmen talking shop over a manual labor assignment.

"I've not been known to step into politics so I'm sure much of my sentiment was lost in translation. I hardly seek to ressurect what has been killed...murdered perhaps in better terms." He stated, the next draw of his cigarette making for a natural break in his speaking as he seemed to think over his next words, eyes drifting elsewhere.

"Perhaps if the Empire had been given a moment of respite, it may have been able to realize what was...but it was forged from war...and snuffed from war. It was all that was known. Empires of the past had enjoyed decades of peace to enact its manifest. We were not permitted our moment." He said, eyes glancing about the room in all its smooth, metallic and ornate machinations, eyes still adrift as he spoke again.

"I would not even pose myself as the man to don the iron mantle...no. What was can never exist again. But there are lessons in history...and its blood that charts its flow. You and I both know that to will thus into existence...it will be destructive...violent. The Sith understand that if nothing else. It will not be half a score of men in grey, black and white who move the wheels of history. Only blood. The blood of thousands chiseling at the marble to uncover the potential within." He said, his tone and inflection seeming to change to something a tinge more serious and philosophical.

"It's hardly those of your ilk who are the only agents of disruption in establishing a Galactic Order...The Sith. The Jedi. The hopeful preservers of 'Democracy', criminals, degenerates, morally bankrupt politicans and industrialists all. But alas, what would this Galaxy be without them." Kroeger stated, knowing well it was a rather volatile implication.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon
Kroeger

"An enclave of Jedi Lords in the Unknown Regions." He seemed more or less not interested to address the subject. Out of secrecy or other reasons was difficult to determine, but he only offered an equally short answer as before. There was simply no need to offer insight to what the majority of the Galaxy considered Unknown. Let them call it that and keep it that way. They had no business there.

He listened to the soldier. It was the truth, the Empire had been forged in the fires of war and ended there, it had neither respite nor purpose without it. And while its leaders were great indeed, they also did not prepare or consider the effects of peace and a lack of enemies. Most disastrous, they did not create a line of succession for their rule. Imperius strongly believed that with Fel's and the Maw's death, the Empire was doomed to die as well.

"War is the crucible that can tie differences together and forge a pact between those that would otherwise prefer to kill each other. It is also the cement that keeps them together unless a foundation is laid in respite, for stability and order, for progress and opportunity. Purpose must be beyond an enemy."

The armigers attached a burgundy cape below the shoulder plates of the warrior, it almost matched the red-ness of his skin. The black eyes though did not let go of watching the soldier in front of him. There was a universe of differences between them, perceived and real ones.

"My skin is Sith, my application of the Dark side is Sith. But it does not dictate my mind or being. Do not mistake me for the fools that we overcome in their last Empire or the degenerates that pose as Sith in their current iteration. I am as much Sith as I am Jedi, Commander." He corrected the man. There was no anger or disappointment in the tone, he understood it made little difference to a soldier, but if there was some foundation of communication, he had to make his point clear. And moved on.

"We have been negotiating with the recently formed Imperial Confederation to form a pact to join arms. An effort born of the forum and backchanneling. It is hardly the united Empire that we require, but a first step. But I will be focusing my resources here and from Iokath into a centralised hub to form a new military branch."

An armiger came forward, a large scabbard with a sheathed sword carried on stretched arms. It was attached to Imperius hip together with a decorated sword belt. It was another addition to a rather exalted appearance, an artificer armour, crafted not only for perfect fit and protection but also presence. The sword seemed more simple but was by no doubt less well crafted. All designed and crafted by Imperius himself.

"Corruption and decadence will always exist, they existed in the last Empire and will in the next. Tied to the despicable Techno Union, Trade Federation. Choosing convenience over autarchy, choosing reliance over domestic security. Empires attract the lesser creatures like feces the flies. Our ties will define our potential."

 

[Kroeger]

THE SPIRE, ZAKUUL
ASCENDANT ORDER
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
Imperius Indomitus

TESTAMENT
​

He nodded with some understanding. Kroeger was one to talk. The Iron Legion had been benefacted by the Techno Union who kept a quiet tap on the pulse of Remnant Imperial politics. Kuat Entralla was a vital component of the Empire's war machine, most all of Kroeger's motorpool was wrought with armaments from their make. Chief among them, his favored 'Cataphract'. "When waging war with the galaxy, sustaining autarky is a fool's errand. How credible do you deem this 'Imperial Confederation'?" He asked. Not that he bought much stock in the opinions of Sith, but general observations were likely drawn of similar ink to most men of any flat faced competence.

"You already speak of a 'new military branch' implying a couple things..." He said, drawing from his cigarette as he mulled over the thought. "You don't trust them...or you intend to emplace yourself in a position of power over them." A rare laugh was drawn from him, the cybernetic inflection heavy in the amusement before it sputtered into a brief coughing episode, snuffed out with another draw from the cigarette.

"I'd be remiss to say I wouldn't angle myself into a similar position...as 'Sith-like' as it is." The man admitted.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

W A R M A S T E R
INDOMITUS LEGION
Through war, we bring order.
Through strength, we bring unity.

Prologue: The Iron Protocols
From Iron Comes Strength

FORWARD​

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon

Imperius offered a very slight but also very grim smile at the veteran. He knew that Kroeger had been removed the Dark Empire's military and maintaining that, as a mere soldier, was impossible without benefactors. Autarky was indeed difficult to achieve. And yet, if Mawite hordes, without any substantial equipment and supply lines or Bryn'adûl with bare muscle strength could challenge the Galaxy - and fail of course - why should a new Empire not be capable of such a deed but with the mind for centralisation, organisation and administration.

"The Imperial Confederation is the result of failure and desperation. Not necessarily the failure of those that band together in it, but certainly of their previous rulers. The desperation of the Imperial cause is apparent, the Forum showed it, the fall of Empires showed it. The Confederation will not be the final solution, but the first step."

"For too long I have watched from the outside, have been fed empty promises and seen idleness take shape. I intend to put myself where I can serve an Empire best, not where I am forced to submit to the meagre will of bureaucrats or to prideful upstarts in uniform. We are burnt by experience, Commander, there is nothing Sith-like about deciding one's own course of action. With the weakness, instability and disorder caused by recent Empires, it is a natural reaction for those that desire strength, purpose and order."

A knightly helmet adorned with a laurel wreath was placed in his hand by the ominous armigers that afterwards disappeared, almost literally, as their utter silence seemed unnatural.

"Come. Let me show you something."

Imperius, now fully clad in his pristine armor, looking like some feudal warrior-king, led the master of the Iron Legion out of his chamber and into the palace hallways. His steps were quite large, the clanking accompanying them was audible and while having a calm stride, it was still quite fast and he clearly expected the soldier to be able to keep up.

They passed several Knights of Zakuul on their way.

"As of tomorrow, they will be disbanded." He threw in. "Zakuul's population and Iokath's forges have been self-centered and divided for long enough. The Hegemony will supply my branch, autark and without bureaucratic delays or invasive administration."

They reached a door that opened to be an elevator and moved down. For quite some time despite the speed, passing along the very spine of the Spire, no external views and no indicator of what awaited when the doors finally opened. They were down almost a kilometer from the Palace and yet not on surface level.

The unequal duo was greeted by two soldiers in quite similar black armor as Imperius just was clad in, but its design more simplistic. Their appearance was distinctly Stormtrooper-like in fact, a successor armor of the First Order's Stormtrooper plate, more angular though and in black. Both saluted with their fist to the heart and opened the door behind them.

"The new Empire must be built upon the iron spirit that triumphed in battles unnumbered. Its will must be manifest in its soldiers, those that carry the banner of the Iron Sun across blood, sweat and death soaked fields. It must be indomitable."

Ahead was a large hangar, huge indeed, that was filled with dark-armored Stormtrooper-like figures moving equipment. Fresh looking starfighters and gunships were at the sides, some being loaded. The sound was familiar to anyone who went to war, it was preparation, the air was filled with a sense of readiness and purpose. Voices were determined. Standards were draped to the walls, all displaying similar iconography of a sword rising and all had one word written on them.

Indomitus.

 

[Kroeger]

THE SPIRE, ZAKUUL
ASCENDANT ORDER
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
Imperius Indomitus

TESTAMENT
​

Sith-like it may be, it was hardly intended as a slight. Kroeger was severing a fate of similar cloth. Him and his band of the lost and the damned that made up the Iron Legion. Soldiers for hire, bringers of death. Though a meager entity, one of which Kroeger had punched well above his weight class at the head of the host. Of the scions of Imperialism assembled on Zakuul, few could do more with less than the dogged Commander.

He was silent, following the man on his tread past the Knights of Zakuul and into the large hangar bay within which his men assembled for war. The ornate and well polished appearance of those present starkly contrasting that of Kroeger's legion. The heraldric and knightly aesthetic of these Imperials compared to the Iron Legion. Donning scraps of Stormtrooper and Imperial army equipment, only barely bolstered by newer acquisitions hand-receipted by the Techno Union.

He took a final draw from the cigarette, nodding to the display before him before he glanced the way of the Sith, his brow lofting beneath the tightly woven bandages clung to his half-cybernetic features.

"The fighting man is the Iron Will made manifest. Its quandry comes in who leads them. Who are these men? How have they been trained? How are you equipping them? And most importantly...you intend to dedicate them to this 'Confederation'?" He asked.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

W A R M A S T E R
INDOMITUS LEGION
Through war, we bring order.
Through strength, we bring unity.

Prologue: The Iron Protocols
From Iron Comes Strength

THEME​

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon
Kroeger

"Veterans of the Empire, of the Dark Empire, Empire of the Lost. Volunteers from any place, handpicked. Members and children of the martial orders we have here on Zakuul. They are anyone and noone before they came. Now they are Indomitus Legion."

"I have trained those who train them decades ago, aided by Deathtroopers, Stormtroopers and Mandalorians. They are undergoing extensive foundational training that is an expanded version of Stormtrooper training, emphasizing on the 'storm' aspect. To pass the basic training, they have to finish their Oaths of Valor, Honor and Loyalty. Trials testing their skills, willpower and determination before they are passed on to the Indomitus Anointment. A surgical procedure that enhances their physical attributes by a substantial margin. Them they become actual recruits - Squires, and the actual training begins."

"They are devoted to Imperial Hegemony, to the causes of the New Order and First Order. Sworn in on the name of the imperial sovereign and myself. They will be the new Empire's Wrath made manifest."

"They receive their supplies from the Imperial Legion Corps of Engineers, superseding the Vandemarian Techwrights on both Zakuul and Iokath, and elsewhere, as industrial base. They are domestically equipped and therefore independent."

Imperius offered the information without hesitation, of course only what he wanted to offer and share at this time but it would be a substantial start. There was no need to elaborate beyond the Knights at the time being and neither to expand on the auxillary units that would support their efforts off the battlefield. Kroeger was not an ally at this time, merely curious and somewhat aligned. And even beyond that, the Pureblood would not offer deeper insight.

"What do you draw from this forum and what you have seen and heard today? Will you continue your existence as simple sellswords to survive hand in mouth and speak fondly of better times?"

"Or do you intend to bring those times back?"

 

[Kroeger]

THE SPIRE, ZAKUUL
ASCENDANT ORDER
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
Imperius Indomitus

TESTAMENT
​

His eyes, one a haunting crimson glow and the other a bloodshot, color sapped grey peered over the assembled fighting men, vehicles and ordnance before him. Arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowing. All of these Imperial remnants seemed to possess the greater facilities of power than Kroeger. Of all of them, he was certainly in the weakest standing. They each had at least a planet or a fleet of which they lorded over. All the while, Kroeger crammed his brigade of men into the Long Night of Solace, a Pellaeon-IV Star Destroyer which had been barely kept to optimal standard.

Even so, he'd managed to wage war- effectively at that. He'd battled with a Division-sized element of the Galactic Alliance and several fold of the Confederacy and managed to do enough damage to leave them bloodied and crippled whilst maintaining the bulk of his force. His actions as a mercenary were in-character to his dossier in the Empire. Armored and artillery expert able to cut vast swathes from the enemy whilst using the freedom of maneuver he'd established by superior tactics and fire support to dominate the battle space. Though, of course, when victory was ultimately achieved, Kroeger's results were often the most brutal. War was supposed to be brutal and unlike the faux sensibilities of the Alliance, he wasn't going to shy from it. No, he embraced it. All information that Imperius might be privy to via Imperial records.

"I don't trust most any of them. At least, I don't trust them to do what needs to be done. Any of them would happily send their men to fight and die to build their dreams. I don't see any of them leading the charge lest its in the bridge of their ship, far from the danger. And of that, they will fail to do what needs to be done. The lost sons of Iron were not afraid to lead their troopers into the fray of battle, caked in the gore of the enemy. I don't have the same impression of them."

"If a leader were to arise worthy of dedicating my Iron Legion to- I would. I would need to see more before I sign with the likes of the Confederation who may turn out very well content to send them into the gauntlet with no proper guidance." Kroeger explained before he unwrapped his arms and drew another cigarette, sparking it to life.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

W A R M A S T E R
INDOMITUS LEGION
Through war, we bring order.
Through strength, we bring unity.

Prologue: The Iron Protocols
From Iron Comes Strength

​

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon
Kroeger

Imperius lidless, black eyes observed the man and his run through memories and emotions. He did not violate his privacy and dignity by reaching out with the Force to see what he thought about, it was neither respectful nor necessary. He had studied the file of the man before and during the meeting and was fully aware of his skills and traits. After the appearance on the forum it was hardly necessary to look deeper into his philosophy - it was abundantly clear.

So was the battle doctrine of his Iron Legion and its reputation. Ragtag, rough and worn down - but with fire and steel they fought in hand and heart.

"Trust does not come easily to any of us. You will keep doubting my intentions simply by my chosen approach to the Force. Ironic considering your void in it. But we share the doubt towards new uniforms and new brass considering the average soldier expendable - not that we do not share that sentiment to some degree, but we fight alongside them. We do not issue orders from a holo-display when there is a triumph to be achieved. The Iron Sun only smiles upon those who bath in the rays of its light. And its light is fire and blood."

His gaze moved back to the busy hangar.

"My Knights will prove their worth on the battlefield, I will regain the trust that was placed in me by the previous Empire and its late rulers. It is a necessity for both any future Empire and the current remnants." The tall king-like figure declares. "And I can offer you and your men independence from whoever pays them. There is opportunity in forging a path forward together, not by compromise who we are and what we believe in, but fight those that stand in our way and show the Galaxy what the Iron Will is made of."

 

[Kroeger]

THE SPIRE, ZAKUUL
ASCENDANT ORDER
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
Imperius Indomitus

TESTAMENT
​

His void in the force was a consequence of the cybernetic overhaul done to his body as a result of his injuries on the battle of Ziost decades prior when a task force group of the 1st Armored Assault and 501st Legion assaulted the planet's capital only to be on the receiving end of a violent and devestating orbital bombardment. The ADEK0N NAN0GENE TYPE 3 rendered its users stronger, quicker, mentally agile but in the same vein, rendered them null and blank from the force. Imperator Tavlar was perhaps its most prominent applicant.

"I would like to see what you've created here operate on the field of battle. All the same, I shall need an Empire worth serving before I dedicate my Legion to any cause. I had spent the blood of my men for those not worthy before, I shall not make the same mistake twice." He iterated, taking a long draw of the cigarette before he let a pale plume of smoke flow from his lips.

"I assume this Confederation...do you care to be its servant...or would you intend to take the reins of power?" He asked outright.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

W A R M A S T E R
INDOMITUS LEGION
Through war, we bring order.
Through strength, we bring unity.

Prologue: The Iron Protocols
From Iron Comes Strength

​

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon

"The worth you wish to see might lay in its future that your actions can shape - or you might wait until till your life's end and to have passed opportunities to lead by example. The grim, pragmatic and yet idealist approach will only ever lean so much in each direction at any given time. We do not more mercenary bands ravaging and waiting for a higher calling. We need soldiers that are dedicated to a cause."

His Knights were. Damn, it was their entire existence once they got their anointment. And he would make every and each of their lives count towards it. Success of the new Empire would be measured in blood and sweat of himself and his Legion. The Confederation was the vessel to realise a new vision. Order and stability needed to be restored.

"I am committed to serving the vision of Imperial Hegemony. If that means taking orders from their Empress and Supreme Command, I will do so. My goal remains unshaken. The complete restoration of a unified, centralised Empire under a strong ruler with an organised succession and a stable internal policy. We will always be able to find new enemies, but we have to secure our foundations before we spend ourselves in the wars to come."

 

[Kroeger]

THE SPIRE, ZAKUUL
ASCENDANT ORDER
902 ABY

D E M O N
IRON LEGION
'THOSE ONCE LOYAL'
Imperius Indomitus

TESTAMENT
​

His sentiment wasn't wrong but if Kroeger was anything, he was deeply distrustful. Of the man before him and certainly no less of the men and women assembled in the chamber but hours before. He'd been betrayed, slighted...his life attempted, several times over. It would take more than a man's lofty intent and ideals for him to wave the arm for the Legion to bend the knee or present arms along side him. "I see..." He spoke, drawing from his cigarette as he nodded, mulling over a thought.

"Let me know when you find this 'strong ruler'...as I see few men capable. Your head is in the right place...but do not swear loyalty to those who claim to espouse your ideals, lest you have a safe means out for you and your people. The Imperial sphere has become more wrought with treachery than principle...and perhaps more dangerously, competence." He said, flicking the cigarette away, a stain of his own renegade nature in an otherwise ornate space as he began to make his way with a turn of his heels.

"Keep in contact. My channels aren't too difficult to find." Even if it implied the Trade Federation, his current benefactor.

 

[Imperius Indomitus]

W A R M A S T E R
INDOMITUS LEGION
Through war, we bring order.
Through strength, we bring unity.

Prologue: The Iron Protocols
From Iron Comes Strength

​

Zakuul | The Spire | Palace of the Eternal Dragon

A strong ruler. Her Aegis Eternal, Empress Deschart of the Risen Empire. Was she the strong ruler the Imperials needed? He had never heard a word of or from her. Her Exarch was here, her Grand Moff was at the earlier meeting, but not her. Not a figurehead, a banner to rally around so far. Just a distant bureaucrat that worked. Did she work as a leader or as a puppet of her two governing advisors? Time would tell.

His focus returned to Kroeger once more.

"We advance carefully, carry superior ordnance and have a reserve plan." He said dryly. "I would offer you and your men barracks here on Zakuul if you wished. As mercenaries of course, not as official military personnel with all benefits and restrictions that are applied to it. A safe haven so to speak. We have to find those that find those that follow the Imperial cause more than personal gains, even if it was ever so marginally more."

"Very well Commander Kroeger . Your upfront views and directness are a refreshing reminder of what some of us used to believe in. I am certain that our paths will cross again soon."

He reached out one of his large, armored arms, not to merely handshake, but to clasp the forearm, offering a parting that was more in line with the spirit of soldiers and warriors. "Iron Rises." The Lord Indomitus says with a nod, before he releases the others forearm and moves ahead into the hangar. Behind them one of the Knights would offer to escort Kroeger back to the landing platform where the earlier reception was.