Tea For Two Duchesses

[Relina Zhan]

Location: Star Home, Hapes Orbit
Time: 1348 hours

Heavenly Blue (Kalafina, AmaLee remix)

Relina could feel it, a feeling of dread, of darkness and morbidity as she made her final approach to the ancient space station starship of the Hapan Royal Family. The crater scarring the surface of Hapes Prime by the Galactic Empire's vain attempt to destroy a creature known as Dredge was still visible from orbit, marking the city centre of Ta'a Chume'Dan, the capital city of of the Hapes Consortium. She decidedly regretted accepting the young Ta'dine [member="Allana Badeaux"] for this reason alone. Relina tried to shake it off, however. She was sure it depressed everyone.

Ducha Zhan was dressed in an expensive purple gown, white sling-up sandals, and had her hair done up in a fancy updo. Jewelry and make up was sparse, but she hardly needed it. She carefully guided the ship into the docking bay after obtaining permission to land and landed the ship softly and neatly on manual control. A professional pilot, she preferred to fly her own ships, so long as they weren't larger than a freighter.

She emerged with a small box she had brought as a gift for the young duchess she was to meet and actually spend meaningful time with apart from simply being in each other's presence temporarily. Further, she was made aware the young lady had business with Paragon Enterprises. In her clutch purse, a mini datapad was carried with her wallet and comm. The hold out blaster she carried dressed like this would be immediately turned over to the stationed military security; not an unusual gesture or possession, considering nobility had plenty of reasons to be paranoid.

She would meet with servants of the Grand duchess and allowed them to escort her to Allana.

 

[Allana Badeaux]

“Duch’a [member="Relina Zhan"] of Gallinore”, the woman who spoke bowed gracefully. She wore the typical dress uniform of the Royal Happen guard. The rank upon her collar, was captain bars, her hair was stylishly cut short, her demeanor, pleasant. She bore a smile and her posture was welcoming. However eyes told more. Besides the old scar near her eyes, her blue eyes spoke of experience and confidence. She was easily still in her early thirties and was clearly a veteran of the royal guard.

To her left was a younger woman dressed in the same style of uniform but she bore the tagging of an ensign. She to wore her hair short but in a slightly different style. She had bowed had bowed when her captain had bowed.

[SIZE=11pt]After bowing and now standing the captain continued to welcome the Grand Duchess’s guest. [/SIZE]“Welcome to Star Home. I’m Captain Merci Dornelles and to my side here is Ensign Asoi Eldrel. Before I take you to her grace Ta’dine Allana Badeaux is there any services you require”, it was a typical and polite question the Captain just asked. Relina did just arrived from a trip across light years to get here. It is very possible she wished to refreshed up or simply use the restroom before proceeding to see the Grand Duchess. Relina was a guest, anything less would be rude and very distasteful.

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Allana Badeaux"]

Would greet the two Royal guardswomen with a firm military salute once they erected themselves from their bow. "At ease, ladies." She said in military style. She was still a ranking member of the Royal Navy herself and despite not being dressed in uniform on Navy business, she still behaved as if she was; force of habit, really. As a Major, she outranked both of them.

Relina would meet the Capitain's gaze as she thought about the request. "I trust tea is on already. It is a bit early for wine unless Her Grace has other ideas." she said solicitously. She would also open the small jewel box a crack for their inspection. Security formalities were resepected, of course. Inside the box was a pendant of electrum and platinum with a fine-cut, living Rainbow Gem from Gallinore's finest jeweler. Incidentally, this jeweler had had the prestige of being the only one on Relina's homeworld that operated by Duchal appointment. About the only honour greater would be operating by appointment of the Queen Mother herself.

Relina had heard that the Ta'Dine, Grand Duchess, was fond of Gallinore's famous and coveted rainbow gems. This pendant's value was likely enough to buy the same ship that glassed the city below them with credits to spare. For Relina to offer such a trinket meant not only great esteem, but also a bid to buy a favour from her at a later date. And of course, there was the matter of business that brought the Ducha here in the first place.

She put on a brave face, despite the insatiable anxiety she felt just being here. Never before had a trip to the throne world of her beloved nation generated such an emotional disposition. It was as if the planet had a lingering aura of the atrocity that befell it some months ago. A breaking news story had also appeared on a nearby public holo. A pretty anchorwoman from the local news station gave a report on a strange disease that had been cropping up as of late on the planet below. It was the second time this month Relina had heard about it.

"This just in: more reports of the Planet Scar epidemic have been filed to the Royal Health Authority today. Doctors and scientists remain uncertain of the exact cause of the disease, but they have ruled out any contagious nature. Bafflingly, it is reported by the RHA that most people seem to be immune to it. However, the minority that are afflicted have begun to exhibit strange and concerning symptoms. Viewer discretion is advised; What you are about to see may disturb you."

The holo transitioned from the anchorwoman to images of children and adults alike beginning to form dark patches on their skin in random places, people occasionally appearing to vomit, and signs of great pain. Many of the younger children were crying due to the symptoms and their parents, many of whom also showed the same or similar symptoms, were powerless to help them or themselves. Doctors and nurses were frantically trying to treat the symptoms while taking tissue and fluid samples for research. Relina's heart ached, especially for the little ones.

"We at Channel 12 News will be keeping you updated as more developments happen. Again, this disease has been confirmed non-contagious and most will be immune to it. If you show any strange symptoms, please report to your nearest hospital or medical clinic."

Relina simply stared at the the holo as it went back to the program it was running before. The word in Hapan that was used to name this epidemic was 'Terrastigma', which meant Planet Scar. It got its name initially because it only occurred on Hapes Prime after the attack on the Dredge entity and its strange corruption of the lifeforms it touched. It was thought widely, even by scientists studying the disease, that the damage done to the planet and the appearance of the disease were closely linked. The name stuck.

 

[Allana Badeaux]

[member="Relina Zhan"]

The pendent was very beautiful. Both of the ladies eyes light up when they looked at it. However before they could say anything…

The holo new had come on and both the Captain and the Ensign turn to watch. Despite the training in keeping their composure, it was visible the event that was reshaping the Hapes Consortium was affect them as well.

Ensign Eldrel averted her gaze from the small suffering children. She did what she could. She fought her emotions. Yet her eyes glistened. The few tears that made their way past her determination was quickly whipped away. Pretending no one noticed the young woman looked at the ground for now, waiting for something to happen as she did her best to ignore what was happening on the news.

Captain Dornellas reaction was different. As she watched and listened, he fist tighten. The smile that she had wore disappeared as she felt the burning of adrenaline. It was not often Hapen’s showed emotion in public, especially the noble class or the military. This event was changing that. The people of the Consortium were moved. How they were to move that is the question for the future.

“Yes Tea is ready”, Merci spoke through gritted teeth. The truth of what she just heard on the holo news was still disturbing her. “Apologies Duch’a Relina Zhan”, the Captain found her smile again. “Ta’dine Allana Badeaux has refreshments ready. Her typical choice of rooms for entertaining guests for tea has slightly changed.”

The Captain’s eyes searched around like she was looking for something. She was but it was not for something within the room. She was searching for the right words to say. “Our Ta’dine has changed. Her actions have become more driven. She is not that far from us in a situation room”, the Captain was thinking over her graces actions the last few months. The young Grand Duchess was working hard to help the Consortium. Currently she was in one of the command and control room hovering over a holo tactical station.

“If you would please”, the Captain motioned in the direction of a door way that would take them to a hall way. “Come with me. She is currently waiting for us.”

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Allana Badeaux"]

Relina hesitated a moment, her own emotions running high, although she fought back the impulses that would show it openly. However, what she had just seen was enough to break even a battle-hardened general's demeanour. Her lips contorted and her neat eyebrows inclined, expressing subtly her anger. However, she, too, was beginning to feel... odd... She dismissed it as depression and sympathy pains for the moment.

​"Very well, captain." she said as flatly as the Hapan accent allowed. She would follow the Royal Gaurdswomen to the situation room spoken of and felt out of place in her formal gown. Rather, her Navy dress blues might have been more appropriate.

Relina, nevertheless, offered a formal curtsy to the young lady. "Sallan, Shakal Ta'Dine." she said in the mellifluous Hapan language. She would pass the box to the Captain to pass to the Grand Duchess.

 

[Allana Badeaux]

Through the doors and into the situation room the image presented to [member="Relina Zhan"] thought provoking. This particular command and control room seemed rather empty. It was filled with many computers lining the room ye there was very few people within the room. The main lighting of the room was soft. Many of the active computers gave the majority of the lighting. The only soldier in the room was two that escorted Relina into the room and two more that was positioned stationary at parallel walls. There was one other servant station off to the side. The young woman was well dressed. She wore a dress that was a respectable design for and servant would bring in refreshments or anthing the young Grand Duchess would ask for.

Allana stood hovering over a round tactical holo table in center of the room. The young woman wore a dress that has gems interwoven into the exotic silky fabrics. The images holo images she hovered over were of Hapes Prime. Her delicate fingers were dancing elegantly over incoming real time data. The amount of logistical data was astounding. Almost so much it had the appearance of being too much for one person. It did look rather cool though. Various space craft’s flying around Hapes Prime, multiple Holo image windows of different sections of the crater that was once the capital. The young woman was personally seeing to the logistical needs of the efforts restoring the capital.

It really was not a task most commonly suited for a young lady of the court of her age. The determination upon her face was evident she had changed. Driven was differently a good word to disrobe Allana as she diligently worked. The destruction of the capital and all the lives lost forced the young woman to mature a little quicker. She was using her position to help the Consortium recover. Her talents with computers were evident at the moment to. The way she manipulated the control interface was visual evidence.

So engrossed into the work Allana out of the corner of her eye noticed people enter into the room. It was common for guards to come and go. Her personal guards in the room did not act as if she was in danger so Allana took the time to finish typing out a sentence.

Unit needed in sector P39.​

It was a simple sentence but a very important one. New hazmat gear was needed for a radioactive cleaning crew that was on the ground. For that team to continue to work without harm they would need them.

After typing Allana had looked up to see Relina handed a box to the captain of the guard. Thrilled to see her guest had arrived the young Grand Duchess positively gleamed with excitement. “Duch’s Relina Zhan”, excitement evident through her hapanese accent. “Welcome to Star Home”, the young woman walked over to the Captain and Relina. “Truly my apologies, I did not chose a softer setting for our tea. I’ve found it hard lately to walk away from the rebuilding effort and the humanitarian needs of our people. If the room is unsuitable we can move to the lounge next door”, Allana notice the box the captain held up and was trying to present it.

Yes the box. She seen that being handed to the Captain but in her excitement of seeing her guest she got a little spacey. It was an emotional day for the young woman, constantly having to see the images of her beloved people so hurt. Allana’s emotions wear visible on the cuffs of her sleeves also. The young woman checks turn a light pink in embarrassment of her temporally laps in her awareness in her surroundings.

“Your Grace Ta’dine Allana Badeaux”, Captain Dornelles opened the box for the young Grand Duchess. “A gift from the Duch’a Relina Zhan of Galinore”, the pendant sparkled within the box. Enthusiastically Allana took the pendent into her lithe finger tips. Feeling the smooth pink metal she felt a gasp of air leave her delicate form while her eyes marveled over the rainbow gems centered within the piece of jewelry. Her elegant futures approved of the gift.

“O-my”, adoring the pendant she unclasped it then began to slip it around her neck. The sensation of the cool expensive piece draped over her lower neck line made slight bumps upon her forearms. Goosebumps are what they’re called. We someone is so excited. It could be fear or simply being over flowing with joy. It was a good distraction for her day. Such a distraction it helped her to forget for a brief moment of what felt like a long hard day.

Allana finished clasping it around her neck. “Thank you so much”, her pleasure still evident betrayed by her huge smile. “Thank you so much”, she said again this time saying Relina’s name”, Duch’a Relina Zhan. Allana took a couple step bring her into arms reach of Relina. Allana extended her arms out and was offering a hug. She wished to express her gratitude and display how pleases she was Relina was here.

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Allana Badeaux"]

Relina was not expecting to be hugged in such a casual display of gratitude, but, she allowed it. She gave the woman an endearing enbrace and said, "Please, Call me Relina, Your Grace." she said, in a way that offered friendship beyond simply being Peerage. In fact, Peerage themselves tended to be rivals with cordial smiles. Relina rarely played underhanded games, however. She was a military woman, in contrast to her twin, Lady Alessandra Zhan, who had her moments of the fickle meanness expected of Hapan nobility veiled with airs of serenity. Despite having different personalities, however, the Zhan Twins were inseparable and relied upon each other more than either of them cared to openly admit.

"it gladdens my heart to see that my ears have not deceived me. Wear those gems proudly." she advised the younger noblewoman.

Relian's gaze then shifted to the holoprojector providing most of the illumination of what Navy officers would refer to as a Command Information Centre, or C.I.C. This was the kind of room that processed and disseminated real time tactical data to orbital and suborbital Navy units. The CIC was basically a warship's war-room, an on board Operations HQ. The holoprojector in the centre of the room was performing exactly the expected function. IFF data marked out each ship and satellite in orbit and tracked them in real time as long as they remained within Star Home's sensor range.

Relina approached the holo shaking her head. "No, Your Grace. Rather, it gladdens me to find you here. I presume you are beginning to have considerations of joining the Royal Navy?' she asked of her. "Having tea in here is just fine by me so long as the Admiral.... or perhaps Erenada herself doesn't mind." Incidentally, 'Erenada" was Hapan for 'peerless' in the feminine tense. It strictly applied, by context, to the Queen Mother. It was usually translated into basic as "she who has no equal".

Relina's gaze shifted to the order transmitted by the Grand Duchess on the holo. "Sector Papa-three-niner.... The temple?" she asked, looking back at her host.

 

[Allana Badeaux]

Her smile did not waver as [member="Relina Zhan"] asked to be called on a first name basses. Under the veil of the Hapan exterior Allana was lightly nervous at first. Strict protocol was an onset from the very beginning of her life. She was never even was allowed to call her mother…mom.

Ta’dine Allana Flore Badeaux had never been on a first name basses with anyone in her whole life. To start now came with a sense of fear.

For now she remained gracefully silent as the other woman spoke. Allana did not miss Relina’s eyes glancing over at the holo table. It actually came as a relief Relina did not mind their setting for tea.

“The Ta’a Chume Katriel Larenia will not mind and nor will the Admiral that commands the Star Home”, Allana gracefully walked over and her lithe fingers softly ran over the eliminated light of the Holo projection. She touched the section of the holo display of P39.

“Relina this is not the actual C.I.C as it is located elsewhere on the ship. This is the secondary room. It was built in secrecy for me”, Allana should not but she was going to anyways. “This room can double as a C.I.C but it is not its main purpose. It is not publicly known but I have a talent with computers.”

Allana looked over to one of the ladies standing to the side of the room wearing a dress. “The Duch’a and I will be having tea in her please”, the servant bowed and began to leave the room to fetch the tea.

“As for joining the Navy”, she closed her eyes shaking her head with a laughing smile. “No”, she said after her eyes opened and rested looking at the Duch’a. “I’m not really the physical type to be fighting. I would not even know what to do. If I did I would have to stay in a command role on a ship.”

Allana’s eyes opened wide as she remembered something. “Yes ships. Before I forget”, it was part of the reason why Allana asked Relina here. “I was going to requisition some personal body armor for myself. With everything going on I thought it would be wise to have something. However looking over logistical needs of the Consortium I discovered something else. It has been a while since we’ve upgraded out ships. How would you feel if I requisition some upgrade ship designs for the Hapan Royal Navy?”

Relina had the ship yards. Allana was officially asking and was offering a huge contract. “Maybe if you’re interested we could go over a design. What could we do with a Hapan Battle Dragon to make it more modernized?”


The temple, yes Allana was just distracted but the location on Hapes Prime P39 was the temple. “O-my, I’m sorry”, she felt a little embarrassed. “P39 was the location of the temple and is a part of the clean up from the nuclear fallout.”

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Allana Badeaux"]

Relina would nod at the explanation of what she was looking at. "I see." she replied. She remembered what the news had just said and wondered how the Wayist clergy were viewing the situation. In fact, Relina's own faith was starting to re-emerge as she recalled something regarded as a prophesy. For the moment, she put it out of her mind.

"... There are many jobs one can do in the Navy. I, myself, am a combat pilot. I lead a squadron, in fact." she said in response to Allana's declining the suggestion that she join the Navy. She didn't go into too many details. She had seen the Point Of View clips recorded from Relina's own combat visor during live combat. More in response to the thought, she added, "Don't be intimidated. But there is no pressure. If the military isn't for you, then I will not push you to enlist. However, you change your mind, I'll be glad to assist in any way you need."

And then came the business talk. "Armour, you say?" she asked curiously. Relina's ocean-clue eyes ran along Alana's figure, as if sizing her up. The girl had close to her own body type: slim and dainty. Perhaps the only difference, apart from height and weight, was that Relina had a well toned musculature due to constant personal training requirements, even when off duty for extended periods or on leave. That body didn't maintain itself, after all. "Paragon Munitions can certainly custom manufacture a suit to specifications, with quality that meets military code.... if that would be of service to you." she offered.

at the suggestion of ship improvements, she replied, "Well, to be perfectly frank, Your Grace, the Battle Dragons are nearly phased out. We certainly are not making them anymore. The Type D 505 Wyverns are their successor model. They are larger, stronger, more powerful, and still use the Battle Dragon's distinctive design... but it uses it better. The greatest improvement to any of our warships, I would sugggest, would be a more reliable and abundant source of tibanna gas to power our turbolasers."

Relina found herself leaning on the holoprojector; that odd feeling was back again.

 

[Allana Badeaux]

[member="Relina Zhan"]


P39 seemed a popular topic with a few Allana had spoke with. Even through the communications she had overheard many people asking about it. Allana was never strongly got into religion. She easily understood the symbolism that it stood for. The people of the Consortium were suffering and they were also searching for understanding while they healed the wounds of their people and themselves. “After P39 is clean maybe I should go for a public visit. Our people will be looking for stability and hope. It could encourage them to see us actively out there making sure the recovery efforts run smoothly.”

The light of the projection danced a crossed Allana’s delicate features as she watched the movement of the ships flying around Hapes Prime. Many of the ship were navy but most were not. There were vassals dedicated to construction and also medicate transports. It was a daunting task to keep track of it all. Maybe she did have a talent that could be used in the Royal Hapen Navy. “I will think about the Navy more. Maybe I will schedule a visit to the Royal Happen Navy Officer Academy. If even I do not join it could not possibly hurt to learn a few things.”

“As for the armor I was not thinking of something heavy or bulky, something light close to a body suit. I do not foresee heavy combat for me so the suit will not need to provide a lot of protection value. An enclosed system possibly that is environmentally sealed when need be. I doubt I will be doing any space walking but if I go into a combat zone I will most likely be on a ship. If the ship is damaged it will increases my chances of survival if I have a suit that offers me protection for a short space walk. That would mean the boots will need that one type of tech. What is it called? Maglock boots? Those type of boots that have some tech that activates a magnetic connection with metallic surfaces. If I’m out side of the ship where there is no gravity the boots will help me from floating away.”

Then there was the discussion about ships, “I can see about more reliable sources of tibanna gas. I will put in an inquiry about it and go from there. Is there a type of resource that helps with starship shields? I could put in an inquiry upon that to. Is there any other may need for the Royal Happen Fleet?”

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Allana Badeaux"]

Relina considered everything she said to her as she glanced back at the reconstruction efforts at the site of Fountain Palace and the nearby Lorell Hall, an obvious priority, as well as the Grand Temple. There were minor reports flitting across the holographic screen regarding antiquities found in part or intact, that dated back to before the establishment of the Consortium. There was even an unknown underground grotto with huge crystals inside and a spring. An attached communique carried a suggestion of building a memorial fountain using water from the grotto. Relina's lips pursed slightly into a faint smile at the idea. She had only recently been to Mass again, incidentally.

"Then it sounds like you are looking for an armourweave bodysuit and an armoured EVA suit. Both things can be easily made to order for you. I will make the arrangements, but you will have to provide your exact measurements." She advised.

"As for a naval academy, frankly, you have options. I attended the Clavelle Academy of Military Science on Gallinore for most of my formal education. I was enrolled at the age of ten, so, in a manner of speaking, I was raised in a military environment while also raised in a noble House at the same time. I still had to attend all those Peerage events that always seemed to happen while school was on leave." Relina replied to the talk of the Officer Academy. "CAMS is a good school and I am not saying that just because it is my alma mater. I say it because I wouldn't be where i am today had I not attended."

And then Relina gave thought to the Royal Navy itself. "I generally see tibanna gas, as a strategic resource, being made more abundant as a priority, militarily, but I am always welcoming of new ship designs. Diversification of our hardware can only help us, defensively and offensively. We have replaced our older existing designs with newer and more modern versions, but what's next? Perhaps any allies we are to make can deal in their own ships and perhaps the designs themselves, which which my own company can modify for our purposes...." she suggested.

 

[Allana Badeaux]

“Sadly my options are more limited about attending a naval academy”, unfortunately it was time that limited Allana as she had a lot of work to do. “I and [member="Persephone Callas"] are tasked with the role of the Royal Council with the time being”, it was only a partial role they were playing. The grander truth is the Queen Mother was killed within the blast to. Without the role of the Royal Council, Allana and Persphone feared the chaos of the loss could create civil war as Duch’a fought to become the new Queen Mother.

“The role of command is not a foreign concept for me. As soon as I could walk and speak my tutoring began”, she was after all the cousin to the queen and it was not commonly known the Queen had a daughter. To the greater populous of the Consortium Allana was a legal heir to the Queen Mother. The possibility that one day she would be in a role to help govern the Hapes Consortium was expected, at what level was unforeseen but the young lady was a contingency if the worse ever happened.

“A tutor is in the realm of possibly”, she began to speak of what was possible. “A tutor could travel with me as I carry out the will of the Ta’a Chume”, is not expected Allana did not have to say the Queen full name in this moment. The young woman was still smiling but her heart still hurt. The Ta’a Chume was more than just a cousin. The woman had raise Allana. To Allana this was the only mother she knew. She was far too young when her birth mother had died. Katrel Larenia Chume was that prenatal figure in her life. Now she was gone and the young seventeen year old had the reasonability of a kingdom and no time to mourn the loss of someone so dear to her.

“Two different suits”, it was more of a stamen as she thought out loud. Her heart was eager to find another subject. [member="Relina Zhan"] could be potently allay or a foe in keeping peace within the Consortium. It depended on the politics. Hopefully neither she nor her sister wished to rush for the throne out of personal greed. Allana hoped Reline could see the danger of a divided Consortium. It had been a long time since the Consortium was vulnerable to an outside attack. Now was the time for unity.

“Yes allies are a very important next step. With the blessing of the offices I and Duch’a Persphone Callas have the duty and honor to council, we’ve started to put polices in place where we can legally do business with governments and companies outside of the Consortium. With this attack it seems our isolation is at an end. With the current wording of the law however I have to seek other government and set a precedence of economic trade between our nations before legal trade could be made”, the unfortunate truth was their Queen was xenophobic. That and with the prior political agenda was to remain neutral and isolated from the outside galaxy to not warrant any attacks. It had worked for a long time. That is until a chaotic darksider attacked and crated anarchy to the point a galactic empire intervened with a tactical nuke.

“I will see to Tibanna gas being put on the list for discussion when I speak with possible allies. In the dialog when disusing trade such dangerous items like the gun of command most likely will not be an option to sell to our allies. It is more than likely it will still only be available for our nobles and our military. Is there any other rescores that Gallinore may need?”


Allana’s finger rolled over the holographic suggestion of creating a memorial fountain. Relina’s opinion was evident. Alllana’s opinion just became evident by the confirmation of giving permission by a press of a holodisplay button and a verbal message, “Build it!” The message was short and direct. Those who were receiving the transmission knew who was speaking to them and knew they were just given a command.