Liese Redwing's Story

Preferring a rather spartan arrival, in comparison to that of the others, the emissary of the Hegemony chose to utilize a moderately sized Koloss class cruiser accompanied by several frigates, rather than something as notable as a battleship, Emperor forbid a dreadnought. Arriving without announcement or pomp, the small Hegemony group approached the world at a healthy pace, still cautious despite the Coalition's cut ties to the Tripartite.

"Perhaps it would be better if we were to meet in private, away from..." pausing for a moment, thinking of the dignitaries from several other states, "prying eyes and ears. We will return at a more suitable time."

Liese Redwing's entourage approached from the outer edge of the system, quickly making it within visual range of Langara, the small contingent of vessels approaching with both their weapons and shields powered down showing their lack of intent. The haughty woman stood on the drab observation deck of the Koloss class cruiser 'Peter Glaus', watching as the sphere before them grew ever closer. "Allow them to initiate contact, leutnant," she spoke to the nearby comms lieutenant, "It is for the better to not deal with all the races in this galaxy as we do the Coalition..."

"Zowlid cawhpe, Sechs-A, ve reat." The comms lieutenant was still struggling to master the Azrican language, though it was commonplace for those that were not educated at a young age, their muscles not forming for some of the more esoteric sounds. Regardless, the leutnant not only was a good diplomat, but a impressive psychic. The only orders that Redwing offered to the young man was a simple nod, at which he soon returned to his duty. "Vi kommen en peace, Sechs-A, dess ez Landwächter kruzer Peter Glaus, carryingk an emizarry from deh Hegemony."

The ships made no effort to respond to the armed response, Redwing preferring to take the more docile route than that of proper Belkan tradition. "Ve kome do dishchus matterhsz regarhdting deh Coalition andt your..." The man searched for the word, the equivalent of such seemed to be absent in his own vocabulary. "Confederacy, en peace."

"Zowlid cawpe, AHSC Home Fleet Actu-"

"Understood, and we understand. You grace us with your presence." The lack of an accent from the woman was rather odd, considering most of the chatter flying about the bridge was in either Belkan or accented Scatteran tongues. "We hold." Odd, most beings would have you come to them, not come to you. Curious. It seemed that the Hegemony's underhanded reputation preceded them.

Intriguing. A tactic likely used to intimidate her comrades, which it did several, however there were a fraction of the crew who had, in their time serving, witnessed the sight of a Belkan Carrier Strike Group, and were rather focused on the meeting. Redwing, assuming that the meeting would go by the parameters described in their last encounter, had already assembled a small entourage that would accompany her onto the vessel.

After several minutes of traversing the vessel, both Redwing and her retinue arrived on the Aschen hanger deck, her group numbering in total eight, all of them, herself included, draped in the jet wool dress uniforms of the Landwächter, the dark fabric contrasted by white leather Sam Browne belts, secured with a buckle bearing the crest of the LW. Liese's posture could be easily summarized as parade rest, her hands clasped behind her back and her breast held high, as if on review... or reviewing herself. Moving forward with measured strides, her company following behind, their hobnails ringing out in step, she stopped roughly ten paces from Cain before standing at attention, those accompanying her following suit. With one fluid motion, her right palm shot into the air at a 70 degree angle, her retinue doing the same, "Sieg heil. Hail Scatter." Aside from ceremonial sabers, dirks and sidearms, the group was unarmed, and they held the salute, waiting for such in return.

The vessel was odd, in correlation between design and purpose. One might almost describe it as pleasing to the eyes, were it not for their practical brainwashing at the hands of the Landwächter. In response to the woman who had met them, Redwing simply nodded, preferring not to speak. At the behest of their hosts, the odd group proceeded, their peaked caps and black uniforms moving swiftly through the halls, guided by their escorts. It wasn't long before the woman who had met them turn to ask something of Liese, who responded appropriately. "I, as a noblewoman of proper standing with the House Tannhäuser, am able to make such decisions." She paused for a moment before adding the caveat, "Though His Majesty has the final say in all matters." Soon enough the group came to something of a meeting room, one proving quite different than those sported by Belkan vessels. Thinking it prudent to get to know both the party with which they met and the individual, Redwing introduced herself. "Forgive my lack of manners..." Feigning concern with such a frivolous matter, she continued, "I don't believe I introduced myself. I am Duchess Liese Redwing, Commandant of the Landwächter." Proffering a rather mechanical hand, she awaited both a response and a shake.

"A pleasure." Liese took the invitation, though her comrades preferred to stand behind her while she relocated opposite the table from the Chairman. "No thank you, I'm fine." However, as she usually spoke for the whole group, she expected not the response that came.

"Madam, permission for a glass?" The rather hoarse voice came from over her left should from a man who barely looked human. His skin tone distorted into a sickly grey tone, with white pupils and an iris that looked of wet cement, though all was understood when one saw the insignia he bore on his collar, the black sun embroidered in bullion. Pondering for a moment, Redwing felt lenient, granting his request.

"Granted, lieutenant." The hologram that soon came, however, distracted her for a moment before she regained her train of thought, which she soon devoted to Helena's question. "The Hegemony, as you must know by now, is the extension of what would now be considered an ancient nation native to Scatter." She paused occasionally, considering her words, "We have returned to settle an old score, however, the Confederation isn't what we look to destroy."

"In point of fact," Redwing continued, removing her peaked cap to reveal her hair, black as her uniform, was drawn back tightly in a bun, setting the rather elegant piece of headgear on the table, crown first, "we recognize the possibility for glory that your people possess."

Allowed a small smile to creep onto her face at the sight of the action, her nature betrayed as she watched such. Though, as Cain continued, she donned a more serious demeanor as Helena continued to suggest that an alliance would be more plausible after the Coalition had been annexed into the Hegemony. "Helena, if I may? You logic is undeniable, and quite understandable, as I would make such a decision any day myself were I presented with this situation." She paused, thinking on how to word her followup. "I am, however, not His Majesty,who has been known to become quite... [i]overzealous[/] when it comes to matters of war. Unfortunate, yes, but when the Coalition falls I cannot guarantee safety from his greed."

"I'm sure men can be just as stubborn in the Confederation as they are in the Hegemony."

Rose as the president arrived, not wishing to portray herself as rude or pretentious, she offered her hand to the president as she had the Chairman, asking, "I'm sure you've been briefed on me?"

Though soon enough she turned her attention back to the situation at hand, "Well, in such a case one must weigh their priorities, and in such tumultuous times as these, who are really your allies?"

Liese Redwing took in such information and noted it. Though the Hegemony had four centuries to catch up on, the last five decades would seem to be those of the most import. Certainly this war between the Coalition and the Hegemony might prove useful. "A wise stance, President. Though, I must assure you, with this war against the Coalition, we are simply witnessing the end of the beginning." Turning to a holographic tool of her own, Liese fiddled with the device on her left wrist, activating an audio file, "It seems that the Confederation might soon witness the same barbarity that drove us off of our homeworld."

Whatever 'obligations' our government had provided to the Extra-Terrestrials is done. We have poured our hard work and toil into the galaxy, and must do it no more. While the Terrans require assistance, they don't require it's majority for us. If the Hundred Lions or the Aschen Confederation want to profit on this 'peace' then maybe they should be addressing problems beyond their borders instead of remaining within. While the Coalition may be the largest in the galaxy, it is by no means the most effective -- and let it be known that every single grain of sand the Extra-Terrestrials place in our bag, that is just as much weight we will have to carry them.

As the file came to a close, Redwing adjusted herself, her tanned skin drawing her mouth into a smirk, "The Coalition is a fickle beast, while it may seem to have at heart good intentions, it hides an agenda of its own."

"We will tell you what we intend, we still value the concept of honor in the Hegemony."

Liese Redwing pondered for a moment, considering if there was anything else that the Hegemony would like to add to the discussion. As nothing really came to mind at the moment, she stood, shaking the hand that was offered, returning, "It was all mine. His Majesty will be pleased to hear of your consideration." As the handshake finished, Liese offered the Belkan salute once again before departing, quietly offering her best wishes to the two.

Liese Redwing and her small entourage of ships sat far away from Terra, in deep orbit near the ring-world known to locals as Saturn, sat and watched as the situation degraded. Rather pleased with herself and the turn of events, Redwing sat in the captain's chair, rather relaxed. "All according to plan, all according to plan..." Beckoning a nearby orderly, she spoke to him with a dismissive tone, "Put in a recommendation for the Knight's Triad for one Matthias Rueger. His cell has preformed admirably."

Liese Redwing happy dances in her ship, far far away from the dreadful combat.

Liese Redwing was uncomfortable in the ordinary terran garments, a business suit of sorts, one that was fitting of most politicians of this backwater world. It was largely similar to her standard uniform, though something about it didn't smell right. Flanked on either side by her guard as she entered the Terran embassy, it seemed odd, if one knew the Commandant, to be seen with such a small entourage. The trio were redirected, eventually, to the office in which the ambassador resided, and, waiting for the doors to close behind them, Redwing saluted her with vigor before approaching, offering a handshake. "Liese Redwing, Lord Commandant of the Landwächter and rudimentary emissary, madam."

Liese responded in kind, feigning a warm smile, "The pleasure is mine, Ambassador. The Hegemony is always eager to meet with those cultured enough to not judge us prematurely." Seating herself, she motioned for her bodyguards to remain standing, which they did. "Pray tell, what does Her Majesty wish?"

"Her Majesty seems a most gracious lord, Ambassador, the Erutin people are a culture unexpected in this galaxy." Liese crossed her legs, leaning further back in her seat, she considered the request of the Ambassador, one that seemed simple enough. Often times, the most dangerous came in the most basic of packages, and perhaps these people had something to hide. "All people are welcome in the Hegemony, their trade and capital are more than welcome in fact. Of course, given that the proper procedures are carried through." Leaning forward, a though occurring to her, she added, "Of course, military vessels are an exception."

"It is refreshing to meet with ones such as yourself. Peace is something this galaxy, and our own, has a startling lack of." Pausing for a few moments, she concluded, "Your request is accepted, Ambassador. His Majesty will be pleased to know of the new traffic."

"You humble us, Ambassador. Our people have long required medicine to suit our own..." Pondering for a moment, she considered how best to approach the matter of the Hegemony's cannibalistic practices, "needs. Our own advancements in biotechnology might prove advantageous to your people, as well." A neutral nation was refreshing, considering almost every other entity they'd encountered in recent decades had been bent on the destruction of the Hegemony. Perhaps they would prove to be a legitimate partner.

"As is ours, though it is necessary in the Cluster." Such an attitude might denote a peace-loving people, one not accustomed to war, though it could also show that these people are farther along the tree than her own. In response to the question concerning their diet, Redwing chose her words carefully, "As we were exiled from Scatter, we drifted for years before being happened upon by a ship, one of the people known as the Collective." Pausing, Redwing held the xenos in contempt, though she soon continued, "They awoke us, all of our sleeper ships, and seemingly liberated us, transporting us to their own galaxy, assisting in the establishment of colonies. However, they failed to inform our lord, Josef Kampf, of their intentions to make us a slave race. Soon we rebelled, doing as our people have always done, slaying to the best of our ability, and for years we were at war with the Collective Principality of Constellations, the alien menace providing constant threat to our growing people."

"Gradually, we integrated their technology into our own, and our population increased at an incredible pace, but at a terrible price. Almost a third of all deaths in our nation were due to the war, and we were forced to take actions that, a century or two prior, would have seemed taboo. To support our growing numbers and bolster those that remained, it proved painfully obvious that to survive we would have to consume our largest source of food - our dead."

"Given, we initially possessed the natural reactions to such, though over the centuries our bodies have adapted to the diet, however there remain some problems. Not all of our people's bodies are the most adept at accepting what they must consume."