Other Orders

{Another Day}

Angelo:

Unlike the last, the day at the office was sunny and inbetween morning and afternoon. The sounds of the city were frequent and alive during this time, and they echoed all the way over from the sky to the very compound of the Agency itself. Angelo sat as he had the last time, near his desk right in front of the entrance to the main business building, papers held in hand, looking over this and that and occasionally lifted his head.

"Hm...Wonder if I'm the only one in today."

He muttered. It sure as heck had seemed like it the past while. Sune'ere was a princeling, Edward was 'dealing with something', Eren was less then seventeen and a former 'soldier' so he was probably doing everything about the city, Alphonse was about helping Fenris with Vivi and Kitsuko...Angelo looked to the good doctors 'door' and shuddered a bit before shaking his head and looking back at his papers.

"Hm...Even though I told that trooper otherwise, I still do wonder what the heck happened to Tim..."

The thought made the Confederate frown and lean back in his chair, head tilting back to look up at the ceiling, hands moving behind his head and having the fingers interlace. Easy paperwork and thoughts were there, as was Angelo, for business, as (seemingly) always.

Sergei Deker:

The tall man knew of the compound though truth be told he'd never bothered to approach it. Called away from his usual revelry months past to a place that didn't even have a proper church to even a single high lord of The Spear. The original mission had failed with his target going into hiding shortly after coming here. Now here he was again being asked to teach in the emperor's own absence as he played his shadow games.

Walking towards the main door of the agencies building he would raise one of his large mailed fists, and knock with as little power and force as he could manage, after all he didn't need to break another door in this town. Not waiting for an answer the armored man would walk through the door. Standing at nearly eight feet tall the man would undoubtably have to lower his head to get in through the door frame. As he moved his plate armor clanked with every larger than life move that he made. Every inch of skin upon him was covered in polished metal, most likely some kind of steel derivative. The only bit o flesh that was exposed was his mouth, of which was set in a humorless scowl that certainly showed he did no wish to be here. Upon his back was sheathed a great sword to match his own height, with how wide it was as well, that thing may do a better job of bludgeoning people to death than cutting them, it's weight alone probably came close to that of its wielder while out of the heavy looking armor.

"Zerephan, where are you?". The voice of this man was deep and rumbling like a landslide. He had patience, and the emperor had sent him personally on this task. After all his daughter could look after his troops while he assessed the new whelp.

{Knights.}

Angelo:

"Right below you, sir."

Said Angelo who was seated by his lonesome right in front of the front door, his usual spot. It wasnt often he had to look up at someone, but at the moment that statement didnt apply as he set down the papers he had been looking at and writing on in order to properly look up at the new entrant within the Agency. A knightly fellow, a big one at that, one who was scowling. Everything said the oversized (Gregor Clegane) Knight did not want to be here so the plan in mind for Angelo was to be subtle, politely quick, and other such things, least he bear the brunt of the Knights dismay.

"Arcerion sent you, didnt he? I'll admit I've been waiting for an order or paperwork on what to do or where to go...You're either one of his kin or military men, am I correct in assuming so?"

If there was one thing all Shuinsais or family members had it was a certain air about them. Arcerions was menacing, to Angelo at least, whether he liked it or not, being a creature of living hatred and fear did that to something (in most peoples eyes) whether they liked it or not. This fellow, though not as bad as Arcerion (despite his size) had a kind of air about him himself, one more commanding to the Confederate but then again he wasnt always right on such things, deductions and such. Angelo tapped a pen he held while waiting for the knight to retort.

Sergei Deker:

The word Angelo was looking for, concerning how he felt in this hulking mans presence could of been anything from proud to courageous to brave. It mattered little how the new meat felt about him, save that he would be given the respect he deserved. That isn't to say that despite his naturally commanding presence that the knight was hard to get along with. When he looked Angelo over he grinned a toothy smile which showed off a relatively normal set of teeth, with fewer then expected false teeth to be sure. Peering down now one could see that his helm had neither visor nor eyeholes, the nose as well of the decorative helm appeared to resemble a bird of prey more than anything.

"Well met Zerephan! I am Sergei Deker, the commander of the Eighty-Sixth Judgement Company. I was afraid I'd have to hunt you down like the last retainer. If you decide too I won't be offended I promise. However I won't give you a headstart either!". A boistorous and rumbling laugh came afterwards that seemed to rock his entire metal covered being. The joke however threatening it may of been coming from this giant actually carried a tone of being just that, a joke. Sergei after all had no flair for the subtle outside of tactics in war, and those he only resorted to when there was no other way to win.

"Our Lord has asked that I train you in certain key knowledges for The Empire before you are fully expected to work in the full capacity you are needed. We certainly can't have you making any kind of political decisions if you know nothing.".

He pondered where to start, and then had a rather good idea. Placing his gauntleted hand upon the desk before him in a loud clash of metal on metal.

"Tell me what you already know, so I do not have to repeat knowledge you already know"

{Knights II}

Angelo:

Rowdy, loud, and possibly obnoxious...Meh, he seemed like an ok fellow, really.

"Like your helmet. It supposed to be a eagle or falcon or...some offworld bird?"

He commented before Sergei stroke, Angelo nodding and doing a quite 'mad' action in offering Sergei his hand to shake.

"Angelo Aaron Zerephan the first, esquire. Please to meet you, Commander Sergei. If it counts, when I'm not 'working' for Arc, I'll probably be here, working my other job."

To some, the boisterous and jolly and humored disposition of the Knight might be offsetting, but for Angelo? Nope, he liked it just fine!

The second thing he said and the thing he asked Angelo was expecting, and though he flinched at the loud clash of metal on metal set upon his desk (which he was worried might challenge the integrity of his desk) but none the less, as he was opt to do, Angelo offered the knight a seat via a waive of his hand. After this offer, taken or not, he leaned back in his chair and half thoguht half assessed what he was going to say.

"All this was expected, the training and your inquiry. I've been running about lately inquiring to know. I know the Dorian Empire is second largest to Celesin. It was I believe, not always Run by Arcerion and once there was a war so he could run it, the rebels are still on a fringe of the galaxy if I've read and inquired right. Military wise, its a blend of futuristic type ships, magic, physical labor (that isnt always willing/living) and...I've yet to confirm living-mechanical labor. Travel wise, warping/teleporting is a big thing outside of physical travel and...I'm not sure if this is true but with what Arcerion 'showed' me, there...seems to be a Hate/Fear based religion with him as the deity? Not the state religion but it seemed that way on a few planets he 'showed' me. Also I'm sure there are certain things to implement Imperial Policies and diplomacy but that has been hard for me to come across or discuss with the closest associates to Arcerion other then myself. "

He cleared his voice before lacing his fingers together and tilting his chair forward, resting his elbows on the table.

"Position wise, I asked, when knighted, to be his second in command, right hand man if you will. I'm not sure if that, in his mind, is second in command in terms of ordering and maintaining and making sure things are well enough, like most second in commands are, or otherwise. Also, I'm sure there isnt, but...Is there a certain Combat Doctrin he wishes for me to stay upon or does that just depend on what I can do?"

He looked at the knight expectantly, head tilted.

"...I miss or deduce certain things wrong?"

Sergei Deker:

The comment about the bird of his helm got a lower chuckle from him, he shook his head and would explain, because he felt that Angelo being a male like him would get a damn chuckle out of it.

"It is the mantle of Zeldria the blind goddess of war, of unnecessary war. Don't take it the wrong way, I wear it to remind my troops to never fight unnecessarily, and never for a cause that they don't believe in."

When the hand was given Sergei would shake the offered hand with his own gauntleted one possibly eclipsing Angelo's own. However there was only a restrained squeeze given. The man had clearly mastered just how much pressure to apply with a handshake in this case. And then he listened to what the man knew about life in the Dorian Empire. There Sergei was surprised by his knowledge of somethings, his guesses were not wholly wrong, but they were in some respects uninformed. He would begin by fixing what was wrong before presenting new information before him.

"Yes you are correct there are a few rebellious groups which plague our empire. The most vocal is lead by the former planetary defense force general Jackson Reed. The other factions of the Former United Planets Federation is lead by a former friend o mine, Admiral James Arvis. Good man but he didn't know when to admit he lost. If you come across either of them, kill reed, he's a warmongering xenophobic prick. At least Arvis still has some honor. As far as size goes, who knows if we or Celesin have he bigger empire. I don't care. It just means if we go to war woth hem like I want to, their supply lines will be stretched further, and it will be more territory for us.". Sergei certainly had a dash o that national pride in his voice. If everyone in Dorian was this well, normal then Arcerion was clearly doin something right.

He coughed and took a seat, after removing that massive blade from the sheath on his back and setting it down on the ground, he would indeed take a seat. The chair groaning at the weight and stress that his armored body put upon it.

"As far as the labor goes, we only employ certain techniques with those who in life were loyal to the cause, and asked to be used as such. It is rare that we have to use unwilling subjects like that. They have a very high percentage chance of simply going rogue. They would terrorize a population center. Everything else though is more or less true. We do have a sentient mechanical workforce, but we keep them bound to the inner worlds. I assure you there is a very good reason for it. Exercion's aren't the only experimental race in The Spear. Now concerning that religion, there is something similar, It's called The Way of the Highlords which tries to exemplify the twelve kingly virtues. As far as magic is concerned, yeah I suppose it may as well be, but what do I know. I could ask my applied sciences officer Keldon to come down and explain what we do if you wish.". He felt he had forgotten something there but he needed to explain ome more thing before he tried to remember.

"Once you are officially recognized by the Dorian Council, you'll be initiated into the mysteries of the capital, And why we swear our lives to it's defense. You will essentially have a voice as powerful to Arcerion as the Whole of the council, his own Exercion brothers and sisters like me. We will be equal, the only person with more pull on Arcerion would be his mate Kanatal."

Wow that was alot more talking then he originally imagines. He smiled and made a motion with his hands to ask for water. Once he got it he could speak again. The first thing he would ask would effect how his conversation went.

"When he knighted you did he show you his own mind and how he see's the worlds?"

{Such Info}

Angelo:

"Huh, thats one one to show the futility of war."

The hand was taken and was really just engulfed by the Knights. Angelo was just lucky his pinky and thumb got around the damn thing. None the less the shake was had and he listened. As Sergei spoke Angelo suddenly scooted a piece of paper towards himself, setting it before him and looking down. He was obviously taking notes, using the pen he had been carrying, nodding here and there.

"Dont suppose you have any leads on either of them, Arvis or Reed, do you?"

Might as well throw that out there. If there was one way to gain favor, it was by capturing wanted men, dangerous wanted men at that.

"Oh, Meant no insult by the Celesin thing. I've just heard the whole...few Star Systems when I was sure Arcerion had one and a half he had conquered. I meant no insult."

To the other things, more notes were taken.

"I only said the unwilling part because, well, I've been to Arcerions Starport. It took me a while to get answers from someone, I was told most of the workers or like, guards there werent exactly 'alive'."

He didnt think the whole of the empire was a police state. Not yet at least. The religion part did fascinate him to a degree, so much so he underlined it to a degree.

"Y'all have any libraries or records I could look through in regards to certain things? You dont seem the type to wanna be a messanger or say to much, more action, why I ask in case I have any questions or inquiries."

The second to last statement did surprise him to a degree, so much so that he stopped jotting notes. He leaned back in his chair, one hand on his lap, the one with the pen lightly tapping the desk, lost in thought for a moment.

"That does surprise me, to say the least. Offhand, does this recognition require certain actions and the like?"

To the final statement he nodded.

"It was one of three terms. The first being the right hand, the second that, the last for him and Jophiel to attend my wedding. It was...confusing at first. I didnt exactly know what I was looking at until I really looked at it and remembered that duel me and Arcerion had. Pieced stuff together after that, I wont lie it was somewhat...frightening."

Sergei Deker:

Nodded with that bird like helm of his. He thought it was a good way to get subtle points across. There were few things he knew about. The technology of the empire, he could use better then most, but he couldn't tell you how it all worked. His core focuses were simple if a bit of an odd pairing. Military tactics, and theology. Not that anyone was about to debate him on the benefits of one form of worship over the other.

As Angelo began to write Sergei would stop at intervals to wait for him to catch up. While he did that he would peer down at the writing, watching the writing instrument move. Besides the fact that the words were upside down, Sergei also couldn't read the common tongue. He could speak it just fine, but he could only read and write in one language, which Angelo most likely was not familiar with. Though he was learning Old Herald from the teachers in the palace, alongside the emperor's own children.

"I will inform you on leads about them, when you have your own ship commissioned to track them down. It would do you no good to have a lead, but be incapable of finding them. After all, both of them are very far from here."

As far as the meaning no insult he would only shrug, he had no intention of taking insult from someone who was new to these things. Questions were asked that needed answering. He would let someone else explain the vastness of the Empire to Angelo, suffice to say besides this odd realm he'd been summoned too, The Empire was all he'd ever known, night sky and all. Then he made mention of the star port that had been built. He thought a moment about that and then had the answer that he so desired.

"You may of wandered into a construction area. Most help in possibly dangerous places is done by The Orchestra. That is their official designation. Most of the star port now is run by immigrants from different empires that flock here for the trade. Though admittedly we keep a sixty percent majority of our own people there. We don't need any upstarts undermining us. Also all technical work has to be done by our own people. Trade secrets and all that."

As he mentioned libraries he would nod. Though thinking on it he would shake his head. Then shrug. Suddenly quite indecisive. He sighed for a moment and would drink his water slowly.

"Of course we have libraries, however until your confirmation into the Imperial secrets, You are required to have a teacher. As I am the highest ranking official in this realm with Arcerion out on business it falls to me to divulge the knowledge. If it is something I do not know, I have a vast array of scientists and cultured people at my disposal. And after all, it ensures that you can get questions answered immediately. So I figure we may as well try and get along well, don't you think so?" His smile was slight, he seemed to be enjoying talking with the man. Maybe he'd end up asking some questions of his own, to more properly assert himself in Nexxian.

As far as the recognition went he would nod to the question. It was a simple question after all. "Once your training and teaching is complete we will petition for you to be recognized. Of course if Arc already spoke for you, it's a done deal. But tradition must be followed. " He nodded as that he mentioned he had no idea what he was looking at. Sergei just smiled a little bit, honest and truly.

"What you saw wasn't a cult. The capital of Kresh'alam Dor amplifies an Exercion's power. Allowing us to draw upon our fuel source from a very impressive distance away. What you saw was everyone in the empire who had fear or hate coursing through them. Think about how common those can be? No wonder there were entire planets that appeared devoted to it in your mind. If I did it to you now, you'd see everyone in Nexxian who was being courageous."

He pondered thinking if there was anything else that he was missing. Well there were huge swaths of it, so he would stop here for the moment to allow Angelo some questions before his next question.

"So what do you want to know about? I've got Religions, species, I have a tech expert that could come in and someone whose an expert in the culture. Your choice, I've got all day."

{Serene}

Angelo:

All of it made sense. Every answer, every word. For a jolly knight that didnt like delivering messages, Sergei had a profane skill for being directly useful in terms of knowledge. Then again he probably had a few thousand years of experience/age on him, so maybe it wasnt so much 'learned' but more 'thousand years made me know how to do this, willing or not'. Angelo scribbled down a few more notes and folded the paper, setting it in his right pocket. Indirectly and directly Sergei had answered him from the get go and honestly there little to ask in Angelos mind, though one such subject came up.

"...You said my own...Ship. I'll have you know I hope if I do get one, a crew comes with it. Because unless the controls are akin to a car or morotrcycle, I'm afraid I might die by crashing into a star."

Death by star did sound cool though, Angelo had to admit.

"Other then that? No, I cant think of anything else at the moment, other then, outside of learning; is there a particular assignment Arcerion or the Dorian Council wished for me to accomplish on their behalf?"

Sergei Deker:

Angelo seemed to be taking everything fairly well and in stride. His only real question was not one that he'd expected. In fact he had anticipated the man to be absolutely teeming with questions. This was bothersome, as he'd taken the entire day off to commit to this.

"I doubt even I could fly a starship that wasn't a single pilot short range fighter type. Yes of course you could expect to get a crew. As for a specific assignment. None that I've heard about. If it were up to me you'd be training in the field with my infantry in the morning, learning to pilot a ship after lunch, and learning history after dinner. I can only assume the emperor wants you too enjoy your time while you have it. After Ll you are getting married soon."

Angelo's lack of other questions certainly concerned him. He looked left and then right before the big steel hands would raise up to his helm and undo the helmet straps which attached the bird helm to the rest of his armor. Taking the helm off revealed a face that may of been handsome years ago. Now the top was covered in graying hair, and his face was a criss cross of scars from blades, as well as some pockmarks that very well may of been explosive shrapnel. War had been his life before the change.

"This is off the record Angelo. However the last time there was a second in command, he betrayed the emperor. Do you know what Arc did to him?". He waited for the obvious question to be asked, just what happened to the last second in command, after all the position had been vacant for some time now. Sergei rose his big gauntleted hand and pointed at the Confederate. "You happened to him."

{Tested.}

Angelo:

"I can if you want after work. We basically make our own hours and...I'm here at my desk until 6:30-7:00 PM. Maybe later if business is booming."

Which it was obvious it wasnt. Regardless he nodded, figuring as much. His brow raised as the helmet was removed and a face of war was bare before him. He could relate, even though such a thing wasnt on his face, but beneath his clothes? Certainly there were marks.

"I know."

He said simply, setting the pen he used off to the side.

"I found it odd from the get go, that all he did before with his kids was punish or cast them off, when they clearly 'played a game' with him and this Agency, that he wanted one of his brothers killed. It occured to me that either he did something so unspeakable Arcerion wouldnt say, he stole something from him, Arcerion wanted his power, he betrayed him in some way, or a combination of the things."

He had to wonder if that was the case with...All of the Shuinsais. Arc, somehow becoming the or one of the matriarchs of his famiy wanted most if not all of them in his controlling mold, and he couldnt help by looking at Sergei, if he and Arcerion were always on the same talkative terms. He was getting the cue though and he shut his eyes.

"...A sword that lives only betrays or kills its weilder when it itself has been betrayed. I know me and Arcerion will not always see eye to eye. Thats just living things nature, but unless he were to betray me first or leave me to dogs to devour, betraying him has no so much has entered my mind."

Sergei Deker:

Chuckled at Anelo's supposed work ethic, to see the old mans eyes light up like that certainly seemed to think he found something funny about this. He waved a gauntlet covered hand forwards dismissively at the notion.

"By the emperor's own decree you're to take it easy and expand your knowledge at you leisure. I'm just here to make sure you get the basics right. After all once you finish with your allotted time of for getting married, the emperor plans on working you day and night."

Angelo spoke at length of the emperor's own children and then of the being which he was effectively replacing. Sergei would mentally pocket away the information that Angelo had prior knowledge of the children for later.

"There are many reasons for the dismissal of Elsydion. Some say he had tried to usurp power, others think it was by decree of the empress that Arcerion took his brothers power. These are all rumors of course. Elsydion betrayed his only older brother. He discovered information concerning the Exercion species and refused to share to share it. Believing in vain that his refusal would prevent a war. In fact diplomatic relations with the Dra'Sin has never been better. Normally a punishment would be given, severe to be sure, but killing an Exercion is not something one would do lightly. There are too few of us in existence for that. Arcerion needed the power boost. I'm sure if you ask him, he'll happily show you why. I however am sworn to secrecy."

He waited for some of that to sink in before he nodded in affirmation to Angelo concerning him not betraying Arcerion. The man appeared honest if a little quiet when you considered everything. Helping run a space-faring multi-racial empire with different cultures and religions, figured there might be more questions. Oh well less work for him.

"Angelo would it be okay if I sent a message along to my daughter? She was tasked with the same educational task as I was except in dealing with your wife to be. I insisted that I ask your permission before she went there. So would it be fine if she met with your lady?"

{Hues of an Empire.}

Angelo:

He nodded. Sounded fair enough, its a good thing, as many attested to, Angelo was a slow if not, complete non-sleeper. Good and bad reasons there, but...nightmares and dreams to put it bluntly. His brow lifted at what Sergei said. Interesting, very interesting, but he nodded at the sworn to secrecy bit. Been there done that, sort of shit. In regards to the question of Tier though, he blinked and in the most non insulting way he could (because such a motion was hard not to be unless generally confused), Angelo shrugged.

"...If you need permission, I give you such to ask her. I'm betrothed to her, surely, but I cant speak for her unless I am generally sure, Sergei. I mean I'd have no problem but, its best to leave it in the hands of the beholder, not the witness."

He lifted a hand, a quirked smile on his face. Plus he didnt wanna risk the ire of one Ciello Regallo/Tier. Normally he left his mark but...she was more crafty with that and might actually make them hurt!