VonGrippen awoke in the depths of the night, his eyes opening as he cradled her against him, sleeping soundly like she always did. It wasn't a feeling, just his intuition told him something was wrong, and he climbed from the bed careful not to disturb her, showering and getting dressed. A simple black waistcoat over a plain white shirt, tucking his father's pocket watch into the pocket, pausing to flip it open.

Five am.

She was watching him from the bed, "what's wrong Alex?"

"I don't know," he answered stepping into his shoes and rolling his shirt sleeves up. He couldn't shake the feeling as he crossed to the door, reaching for his gun belt, sliding the pulse pistol from its holster and cocking the weapon. Counting silently to himself as he pulled the door open and looked towards the guard who stood silent watch outside his door, part of the protection detail of guards his position entitled him to.

He warded off a question as he started for the stairs, as behind him the guard lifted his radio and talked into it quietly, alerting the others in the house that the Highlord was awake. VonGrippen had grown accustomed to the constant vigil of the House Guard, it had been part of his life since he had been young. Even a popular leader had to worry about the opportunistic. There were plenty out in the universe who saw him as a threat, and wouldn't hesitate to remove him should an opportunity arise.

The study was dark, the lamps offering light in the dim morning that was beginning to lighten the Eastern sky. He stirred through the papers on his desk, turning on the laptop on the corner of his desk, waiting while it booted through, sitting down into the high backed leather chair and resting his hand against his temple to ward off the headache that came from dehydration and lack of sleep.

Ben stood in the doorway, wrapped in his worn blue dressing gown and cradling Vickie in his arms, feeding her from a bottle. The little one burbling happily as she supped on the bottle, fixing VonGrippen with a curious stare.

"Morning, I think," Ben offered, "I thought I was the only one doomed to sleepless nights."

"Doesn't Lance..." VonGrippen gestured to the child.

"He does, but he has classes in the morning so I take the late night feedings, in return Lance gives me a hand evenings and weekends. He has... difficulty in staying awake if he has a rough night." Ben rocked the baby as he entered the study, "so that is my excuse, what's yours?"

"I..." there was a rush of light from the centre of the study, a brilliant flash of energies pouring together as a large, biomechanical being pulsed and flexed in the middle of the study. It held a large wooden and crystal staff intricately carved to match the polished golden plates of its body armour. Its digitigrade legs moved to steady its bulk as its staff came to rest at its side, the third hand stretching from a tertiary arm in the centre of its chest as it pointed to VonGrippen.

VonGrippen rose from the chair, the pistol coming up as he stepped between the intruder and Ben carrying the baby. Standing tall and firm his jaw set as he stared at it in shock taking a long breath as he found his words.

"Ambassador?" VonGrippen tilted his head, tossing the gun back to the desk as he sank his hands into the pockets of his trousers and bounced on the balls of his feet, seeming unconcerned now that he knew what the alien being was.

It turned and spoke slowly, its voice harsh and guttural, like water poured over cobblestones while a fish floundered in the shallows. The Polian appeared like a nightmare out of the human imagination, a devil wearing gold, its horns springing out from its visored helm and curving forward like a bull's.

VonGrippen shook his head, "my Polian isn't... as strong as I would like. You said something about leaving?"

Ben shook his head, "he said that he has come to greet the newest race to develop Jump Drive technology, and to welcome us into the galactic community at long last."

"Thank you," VonGrippen bowed a little to the Polian, "can you ask him..."

The being spoke again, gesturing with his gauntleted hand.

Ben smiled, "he states that he can understand you just fine if you would prefer to address him directly."

"Of course he does," VonGrippen murmured sarcastically, smiling again and then abandoning it, the emotion would be wasted upon the Polian that had about as little frame of reference for it as VonGrippen himself. "I would be happy to open diplomatic relations between the House and..."

They vanished in a flash of light. Reappearing for a second in an ancient stone chamber, high arches and great open doors that stood staring down the length of an ancient cathedral. Off to one side another Polian stood his gauntleted hand moving across a computer console.

"Where...?" VonGrippen began as they were swept away again, to stand upon polished stone, lit with an eerie light shining reflectively from somewhere high above them. Vickie, unaccustomed to the strangeness began to wail, as Ben rocked her shushing to calm her down.

"Well we're not in Kansas any more," VonGrippen remarked looking towards the large alien that was clanking its way from the chamber and out into brilliant sunlight. VonGrippen set his jaw, knowing that to argue with the enigmatic race would bring them nothing but frustration, the Polian wished to show them something, and VonGrippen was content to trust it for the time being.

He stepped out into the tropical morning, scents of wild flowers catching and tickling his nostrils as he steeped out onto the high platform looking out over an island of lush jungle trees, golden sands and crystal blue waters. Alien birds burst from trees and swept up into the sky, streaking down again as the settled on far branches. The wind rippling his shirt as it tousled his hair.

"Where are we?" Ben asked keeping Vickie close to him, picking his way in his slippers after VonGrippen and the Polian that was climbing a broad ramp up towards a dark doorway.

"On an island?" VonGrippen suggested as he climbed.

"You're not at least worried about this?" Ben asked nervously.

VonGrippen blinked as he turned back, realizing that he should be, but again the emotion was as alien to him as their surroundings. He shook his head, "if the Ambassador sought to do us harm he would have done so by now..."

"Not if his cook pot's that'a'way," Ben observed.

The Polian stopped and turned, resting its staff against its shoulder as it spoke again.

Ben flushed and smiled, "he says he is a vegetarian, and that I look too chewy anyway."

VonGrippen walked past the Polian and into the high arch, looking down the ramp that descended into the rock face; carved with precision it gave the impression of a modern, if alien, structure. A place for combat, too many nooks and crevasses for defenders to hold in, keeping an enemy at bay. His studies with the House fleet, many years in command had given him a concise understanding of combat and an appreciation of fortifications. It meant that the Polians were no strangers to conflict, and given their technology level anything strong enough to be a threat to them had to be formidable indeed.

They walked through broad storage areas that stood empty, whisking drones flying too and fro as they carried pieces of crystal through a network of tubes that probably connected the entire facility. It gave the impression of constant activity, despite the fact they had seen no other beings since entering the dark archway.

The crystal spire ahead of them, as they emerged from the storage areas and into a vast chamber that stretched up towards and through the ceiling was black like obsidian. Along its surface glyphs glowed blue and danced up and down its length. Out on the platform holographic displays flashed different images of stars, planets and spacecraft.

"A deep space observatory," Ben stepped forward and examined one of the holographic displays that were being recorded upon a shard of crystal, once it was completed, a drone would sweep down, replace it with a blank crystal before it vanished with its prize into the network of tunnels above.

The Polian spoke motioning to the crystal and then to the recordings, looking at VonGrippen every so often as it spoke. Ben translated as best he could, "they are making a gift to you, and to humanity. The same hyperspace navigation map that they give to all races once they evolve to interstellar beings."

VonGrippen gestured to the crystal still looking at the Polian, "does this see all astral bodies in known space?"

The Polian answered and Ben nodded his head, "yes, everything within the range of its sensors."

The Polian waved a hand through a holographic interface as a map sprang to life showing the Geldan system, and its relative position to other stellar bodies, including the beacon corridor. Showing an Orion Tradeliner charting the treacherous corridor heading for the Geldan sector.

VonGrippen leaned in as the Polian waved his hand and resolved in upon the Orion vessel, showing its rows of combat drop pods, the United States logos painted upon frigates attached to the hull. There was no doubt that the US had at last set its sights upon Geldan.

The Polian stood silently, leaving neither of the humans with the doubt that the Polian had shown them that particular image by happenstance. The Polian was delivering them a warning of the imminent danger.

VonGrippen tapped his chin, studying the image for a long moment before he looked over at the Polian, "there was a Terran ship, Icarus, it vanished a number of years ago just before the Polian delegation arrived on Earth." He looked back at the map, "Could this device show me where that ship is?"

The Polian stroked the controls, changing the image as it zeroed in on Earth, the USS Colombia and its flotilla enforcing the US embargo. The map zoomed out to a macroscopic view of the Terran home sectors, searching, as it resolved in again on a lone star system, devoid of anything beyond a couple of barren worlds and a brilliant blue nebula cloud. It zeroed in further upon the worn and battered starship bearing UN markings. A bullet shaped forward section embedded in an asteroid of rock, followed by a long lattice connection for the neck back into a stocky body, Tri-foil mounts for ion drives sweeping out from the main body.

VonGrippen folded his arms and looked at Ben, "Icarus."

"The Clouds of Neptune, well that solves possibly the single greatest mystery of our time," Ben observed, "what are you thinking?"

"I am not sure yet," VonGrippen replied truthfully, "but I know this, we're running out of time."

Markus sat listening to the National Security Advisor deliver his briefing to the President. A cluster of high ranking generals, the Secretary of Defence, the Chief of Staff and now one lone congressman, all assembled to hear the dire news.

"At oh-six-hundred this morning, China launched an all out offensive on Australia's northern coast." There was a ripple through the collected officials, as they looked at each other dumbstruck. China had been left to its own devices, with the escalation of war with Europe, much of the US assets were currently deployed in the Atlantic. The Advisor continued, "early estimates place about a million troops currently landing through amphibious assault craft and sub-orbital drops. The aerial campaign is continuing as China endeavours to disable the Australian defence network."

"Nukes?" General Morgan asked.

"None used as yet, but that isn't to say China won't. Australia signed the Non-proliferation Treaty and refused to develop the weapons," The National Security Advisor grimaced, "sir, Mister President, they don't stand a hope in hells chance against China, their Ambassador is asking the United States formally for assistance..."

"We have none to give them," General Morgan stated flatly, "Everything we have is tied up in our own war effort, and after the cluster-f..." He shifted uncomfortably, "after the mess in North Africa we had little choice but to transfer our Pacific assets to hold onto our strategic gains in the Middle East and South Africa. It's going to take us at least a year until we are back up to our conventional combat readiness..."

"That is a load of rubbish and you well know it," Markus spoke up from where he was standing, folding his arms as he glared down at the General, "there are reserve forces, and significant equipment stationed on Hawaii that can be deployed to assist the Australian government within days. One of our orbital platforms can be stationed geo-synchronously over Australia and offer orbital bombardment to relieve the pressure from their forces." Markus seethed, "if you are advocating abandoning one of our allies to their fate just because it is inconvenient to your war, at least have the balls to stand up and say so."

"Congressman..." General Morgan stood, gritting his teeth, "I don't know why you're here but..."

"I am the next Vice-President of the United States of America, and your future boss." Markus bit out icily, "sit down and comport yourself with the dignity that uniform is supposed to convey, before I knock you down."

The general went wide eyed, as he felt a wave of panic wash over him, sitting down quickly and obediently, "y-yes sir," he trembled.

"Markus?" The President reminded, clearing his throat.

Markus turned back to the President and inclined his head stepping back a little, "my apologies Mister President, I dislike liars." He fixed his hard eyes on General Morgan, slipping them over to the Secretary of Defence, Madeline sitting coolly returning his gaze unfazed by his accusation.

"Since the annulment of the mutual defence treaty after the start of the war with Europe, this becomes a question for Congress," The President determined, "I am not about to start a second war with China without the backing of both houses. We are already in enough trouble for starting wars we can't finish."

"On that note, the advanced strike force has began to traverse the Beacon Corridor," Madeline shuffled through her papers, selecting the report as she set her glasses on her nose, "Admiral Langdon reports that the Orion Tradeliner should arrive within the month and he will be able to deploy to secure a foot hold in House territory swiftly. The House..."

Markus started, choosing to keep his mouth shut this time and just listen, he'd been unaware that there was a plan in motion to invade Geldan VII, his sister... VonGrippen... he closed his eyes feeling a wave of unease settle over him.

"What changed the Orion's mind?" The President inquired.

"Ambassador Damarra didn't give a reason behind the Orions reversal, but you can bet it has something to do with the fact that the House is offering Jump technology to other colonies," Madeline replied. "The Orions probably recognize a potential threat to their transportation monopoly. They have agreed to transport our troops and ships to Geldan on the condition that we destroy all Jump technology and research captured."

"It is good to know that old treaties still hold weight," The President snarled, "and how long do we have to go on sitting upon our own jump drive research?"

"At least until the end of the war," Madeline suggested, "the Orions are unaware that we have a functional Jump Drive prototype... The Icarus disaster saw to that. We can recover Icarus at any time we choose once the war is over, reverse engineer the technology and solidify our control over the colonies again."

"The great legacy," The President looked up at Markus, "you will come to hate this as much as I do one day, but we're winning the war. And one day we will see a reward for all our suffering."

"I hope it will be worth it," Markus offered folding his arms.

General Chow reached down to pet her head, running his hand fondly over it and tickling slightly behind her ears. He knew she liked the attention, and he also knew that she served as a reminder to the members of the Central Party that he ruled China. She looked up at him with loving affection, nuzzling his hand in return, beaming that she was able to show him how much his love meant to her.

"There has been no word of reprisals for the United States, and Europe has sent its regrets that it cannot assist Australia, the only ones offering any kind of assistance are the British, but they are in no shape to actually matter." A political analyst was staring at General Chow, trembling and trying not to look at his 'pets' as he delivered his report. It was hard with the General foisting attention upon one, while the male sat upright on his velvet cushion, staring with utter hatred at anyone that dared come close to his master.

"Bohao!" Chow admonished, and the young man that sat beside his throne looked up towards his master, his eyes faltering as he bowed his head pulling back to sit upon his pillows obediently. Chow pointed at the analyst, "I want to know the American intentions."

"Yes General," The analyst bowed again, hurrying away as quickly as he could, allowing the next senior party member to step forward.

"General Chow," he greeted, prostrating himself formally and standing, repeating the gesture again as he bowed, "there are more reports of... the genetically enhanced human beings."

The General looked up with interest, "go ahead," he ordered, "what news?"

"Aside from the one we are monitoring in Japan who is establishing a financial empire for himself. There are intelligence reports that place a pair at work in the Russian confederation, as well as a European child who has somehow managed to become a senior tactician to the Indian government."

"They are cropping up like weeds," Chow murmured thoughtfully, "do they possess the... gifts... that my pets have?"

"Nothing that has been displayed openly," the Party member answered, "primarily enhanced intelligence..."

"They are allowing them to think?" Chow sneered, shaking his head in disbelief, "they are tools, made by mankind to serve mankind, nothing more than animals." He gestured to Kaili who was sitting bright eyed beside him, "properly trained they can be useful, but wild... like most beasts, they are dangerous. Order the PLA to target the one in India we can reach. Capture him if they can, or simply kill him if they cannot. I will not risk our Indian campaign because they cannot control their animals."

The Party member inclined his head, "and the one in Japan? Jabin Denver?"

"He will suffer a capitalist's fate," Chow muttered, "he will be thrown to the people for... justice. Once we are done with Australia we shall turn our attentions upon India and Japan... enlightening them to their errors in judgement."

"As you wish," the Party member bowed again and backed away slowly, hurrying to carry out the General's wishes.

Chow waved off the next one in line, standing as he whistled for his two pets to follow him. Like obedient animals they skulked after him as he walked out into the beautiful garden.

He shrugged the yellow and black great coat onto his shoulders as he walked. A mark of his prominence in the People's Liberation Army, a sign of the honour they had bestowed upon him by calling him the Great Yellow Dragon, a symbol of Imperial China. He admired the flowers in his garden as he walked through the Forbidden City, the ancient residence of the Chinese royal family, and haven for the Emperors. For the son of a Korean fisherman, Chow had never expected to be where he was, the Emperor of China in all but name. The Manchurian Warlord.

The Garden of Forgotten Favourites was a place of solitude for him, deep in what had once been the domain of Emperors, eunuchs and concubines. It was a place of eternal sadness, where the concubines of a dead emperor were sent to live out the rest of their days, banished from sight and mind, cast aside even before the body of the man they had loved was cold.

He sat down upon a step, turning to look at his pets as they settled down upon their haunches close to him. They had caused so many problems when they had first been recovered from the crashed Orion pod. Originally there had been four, but the oldest two had to be put down swiftly when it became clear that they were dangerous. Possessing formidable mental and telekinetic powers. The younger two... it had taken a long time to strip them of the false notions of their humanity, to return them to a manageable, and controlled state. But like any fond owner, Chow had applied the rod to coax them into the loyal and obedient creatures they were now.

He wondered how much they remembered, between the training, the shock therapy and the beatings. Did they view themselves as human still? Were they buying their time until a memory resurfaced that would turn them upon him?

One look into Kaili's eyes told him there was nothing there but love, a puppy that would follow her master without question. Kill upon command and die to protect him. Bohao was another matter. He burned with his memories, as he lay obeying the commands that he was given, he still longed for the freedom he once had. The difference between males and females, the male's natural aggression always needed an outlet. Chow decided at that moment to neuter Bohao, it was better to curtail his aggression now than to wait for it to flourish. It was, after all, for his own good.

Chow sat there a long while, simply watching them, waiting for the sun to sink in the sky and for the afternoon to pass into memory. He was a busy man, however it was nice for him to simply enjoy an afternoon, as an old man should. Sitting under the sun.

His aged eyes creased as he rested, musing on everything and nothing. He had obligations to the people of his Asia, re-investing the monies that had been seized from the nationalization of capitalist Enterprises that had spread through Indo-China like weeds. There were schools where there had been none before, wealth had been redistributed as the absurd notion of one government, two systems, had been replaced by the truest sense of Mao-ism. He was building the utopia his predecessors had dreamed about, and he would go on, taking from the haves and sharing with the have-nots.

He wouldn't allow another child to endure the pain he had experienced as a boy, growing up scraping for a bite to eat.

VonGrippen hung up the phone, sitting behind his desk as he turned his chair to stare out of the window at the late morning sunlight. His day had been chaotic since they had returned from the Polian observatory. VonGrippen placing strategic calls to learn the status of the Shisak's retrofit, and a few calls through to Colonel McGregor to have him put together an assault team.

Ben was hovering out on the lawns, his cell phone in hand placing calls of his own. Calling in favours as he covered logistics and tried to find a doctor. The latter he seemed to be having little to no luck upon.

Lance's light knock preceded him as he entered VonGrippen's study, putting down a fresh pot of coffee for him and retrieving the empty one, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" He asked patiently, knowing that VonGrippen would tell him eventually, but nudging him to remind him that he wasn't alone.

VonGrippen looked up at his old friend and felt a pang of sadness, his plan meant he would be leaving, and that meant he was leaving Katherine as well. After all the time spent building something between them, she had become the one woman he could open up to, who could understand him and drew affection from the well he kept inside, dipping from the source.

"In order to protect Geldan, I am going to have to stop an Orion Tradeliner bearing an American invasion force from traversing the Beacon Corridor." VonGrippen met his questioning eyes, "I say me, because..."

"You feel that it is your responsibility," Lance replied, "that you are somehow the only person who can stand on the wall and fight," he pushed his hair back from his face. Lance looking across at the faint lines that were beginning to form on VonGrippen's face, the marks that worry left, even though he was unaware they were there.

"I can't leave this in some one else's hands," VonGrippen said quietly, "it's too important."

"His father's sword, he hath girthed it on..." Lance recited from memory.

VonGrippen nodded, "the House is free, I need to keep it that way."

"You VonGrippen's always were crusaders," he responded, "you look for a cause and then you commit to it until it is done. A man of conviction, who follows the path that God laid out for him."

"I never understood your fascination with God," VonGrippen murmured reaching out instinctively to clap his friend on the shoulder.

"I never question my faith, like I never question your belief that you must be the one to do this," he nodded to him, "Admiral."

"Indeed," VonGrippen stood, "I'm the most qualified, plus I have battle experience. Compared to most of the pups going with us..."

"Well, at least Katherine married her Nelson," Lance smiled with a faint regret that the two men always shared, turning slightly to look out at his husband on the green lawns making arrangements, "he's going with you, isn't he?"

"I need him," VonGrippen nodded, "but I promise I will look after him for you. I will bring him home."

Lance sighed, "what do you need from me?"

"The House will need someone to watch over it while I am gone," he smiled tightly, "I'm going to name Katherine acting-regent until I return, she's smart, respected by the people and..."

"She will do fine, I'll take care of her, don't worry," Lance hugged VonGrippen tightly, "be safe..."

"I'm not worried," VonGrippen replied awkwardly at Lance's proximity, "I was merely..."

"Fussing," Lance smiled at him teasingly, "anything else?"

"Ben's currently trying to find a doctor willing to accompany us..."

Lance nodded, "Doctor Sevano, she runs the clinic up at the mining settlement. She was telling me yesterday that she doesn't get enough excitement in her life. That and she is familiar with Ben's condition... just in case."

VonGrippen nodded his thanks, "well I may not share your faith, but I still consider you a God send."

"I'm a VonGrippen," he said straightening up, "if not in name, but I'd like to think we're brothers. And you know that VonGrippens are miracle workers."

"Really?" VonGrippen replied smiling, "must be your influence on the family."

The sunlight filtered through the heavy sycamore trees that lined the path, golden light that reflected off of the twirling seeds that fell from heavy branches overhead. The pair walked along the path, climbing well worn steps up to the highest part of the Scottish rock garden, laden in heather, spilling over the rocks and mixing with the golden and green mosses that grew up the old stonework, adding to the aged feel of the place. That last sanctuary tucked away from war, from politics and from death.

His coat billowed once as he folded his hands behind his back, the peaked cap pulled low over his eyes, shielding them from the sunlight. The House Admiral's uniform mirroring the British Fleeters that he had worn so many years before. But his eyes, deep and dark, laden with the worries of a galaxy gone mad, haunted by the fore-knowledge of what was to come, turned to look upon his one refuge from that. The one sanctuary for his soul.

She was beautiful in the sunlight, her auburn hair spilling around her shoulders, the deep green woollen dress hidden beneath a tartan shawl, clasped with a broach that had belonged to his mother. Her green eyes shining as she walked with him, her knowledge of him and her sense of his emotions told him he could never hide anything from her. She knew what he was about to say, and she waited for it.

"I have to leave," he said quietly, his voice hiding the emotion he felt deep within him, in that secret place.

"I know you do," she replied her voice always strong, but after all the years they had spent, the years of courtship and the years of marriage, VonGrippen had learned to read her emotions as well. "I am the only one with the capacity to stop the fleet that approaches our home." He didn't turn to her, standing looking down at the old house nestled below, the sun glittering off of the open French doors.

She reached out a hand to touch the back of his shoulder, "I know," she answered the sadness ebbing through her, "you have always been Ben's dark knight."

He turned his head to her at last, looking into those pained green eyes, "someone has to be. The only way to save all of this, to save you..."

"If you leave, and you will leave, then you have wed sorrow," she said her hand reached up to pull the peaked cap from his head, as the dark hair fell across his forehead to cover an eye, "because I will grieve for you." A crystal tear slid down her cheek as around her the sycamore seeds fell.

He stared into those eyes, aching to touch her face, trying to will it to show, but the iron shroud upon his emotions locked it away from his face, "I will return..."

"A man never returns from war," Katherine fought proudly to meet his gaze, more tears sliding down her alabaster cheek, "even those who survive find that their souls died the day they took up arms..." She sniffed slightly, her bottom lip shaking as she stared at him for the last time.

He took a deep breath and lifted his hand in a salute to her, "Milady VonGrippen, by your leave..."

She shook her head, "stay," she begged, her hands balling in the folds of his uniform tunic. "Don't go..."

"I must, it is the only way to find peace," he said resolutely.

"There are other ways," she urged him.

"Sometimes," he whispered, his voice faltering, "the only peace is found in war."

She released him, her delicate chin sinking as she shook her head, "if not for me," she said quietly her hands resting upon her waist, "then for your son."

VonGrippen's eyes travelled down, a flicker behind them as realization flooded through him, he was a father...

"I must go," he responded woodenly, turning his back to her and tucking his cap under his arm.

"Please," she begged, "don't go and tear our lives apart... Alex..."

He strengthened his resolve as he began to march back down the steps, sliding the cap onto his brow, as behind him Katherine took a hesitant step after him. Her hand rising as if she could catch him and stop him from leaving. Sinking to her side as she drew the shawl closer about her as she began to weep for the man that would be lost. The man who she had grown to love. Her lover, her friend who would never return to her again.

The cruiser Shisak was a broad decked, slender vessel reminiscent of an attack submarine. Dark titanium hull plates coated with a radar reflective carbon composite coating, gave her a small radar profile, the angular prow hiding guided cruise missiles, and a retractable Orion rail cannon system that would give them a punch when called upon to do so. The twelve primary missile tubes were loaded with Orion self-guided nuclear missiles, and her main bay housed a pair of highly agile dropships capable of deploying her troops, or acting as shuttles when called upon.

CLK-17 HMS Shisak was classified as a hunter-killer cruiser and she had been designed that way. Geldan pouring resources into the deadly craft as they had constructed her years before to be the cutting edge of their warfleet. The retrofit now placed her as a test-bed for the experimental combat Jump Drive reverse engineered from the captured Orion Tradeliner.

She sat on a specially designed airfield, surrounded by floodlights that lit her up and showed the assembled troops of Geldan soldiers assembled in the lee of the vessel. They formed up into neat ranks they watched the black Landrover pull to a halt and the cluster of military officers step down to the damp tarmac.

VonGrippen marched, the greatcoat collar turned up, and the white peaked cap with its Admiral's oak leaves glinting in the light as he marched around to the front of the ranks, nodding as Colonel McGregor saluted him in greeting.

"The crew is assembled, sir," The gruff Colonel intoned, looking up at the heavily armoured cruiser that had become the flagship of the House fleet, and would carry all their hopes when it took to the skies.

VonGrippen nodded, "I hearby, under the authority of the Geldan Colonial Assembly, assume command over this vessel."

The Colonel nodded, "Good luck Admiral."

"You as well Colonel," VonGrippen shook his hand, "If we fail, Geldan will need to be defended."

"It will be defended, sir, on that you can depend." The Colonel stepped back as VonGrippen inspected the lines of troops. About four hundred and fifty souls who would be looking to him as their Captain for the next several months. God, king, Captain, the rule on ship was absolute.

Ben looked frail standing beside him in his Fleet uniform a Lieutenant Commander's insignia upon his collar. He fought his illness, but it was going to be a rough trip for him, yet steadfastly he refused to be left behind, and VonGrippen was grateful for the support.

Doctor Sevano fought with her bags, the daughter of the head of Geldan VII's Jamaican society, she seemed at home with all the soldiers around her. Unloading her gear and equipment from the Landrover as she banged out the uniform cap that she put onto her head and fell into line with the Shisak's senior officers.

Lieutenant Worth marched forward, bellowing for his men to come to attention, turning as he saluted the Admiral. He wore the insignia that had been adopted by all the House armed forces. The black Striking Falcon descending across a red sun. The Falcon was the colonial mascot after the successful introduction of a number of endangered falcons from Earth. Its bird sanctuaries were one of the things that made Geldan special. A source of great pride amongst the Geldan citizenry, when his father had chosen a symbol for the House flag, it had been a natural choice.

Each of the crew's shoulders were decorated with the Striking Falcon, and one was painted upon the bridge superstructure of the cruiser. They still wore the circle of golden stars on a field of blue that marked their membership in the European Union, but they had chosen to stand alone, and that they would defend their territory proudly.

He nodded as the crew was dismissed, being ordered up the ramps and onboard the cruiser. VonGrippen taking a moment to look back towards the Landrover where Katherine stood with Lance. Her hands were sunk deep into the pockets of one of his coats, the wind blowing her hair as she watched him.

VonGrippen stood a long, silent moment staring back, before he saluted the Highlady VonGrippen. Beside him he felt Ben doing the same for Lance. The two husbands saying good bye to their loved ones as they boarded the warship to prepare for departure.