Prince Diabo - Throne Room of the Saderan Empire, Noon
As the delegation of foreigners entered the Imperial audience chamber, second prince Diabo el Caesar silently thanked the gods for putting this opportunity in his lap. The Emperor had picked his brother Zorzal as Crown Prince and his sister Pina had the backing of the Japanese outworlders and the peace faction of the senate. That left him with nothing, up until this Imperium of Man had made its presence known.
He looked at the massive, building-sized flying chariot that conveyed these foreigners here, a war engine far greater than the Japanese flying swords that destroyed the senate building, and knew that this was a force that could defeat the JSDF on the field of battle. The sight of their hulking warriors, clad in war-plate that would've taken a platoon of grown men just to lift let alone move in only reinforced his suspicions.
"I, Emperor Molt Sol Augustus bid you greetings to the city of Sadera fair visitors, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure and where do you hail from good sir" the Emperor boomed through the cavernous hall of the Imperial audience chamber, trying his best to intimidate the hulking warrior before him.
"I, Brother-Lieutenant Cordus, of the Ultramarines chapter accept these tidings on behalf of the Imperium of Man." The warrior stated crisply while bowing in respect, his booming stentorian voice making a mockery of his father's attempt to intimidate the newcomers and betraying a twinge of irritation
Diabo had to admit that he would've also been extremely annoyed himself if his father had subjected him to several hours of ceremony, cordialities, and minor festivities just for the chance at an audience.
"We come here from across the great ocean, to the west to open lines of communication between our peoples."
Now that was interesting.
"Then you have truly come a long way, yet still you know our language. How curious." The Emperor noted suspiciously, disbelief etched across his face. No vessel in the known world had ever reached across the great ocean, which was rumored to be infinitely vast. "What truly brings you here?"
"I will dispense with the pleasantries then your grace. We are here to learn about the gates between worlds. I have been fully authorized by government to initiate a non-aggression pact and exchanges of culture to the ends of establishing friendship between our peoples and gaining knowledge of these devices." Brother-Lieutenant Cordus stated without missing a beat.
"Oho, then consider yourselves honored guests of this Empire. I shall have my servants bring you to your lodgings and attend to your needs and entertainments. Then we shall reconvene to discuss in private." A vicious smile was erupting on his father's face. Diabo clearly understood that his father intended to play this Imperium of Man against Japan.
He would have to move quickly to bring the Imperium to his side before his father, Zorzal, Japan, or Pina got to them. Emperor Molt was getting old and the succession to the throne was looking more like a civil war in the making than a simple crowning ceremony.
Molt continued to speak. "And in the spirit of friendship between our two empires, I would request that you refrain from speaking to those of the nation of Japan before we have had a chance to come to an understanding. May I have your word on this good sir?"
The hulking Ultramarine, as he called himself, simply inclined his head without breaking eye contact. "You have my word, your grace."
"Good, good, let us finish this dreary business and break for lunch! Would you care to join us?" Molt boomed, a twinkle in his eye as he gestured the palace slaves to come forth and see to the needs of the foreign dignitaries.
"We would be honored"
~I~
Prince Diabo - Gardens of the Saderan Imperial Palace, mid-Afternoon
Diabo grimaced as he surveyed the lunch party. The most prominent senators of the war faction and the Emperor surrounded the Brother-Lieutenant like a pack of starving wolves around a freshly killed fawn. They asked incessant questions about his country's military strength and their willingness to export weapons or mercenaries along with oblique questions prodding for any divisions in the Imperium's internal political structure.
With a grunt of approval, he noted that the hulking knight was deflecting said questions with oratorical grace that would rival some of the best speakers in the Senate. Truly this Cordus was blessed with it all, high status, a godlike physique, a tongue of silver with a with as sharp as a sword.
Diabo swirled the cocktail in his hand as he struggled to think of a way to get a private meeting with the newcomers without attracting the attention of either the peace or war faction of the Empire. Lost in his schemes, he idly surveyed the party and felt a small surge of perverse glee as he beheld several pro-peace senators whispering furiously among themselves as his sister Pina tied her best to maintain a neutral facial expression.
How the fates could turn!
A cold, distorted voice, devoid of any emotion stirred him from his reverie. He turned to see who was calling him and spilled his drink in shock, idly noting that people were moving away from him with undisguised fear.
The thing was a hulking mass of metal nearly two meters tall, swathed in crimson robes with writhing metal tentacles erupting out the back, each appendage ending in strange glowing contraptions or terrifyingly sharp blades. Its face was equally horrific, a trio of three baleful red eyes stared out from above a proboscis like protrusion that took the place of a nose and mouth and connected to a device on its chest.
+Greetings Prince Diabo, I am Magos-Artisan Tytos and I bid you greetings on behalf of the Emperor-Omnissiah+
"A f-fair day to you Magos. How are you enjoying the f-f-food?" he stuttered, nearly stumbling backwards before regaining his composure.
A harsh grating sound that Diabo guessed was laughter emanated from somewhere in Tytos body. +I cannot comment on the food since I no longer draw my sustenance that way. You also need fear me not though, for I am but a scholar making small talk+
The prince cleared his throat to help regain his bearings. "Of course, I meant no offense learned one. I was merely surprised by your appearance, for nothing like you exists in our empire. What sort of knowledge would you request of me Sir Tytos?"
+Your grace I am afraid that we have not the same intellectual interest. I am but here to perform a favor for you in the name of friendship between our nations+ the creature intoned quietly, low enough to go unheard since most people had vacated the location around Tytos with haste.
"A favor?"
+Yes. I have a… gift for reading people+ Tytos stated conspiratorially as one of his three glowing eyes briefly flashed blue. +And I do believe that you would be most interested in a private conversation with my leaders your grace+
Diabo smiled. Lady luck smiled for him now, not Zorzal or Pina.