Pyrus guided his ship to the Aurora almost on instinct himself, Zera to his right and Graveheart behind her, just at the edge of his vision. Outwardly, he gave no sign of his inner turmoil and stress, knowing the outer ring to have had most of the legacy bloodline families living there. Secretly, he hoped that Hest had been lost to space, quickly squashing the thought as he knew wishing something like that on another would only bring something worse for him. He could almost feel Zera and Graveheart watching him, jumping slightly when Samateus' thoughts of concern chimed in his head and he looked up instinctively, her armoured helm just above his ship's viewport.
**Hey Sam... Yeah I'm alright.** Pyrus directed his thoughts at her, smirking to himself and glancing at Zera who almost excitedly looked up and waved lightly at her. She quickly connected their minds to hers, her grief briefly expressed before she directed their attention to their scanners before withdrawing. Zera, seeing Pyrus was more preoccupied with flying the ship, helpfully brought up the scanner readouts on the smaller viewscreen before her and immediately gasped. Graveheart peered over her shoulder, whistling lightly.
"That is quite the escort." He smirked, Pyrus' brows rising as he glanced over at the readouts. Other than Samateus flying above them, six other Taalrulthians and the Obsidian Flare itself followed along behind as they moved to rendezvous with the alliance capital ship. They were soon joined by Spine, the Bonean capital ship flanked by four Taalrulthians as well as its usual assortment of Carapace fighters. Pyrus took another steadying breath, impressed and thankful for the show of support, smirking and gunning the engines on his ship to race ahead, Samateus' windy laughter wafting through their heads as she had to be careful with her still injured wing, but her other six kin kept up with him easily as she fell back to gently alight atop the Obsidian Flare as it followed along behind.
Several minutes later, Pyrus, Graveheart and Zera walked into the Aurora's table room where Cryos had teleported in a few moments prior, Jade joining him from Rock before Xerxes, Samateus, Tekla and Capacitor also teleported in. After a bit of a lengthy wait, Femur and Sternum, dragging Pelvus, waltzed in and all moved to sit around the table as before, though Xerxes remained standing, waiting for the rest to be seated before he placed a small disk-shaped device on the table before him. It unfurled much like a flower, projecting the image of the Firian battle moon from before the attack.
"I'll warn you all now, this was difficult to view, even as an outsider..." Xerxes warned, waving his hand over the image to begin playback.
First, three Beast drones teleported in suddenly near the Moon's surface, quickly dispatched by surface weapons. More appeared, racing through and redirecting the attention of the alliance fighters in the area, clearing a large space before a Beast capital ship appeared, front end of it ever so slightly disappearing in the surface of the moon itself. Xerxes tapped the device, pausing the image there and directing the others to where the ship visibly disappeared into the edge of the moon, Jade gritting her teeth angrily as he allowed it to continue to play after a brief readout showed that there was only approximately a meter overlap of the ship and the surface of the moon. The resulting explosion knocked the Battle moon aside, the Beast capital ship turning to dust in a series of explosions from where it had met the Moon, all the way through its cylindrical form. Xerxes quickly dismissed the recording before it got any farther, moving to steady himself on the table, Samateus at his side in a breath. He held himself up, visibly shuddering as seen by the quivering of his feathers, inhaling deeply to keep himself steady, Kemet appearing on Samateus' left horn in his smaller form, ready to provide the medical inhaler he held onto if needed.
"Voyd is trying to demoralize us by attacking us where it hurts most, our peoples. I've been trying to think of another option, have been extremely hesitant in voicing this, however I believe there is a need to have constant patrols up again. If there are no gaps, he wont try that again. That then puts stress on Ice, Rock and Bone, as all three have been visited by the Beast's agents in differing capacity." Xerxes paused, taking in a steadying breath as he reigned in the rage building in him. "Taalrulthian patrols and escorts are around everywhere, Siren's Revenge, another of our capital ships modeled after my Obsidian Flare, has been put on permanent watch over the Battle Moon where the Firian populace still dwell, even though I am extremely reluctant to not insist they move." Another pause, Xerxes meeting the gaze of each at the table briefly before continuing.
"I know I mentioned this before, however we do have a way to terraform one of our existing World-ship planetoids. The caveat being that we do not know how stable it will be or how quickly. Khilseith has pulled all the significant pull we have, and every available resource is being put toward this, yet I am still very concerned by the conditions on the Moon." Jade frowned.
"And what would you have us do?" She barely held her anger at the implication that they had willingly allowed for the Firian populace to live in almost poverty level conditions.
"Blaze is envoking Martial Law. This is the only way I can think of, within the Firian edicts, that can keep the populace safe until we can move them to a permanent home." Xerxes explained, motioning to Pyrus. "Unless you can see another option."
"Unfortunately no. I've sat by and watched, beating myself up, but I know there is nothing else that could or can be done to make things better." Pyrus closed his eyes, gently unhooking the Obsidian Blade from his belt and placed it on the table before him, hand never leaving it. Some of the others stiffened at it being brought out and placed within view, having heard the many tales of just how dangerous a Firian could be with said blade. "How long do you think it will be until we reach the Ark, at our current speed?" Pyrus looked to Tekla and Capacitor almost pointedly, the others -especially Graveheart- smirking inwardly at how Kingly Pyrus was acting and relaxing when they realised he brought it out as a point to show he was fully investing himself, as he had been wanting to for a long time and second-guessing himself as much as Graveheart had throughout the entire war with the Beast.
"Approximately two months." Tekla offered, Capacitor nodding and sat forward slightly. Jade had since relaxed herself, though yet only slightly, brows still knit together in a frown as she sat back with her arms crossed.
"We were also working on a portable and self-repairing shield that can absorb and reallocate null energy, or any energy really, to help protect the alliance as a whole. The shield emitters are having some issues with calibrating on a larger network, but I am confident we can have something tangible to show in a week." Cryos and Sternum raised brows at this.
"Like the shields in use for the Ahr'aht capital ships? How long have you been working on this?" Cryos voiced, Capacitor smirking and Tekla laughing lightly.
"We came up with it when we told our people about the attack. Someone mentioned that there are drone units used to construct buildings on the planet-side that can also generate shields to protect workers if anything falls on them, like when Samateus shielded that Rockian family." Tekla smiled, glad to be of use again on a broader spectrum. Xerxes relaxed at this, crouching to curl his tail under him akin to the coils of a snake in lieu of a chair. Samateus snickered lightly, shaking her head.
"Only those drones do so automatically, to protect themselves as well as those below. But I like your idea, way more than putting myself and my kin between anything and civilians." Samateus' implied joke lightened the dark mood of the room, Xerxes relaxing gradually yet still appeared ready to rip into anything that got in his way, his back arms twitching lighly every so often and flashing the massive talons there showing his unease. Pyrus took in a deep breath, nodding as he turned to the others.
"I mean no disrespect, but I need to be with my people, overseeing this Martial Law enactment and might not be able to leave anytime soon. Not without potentially causing a stir amongst those who are left."
"We know Pyrus, and you know how to reach us if you need anything." Graveheart smiled lightly, briefly meeting Xerxes' gaze and asking a question in his head. Xerxes' own head shot up and he had to be mindful not to knock himself in the head on the ceiling, the rest jumping at his display as he grinned toothily and nodded. Before anything could be said, Graveheart stood, pulled something from his pocket and moved to kneel next to Jade, her eyes going wide.
"You aren't-" Jade blushed furiously and straightened up in her chair.
"I am." Graveheart smirked, grinning lightly up at her as he opened the box to reveal a brilliant silver ring with a single bright blue stone atop it. Zera barely held her shriek of realization at what was going on, Pyrus chuckling himself and glad for the distraction from the fact he would almost be stepping back from the alliance for some time as he returned the Obsidian Blade to his side. Graveheart chuckled himself, able to tell Jade was beyond flabberghasted by his dropping this on her now. Pelvus watched almost longingly, blushing himself when he met Zera's gaze and smirking slyly when she winked at him.
"I... Yes, Graveheart, I'm just surprised it took you this long." Jade admonished playfully, holding her left hand out so he could slip the ring onto the finger on which a wedding band would soon join it. Admiring the engagement ring as the group soon gladly changed the subject from plans for the Firian people, to a wedding, Jade smirked happily to herself. Graveheart put aside the now empty box and stood as Jade did and happily caught him up in a hug and the two shared their first engagement kiss, the others applauding lightly and soon rising to congratulate the two more closely. Pyrus, sitting next to Xerxes and the only one who had yet to move, held a smile, yet Xerxes and Samateus could both tell he remained thinking on his people, the two sharing a glance. She soon snorted lightly at him and moved to the rest as he turned to Pyrus, lowering his head down to meet his gaze.
**We can go, if you're wanting to get started on this address. I've cleared my calendar and anything else needed of me will be directed to Sairyllia and Khilseith for the forseeable future, so I can be available to you and the rest. More for you, of course. I know more than I should of the Firian society and politics, hence why I've made myself available to you.** Xerxes explained, pausing and smirking when the disk he had brought disappeared and was replaced by another inhaler he quickly reached over and retrieved before putting it away where he kept the case with Samateus' spare scale-stones.
**Thank you, it does help a lot, knowing I have someone else who understands what is expected of me...** Pyrus responded cautiously, moving to stand and reattach the Obsidian Blade to his belt. **I'm glad Graveheart finally asked Jade to marry him, that'll keep their attentions off worrying about me.**
**They'll still worry, though will probably ask me how you're faring later. I'll be a little better mannered with them than Coal was, though I do miss him and your Father. Nonetheless, shall we take your ship or teleport back?** Xerxes asked, waiting for Pyrus to move around his chair before cautiously uncoiling himself and standing. Pyrus noticed then Xerxes moved almost overcautiously, almost limping slightly on his right.
"Oh, that. Old injury. Not related to anything from my time on Fire or Ice, I promise." Xerxes explained, having noticed Pyrus' concern, switching to verbal speech and layering a slight purr under it while offering a smile. Pyrus nodded, meeting Gravehearts gaze a moment. Graveheart raised a brow, smiling knowingly and nodded, already surmising that the two would disappear back to the Battle Moon to begin working on Pyrus' address. Zera caught this, turning and lightly waving, Pyrus returning it before he turned back to Xerxes.
"I don't think I could focus on flying right now, as much as I want to." Pyrus' admission further softened Xerxes' expression, nodding simply before the two were whisked away to the Firian Palace. Jade caught the flash of light, smirking lightly as she looked to Graveheart, Sternum and Cryos shaking their heads lightly at the lack of comment from the two before they disappeared. Cryos knew it would be hard on the both of them, for vastly differing reasons, Samateus gently reassuring him they would be fine and nothing would need to be addressed by the alliance formally for at least a week.
Blaze returned to the palace throne room following the first dispatching of Militarized patrols, Flare taking over as Igneous Overseer formally after the briefing. At first a few members of the Igneous guard voiced their concern at enacting Martial Law, thinking that Blaze was attempting to do what had been done before, only this time using Pyrus' own people against him. Flare had stepped in then, shooting down the concerns almost angrily as he informed them that the Martial Law had been enacted by Pyrus himself, a formal address to be made later once he had spoken with the other alliance leaders. Those who had spoken out accepted this, begrudgingly, and had been among the first set of rotating patrols to begin through every ring and floor to supplement the skeleton crew of Rockian military and technicians still haunting some of the inner floors.
Flare had reassured him he could monitor the patrol groups and comms chatter after a few hours, able to tell his father needed a break to eat something, and perhaps just needing to be away from the populace. Blaze worried Flare might need the same, after losing seven who were very close to him, the younger male reassuring his father he would be alright, that he would grieve on his own later, or at the public address to show solidarity for Pyrus. Blaze then withdrew a case that had a single bronze badge in it, which he pinned to Flare's left upper chest armour without his son noticing at first.
That badge, emblazoned with the Firian royal family crest, denoted Flare as second only to the General amongst the Military, Flare promptly saluting his father in thanks, knowing nothing needed to be said. Blaze startled as he came out of his thoughts of earlier, having walked into the throne room and almost collided with Xerxes, who quickly lay a hand on his shoulder to steady him.
"I wasn't aware you had returned, where is-" Blaze stopped when Xerxes shifted his long sinewy body aside, revealing Pyrus sitting in his throne, data padd in one hand and going over a draft of the address he would make publicly, likely tomorrow morning as it was already quite late in the afternoon.
"I'm here Blaze, just thinking." Pyrus barely moved, shifting to look at Blaze out of the corner of one eye before he returned to reading over and editing the document before him. Xerxes lightly shook himself, feathers ruffling lightly as he explained that, other than needing at least a month or even two before anything concrete could be attempted with terraforming a planet for the Firians, that Graveheart had finally proposed to Jade. Blaze lightly chuckled, the two conversing quietly to let Pyrus focus.
"I was wondering when he would finally ask her. Those two were posturing for years, from what I understood." Blaze smirked, shaking his head lightly.
"Indeed, the two had quite the tension despite being so close. At least they can focus on that and keep the others occupied. Making a spectacle of this will help solidify the alliance for all races, and distract the general public. How are you and Flare faring?" Xerxes asked, genuinely concerned for the General's son after having been so close to death himself.
"He does appear to have a great deal of his Mother's strength, in dealing with death as well as he is. I've given him Overseer status, I hope it will help him distract his mind until he can get some rest." Blaze sighed, frowning briefly as he mentioned his late wife. "I was going to get something to eat quickly before I return to ensure the next rotation goes well and let him take a break himself, I wasn't expecting you two to return so quickly."
"The others were occupied with Graveheart and Jade becoming engaged, I could tell he needed to get this done so he could relax as well. A lot like Magmus, but I see so much of Amber in him too it's almost painful." Xerxes' admission meant more between the two of them, the secret they kept to themselves adding further weight that Blaze could only sigh and nod at.
"Agreed, if you need me, Samateus can always reach out." Blaze bid Xerxes farewell, the two sharing a bow before Blaze departed the room to the dining area elswhere. Xerxes fluffed his feathers and shook himself again lightly, idly eyeing the vault nearby before moving to curl up near Pyrus, but far enough away to give him space. After a few minutes, or so he assumed, Pyrus moved to stand, Xerxes jolting slightly as though he had been lightly asleep, meditating quietly while Pyrus went over the draft of his address.
"Didn't mean to spook you, I need a break from this, but it looks alright to me so far. Mind having a look while I go grab something to eat?" Pyrus asked, offering the padd to him. Xerxes gingerly took it, nodding and purring lightly, now aware that he had been sitting for a few hours as confirmed by the time readout in a corner of the screen.
"Gladly, and no need to get me anything, I'll eat later after you head to sleep and Sairyllia looks me over." Xerxes smiled, keeping the purr going under his speech as he began reading over the document. Pyrus lingered a moment, chuckling and shaking his head lightly at the strange dynamic Xerxes had with Sairyllia and Samateus, heading off to the small cantina in the palace, seeing Flare munching on some lichen and smirking at what he was reading on a data padd. Pyrus collected himself a bowl and moved to sit with his childhood friend, and now secondary military commander, Flare smirking and setting it aside as he swallowed his mouthful.
"Finally happy with your speech?" Flare grinned, Pyrus rolling his eyes but smirking anyway.
"Not really, it feels so... Hollow. Xerxes is a welcome help though, Graveheart finally proposed to Jade, so they and the rest are occupied there." Flare nodded at Pyrus, motioning for him to continue as he took another mouthful of lichen. "I think he fell asleep for a minute waiting for me. I know he said he had cleared his calendar and whatnot, but I just feel... I don't know, like he is lingering around me for a reason, it's weird."
"He and my father have something between them, I know for a fact. He wont even tell me, because of an order from your dad." Flare's admission made Pyrus' frown deepen as he also chewed a mouthful thoughtfully, shaking his head lightly before he motioned to Flare's data padd and Flare chuckled. "Just reading the letter from my friend on Ice. Said she was one of the guards on duty when Frost and Rysint tried to stage a coup. She saw I tried to reach out when she was able to return to her apartment, sent this instead of bothering me because she knew about the attack on Rock and then the moon."
"Who is she? I've not seen any female Iceans amongst their military." Pyrus asked, raising a brow before continuing to eat, having forgotten to eat that morning and realised now he was ravenous.
"Her name is Virian, which she explained is because she has green eyes. You might not realise it looking at them, but they have females in almost equal number to the males amongst the military. She's only seventeen, but she can fight better than I expected. I never thought I'd be pinned by a female, but she managed to sweep my legs out from under me in a duel." Pyrus smirked and raised a brow at his explanation, snickering at the image of a female Icean standing over Flare flat on his back. "You laugh, but just wait, Zera will get her height and then you'll be in just the same position as I was if you duel her." Flare's smirk as he went back to eating showed Pyrus he was serious but also playful about it, leading Pyrus to wonder just how much he did not yet know about the Iceans as a whole. The distant expression that crossed his face afterward would have concerned most, however Flare knew that look, it was more questioning of his own knowledge than anything else.
"I was pretty surprised that some Icean females start training to use blades and staves quite young, around ten. I suppose as a princess Zera wasn't really offered that." Flare mused, Pyrus smirking and swallowing his mouthful before chuckling himself.
"Or, her teachers got annoyed and quit. She's a handful, I wish I could have shown her more, but Jade and Sternum were training with her last I heard."
"Well, I can't say either way, but Viri stated here that Zera's great-grandmother was mentioned at the address. Something about a diadem that had been lost and just recently returned to them."
"Viri? Just how close are you two?" Pyrus grinned playfully, Flare blushing and his ear-spines going flat, making Pyrus laugh even more.
"I'd say we're good friends, like you and Zera." Flare jabbed right back, seeing the slight blush and smirk from Pyrus in response, before continuing. "She came here once, as part of a walkthrough and extended learning program about a year ago. I got the job of showing her around, explaining how our people have managed to continue to live as we have, so we got kinda close. She mentions here she might express interest in mentoring the Princess, helping train her in their combat styles. Might be something to think on, learning about the combat tactics of the others."
"Careful, you sound like your dad." Pyrus grinned, Flare simply laughing as they both went back to eating.