"Leaving the warp in t minus one minute captain!" A console officer said. Good! Thought Savora. It will be nice to finally get out of the hell hole that is the warp! The ship itself with its defenses at least minimized the efforts of daemons to influence her and the crew. Still, during the night when she slept she heard their voices but being an Eldar she easily chased away the daemons out of her mind with her immense mental fortitude, but she silently wondered how many of these weak mon'keigh werent so lucky.
"Take us out of warp helmsman!" Adrian said, his stoic posture ever present and emitting an air of authority. Savora herself stood next to lord Bering who, for all his seemingly childish (at least in Savora's eyes) demeanor, was of great help to her. He helped her write her crew card, writing in her abilities and talents. Like most of human bureaucracy she found such record keeping only one step above pointless. The vox system echoed and informed the crew of the upcoming transition to real space. She exhaled and crossed her arms, pretending disinterest.
"Funny, I thought you might enjoy some dangerous excitement lady Savora." Bering said and she felt the teasing nature of her words. She responded coldly but took his game on.
"Its not funny but sad in fact that if I die when leaving the warp it will be because of human stupidity and there is nothing I can do about it." she informed him and he smirked. Suddenly a hole appeared on the screen as the daemons and the warp itself screamed, the hole getting bigger and bigger as the ship was pushed to real space. There was some turbulence but nothing too serious as far as Savora was concerned.
"WE DID IT!" The helmsman shouted and the crew burst into cheers. Heh... funny how mon'keigh celebrate their pathetic survival, thought Savora as she smirked and as the crew aboard the ship was informed of the success. The officers smirked, for the first time seemingly uncaring about her presence.
"Captain! The rest of the fleet is leaving the warp and are hailing us to be accounted for!" another officer said and Adrian nodded.
"Good! Are they all accounted for?" He asked. Savora rose her eyebrow once more. He did say his brother had a ship of his own but how large was his fleet?
"The raider and all three escorts are out of warp while the transport is just leaving." the officer responded and Savora took note. Adrian was mildly annoyed.
"That old thrash boat always lags and limps behind... and to think I criticized The pride of Terra for being too armored and too slow." he spoke as if to himself. "No matter, thanks to the runecaster we are here in twice the usual time and if my figures are correct there is minimal time loss, am I correct?" He asked and got a positive response. The door behind him screeched and Amanda entered. "Speaking of which. Good job miss Amanda." he said bowing slightly and causing Savora to roll her eyes. Adrian was smart in playing the act, for most foolish mon'keigh would actually believe he is humble. "We can always rely on you to get us through the warp safely." he said and the woman blushed, offering her thanks shyly.
"Sir! The Requiem system is hailing us!" a officer said and with a smirk Adrian responded.
"Patch them through." he said and the screen came to life in a form of a uniformed man.
"Unidentified ship! Identify yourself!" He commanded. Savora wondered how will Adrian respond to this arrogance, for she soaked in the knowledge of the Imperial system of governance and the... complex relationships within it. Of course they were nothing as elaborate as Eldar politics and intrigue so just minor adjustments had to be made to her calculations.
"Requiem port control!" Adrian said, not sternly but with control and professionalism. "This is rogue trader Adrian of house Gregorik! I am aboard the modified light cruiser The pride of Terra and I am accompanied by a raider, three escort vessels and one Carrack class transport, transmitting our registry numbers and markings as well as my warrant of trade now!" he declared and nodded to the consol officer who transmitted the data.
"Affirmative!" the man from the other side said and took a minute to register all the numbers. "Welcome to our system rogue trader! Forgive my harsh words from before. We are not used to visitors, at least not ones who bring a small armada with them." he spoke much more politely now.
"No apologies needed." Adrian responded stoically.
"Where would you like to go sir? There are 10 planets in our system and all are colonized as well as some moons. We offer a variety of planets and resorts for any and all guests! Or is your tripe more business orientated?" the man asked and Adrian smirked at him politely.
"Just point us to the planet Aegle, I have some meetings to attend which I hope will be profitable for both the sector and me." he said and the man on the other side smirked.
"I see!" he said happily. "Just follow the lane 9 and you will be there by the end of the day!" he said and transmitted the information to the ship. "Over and out!" he said and the communication was cut. With that Adrian turned and faced his officers and his brother amongst them.
"Well ladies and gentlemen, get ready and get dressed I will personally see if there is a... event for the nobles later today or at least tomorrow which we can attend..." he said and the people nodded, beginning to disperse as the crew began the arduous process of moving through real space towards their destination. Adrian turned to the Astropath. "Lucian, care to contact lady Gregorik?" he asked and Lucian nodded.
"Just how big is your fucking family?" Savora asked Bering with mild curiosity. The man smirked at her. "After the... wondrous conclusions you drew a few days ago I am surprised you didnt read through our family history as well." he said. She gave him a frown.
"Im getting to there, I have read most about your fleet, but who is this lady Gregorik?" she insisted.
"Our sister..." Bering said and Savora took note. "She commands a frigate... you will like her." he said and saw her frown deepen. "She didnt come to Commoragh with us, so she will come from a different approach and most likely meet us there, brother is contacting her as we speak." Savora was familiar with the concept of Astropaths. Of course they were nowhere near the Eldar telepathic might at the height of their Empire. Regardless, she exhaled and left the bridge, Bering surprisingly in tow.
"I have to chose what Im going to wear... so I doubt your help would be appreciated." she told him, her words elegant but poisonous. He cocked his eyebrow at her, seemingly surprised.
"I do not desire to barge in and look at your naked body..." he said and she shot him a evil glare. "Not that it wont be a pretty sight... But I wanted to tell you that my brother will try to arrange a ball and if successful it would require-" he explained but she cut him off knowing what he would say.
"That pairs come, couples of men and women." she concluded angrily.
"Correct." he said.
"And I suppose that if Adrian is successful you would like me to be your companion?" she asked, assuming a provocative pose. She had attended such events in Commoragh and she was almost certain that even with the few cloths Malverack was... kind... enough to give her she would still blow away anything those pesky human nobles had to offer... even if she was to tolerate this mon'keigh as her partner.
"You read me like a book!" he said cheerfully. "Just the thing is... Adrian wont allow you to leave the ship." he said and her eyes went wide.
"What?" she asked, trying to remain calm. Bering tried to soften the blow.
"He is afraid they will realize you are a xeno and well you know what that means for you and us." he said making a gesture with his finger across his throat, signalizing death.
"He is mistaken! He thinks these idiotic nobles can figure such a thing out!? If I was an ork they would need to double check!" she protested before assuming an arrogant pose. "Besides..." she said. "Just call me Lady Savora, a imperial noble of some far flung world where humans evolved differently." she said, baring herself regally and Bering smirked at her. To her pleasant surprise the doors screeched behind them and Adrian stepped out. The two were quick to greet him.
"Ah brother!" Bering said casually. "What did sister say?" he asked. Adrian remained emotionless as he spoke.
"She will be arriving in about 48 hours..." he explained.
"And the ball?" Bering asked with interest.
"has been arranged." Adrian responded, much to the grinning of his younger brother.
"In that case let me introduce you to my companion!" Bering said, pointing to Savora, who had her arms crossed and was leaning against the metal wall, pretending indiference.
"No!" Adrian said, turning his gaze away.
"Oh come on Adrian! Why did you buy her if you wont-" Bering protested but was cut off.
"I do not want to be burned at the stake little brother... not just yet." he explained and Savora exhaled.
"Look..." she began and Adrian looked at her, curious. "Adrian..." she spoke calmly and softly so that these mon'keigh can understand. "I understand that we Eldar are superior in many ways to humans, but we look similar, Ill put on makeup and you present me as a noble from a distant world where humans evolved differently..." she explained to him.
"its-risky." he was adamant.
"Oh and what? You will leave me at the bridge? Send me to the brig if I complain too much?" she asked him and before he could respond she continued. "You want me to advise you? Then let me talk to your opposition, let me talk to these nobles, I can hear, see and smell well. Not only that but my entire life in Commoragh was about twisting and turning peoples thoughts and feelings, I am expert at it." she said, further wavering the rogue trader. "Besides, better let me attend the ball than have one of your armsmen go and spread rumors that you harbor xenos..." she said and finally Adrian intervened.
"My warrant of trader allows me to harbor you... it is perfectly legal!" he protested but she continued.
"Oh really? Wouldnt it be better for you to show me and tell them Im human? that way those who do spread rumors can be shut down by simply saying they are jealous of my beauty!" she teased and Adrian had enough of it.
"FINE!" he boomed. He tried to conceal his excitement and nervousness beneath a cold diplomat's face, but Savora's eyes found his true feelings. "But if things co array, Ill say that you are harboring xeno's little brother, not me!" he said pointing to Bering who seemingly didnt care, before going away.