On Dakora-7.
The atmosphere was electric. Everyone waited with a mix of impatience and anxiety for the arrival of Captain Guerra and the representatives of this new power, Bastion. The frigate, with technology so advanced it seemed straight out of humanity's Golden Age, settled smoothly onto the Governor's spire landing platform. For many lords, an alliance with Bastion meant access to lost technologies, a leap forward for their military and spatial power. Hope outweighed wariness.
The ramp lowered in near-religious silence. Captain Guerra descended, her dress armor immaculate. Her stride was calm, assured, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Behind her, the escort was revealed: two cloned Sisters of Silence, their black armor absorbing light and their presence creating a palpable psychic void; four Ghosts, invisible a moment before briefly materializing, their sleek silhouettes and impulse rifles held ready; and two heavy soldiers in CMC armor, their imposing metallic frames pounding the ground, their gatling guns idle but ready to roar.
The Governor's group, composed of lords in richly embroidered garments, couldn't suppress a shudder. Seeing such warriors up close was a chilling demonstration of force. A war against Bastion would be suicide. Governor Garnus stepped forward, a diplomatic smile on his lips, to welcome his guests.
But Urek acted before him. A murmur of concern ran through the assembly. What was this fool doing? Could he not wait even a minute? Ignoring all protocol, Urek slipped through and planted himself in front of Captain Guerra, a sickly-sweet smile on his lips.
"I am Urek," he began in a voice he intended to be enchanting. "I'm the one who invited you, Captain Guerra."
The Captain ignored him completely. Without a glance, without a word, she passed him as if he were a piece of furniture, her escort moving in perfect sync. She finally stopped before Governor Garnus, who was still smiling, though his eyes had hardened.
"I am Captain Guerra of Bastion," she stated simply, her clear voice carrying in the silence.
The world seemed to stop turning. The insult was public, total, and stinging. Urek, whom no one on his planet had ever dared disrespect, had just been treated as less than nothing by a foreigner. A primitive, unhealthy anger immediately boiled within him, distorting his once-handsome features.
The Governor, mastering the situation with forced calm, replied, "I am Governor Garnus of Dakora-7, and I welcome you." A collective sigh of relief seemed to sweep through the present lords. The crisis was averted. Whispers resumed, commenting on their sovereign's restraint and tact.
But Urek was not finished. The humiliation was too sharp. He turned to face the assembly, his face flushed with rage.
"YOU! SLUT FROM THE SKIES! DON'T YOU SEE WHO I AM?!" he screamed, spittle flying from his lips.
The stupefaction was total. The whispers cut off abruptly. No one could believe what they were hearing.
Then, he added, pointing a trembling finger of fury at Guerra: "GUARDS! SEIZE THAT SLUT! AND THROW THE OTHERS IN PRISON!"
The shock turned into silent consternation. The order echoed in the air, absurd and suicidal.
But nobody moved.The palace guards, frozen in place, looked alternately at their Governor's son, screaming and frothing, and the impassive wall of steel formed by the Bastion warriors, whose weapons, without a sound, were now aimed directly at Urek. The silence that followed was heavier and more threatening than any scream in the world.