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Ignis
Chapter 33: In the Shadows of Vrenna

Chapter 33: In the Shadows of Vrenna

As the convoy slowly accelerates in system to Vrenna, the battle unfolds before its sensors. All you can do is sit in the Vestibule and listen to the second hand reports coming in over the open communications link from the bridge. You hope that an emergency Translation isn't required, but you keep updating that particular entry vector on a secondary display, your left hand tapping uneasily at the keys.

"There goes another one!"

"Scratch one 'Nid! Stray round or no, that's a few million fewer bugs we have to shoot!"

"WHOA! Scratch one Chaos fleet! Damned idiots walked right into that one!"

"Bridge to Navigator. Stand down. I repeat, Stand down. We've won this day."

"Navigator to bridge, understood. Standing down." You close that communications link and open another to your quarters. "Canala, can you send up that dress and cowl?"

"On my way Lady Dannan!"

"Thank you Canala." You close that communications link and sit back to wait. The Ignis will be stuck at Vrenna for a while, waiting to transport the Guardsmen back to their staging area when this little war is all wrapped up. If nothing else, it should give you plenty of 'off-duty' time to work with this Shaper Monat and Littleflame getting up to speed on what your new body can do.

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Three days later the ground war is well and truly underway. The Kukri is kept busy with the occasional round of gunnery practice for its bombardment cannon on surface targets, smashing open any position the Guard cares to name. Faunia is left cooling her heels and conducting drills on the crew, as is every other imperial ship in the fleet. You work with Canala on getting your paltry wardrobe fitted properly, wondering when the call will come from the Terra Incarnadine.

A week later, it comes. Tristan Von Sebastion puts out a fleet-wide message: all Shipmasters to report aboard the Terra Incarnadine for a fleet-wide conference. Attached to the Ignis' copy is a second message: All members of house Dannan to report aboard for a family conference. The wording is benign enough, a nomadic navigator house taking an opportunity to discuss internal matters. You board the waiting shuttle right behind Faunia for the trip over, Littleflame following behind under a heavy cloak to disguise its form.

After the disembarkation and welcoming ceremony aboard the Terra Incarnadine, Faunia heads off for the conference. You lead Littleflame to Aunt Yasha's quarters, utilizing your imposing stature and prominently displayed navigator's kerchief to clear the few crewmen you come across out of the hallway. They do so with alacrity, taking no note of Littleflame following along in your wake. You hope.

You find Aunt Yasha poring over some documents, intently studying something. She doesn't even look up as you enter. "Monat is in the sitting room, just off the dining room. I've some important work to do here, so I'll leave you to your own introductions."