Lei-Xulla – Dread Prism Xaxon IV – Pi Cantoris Nebula – Aurelius Branch level 501 – 999
The rhomboid hung suspended against the nebula's backdrop as Lei-Xulla utilized her sphere of perception with one of her minds, to trace its angular and formidable dimensions.
While that mind continued to undertake the scheduled structural integrity check of the vessel, Lei-Xulla’s physical shell sat comfortably in the prime pinnacle of the Dread Prism Xaxon IV, which served as its bridge. Leaving another of her minds the freedom to scan the vista before her, drinking in the nebula’s ominous splendor in relative comfort.
Her third mind however, was unfortunately entrenched in the duties required of her as the Vice Chief of Operations of The Trade Amalgamation.
Most of what she was required to do for the impressive job title was not much more than an exercise box ticking, largely owing to the fact that those under her were supposed to have ironed out the finer details already.
So as she reviewed the list of prospective Phase 1 planets to send Mercenary Party’s to, Lei-Xulla was more than a little peeved to be interrupted by the bane of her existence on this most auspicious expedition, for which she had liquidated considerable favors to land a slot on.
“Lei my Pel-tar-anium blossom, would you pleaaaase help me review these results for the long range scan?”
Wincing at the form of address, she ground her teeth whilst a mind endeavored to answer in a way that would not earn a black mark on the official records for insubordination.
“Commander Fhan, I must respectfully decline as I’m currently in the middle of carrying out the structural integrity check.”
Letting out a protracted sigh, Fhan’Del’Gu, the Commander of the Amalgamations costly expedition into the Aurelius Branch of the Pi Cantoris Nebula, orange skinned visage took on a pouting expression, before he countered.
“Lei I must confess that I do not have as many points in Intelligence or Wisdom than your effervescent self. While primarily investing dexterity does give me certain ‘advantages’…being as intelligent and inscrutable as an ethereal flower such as yourself, is unfortunately is not one of them.”
Turning to face him and barely keeping the disgust at his poor attempt at flattery from her face, she pondered the repercussions of casting a [Greater Mind Spike] on the unctuous Vice Chief of Reconnaissance of The Trade Amalgamation.
A mind harrumphed internally when it came to the conclusion that the costs outstripped the momentary benefits, if only by the slimmest margins.
Regrettably, she had long been used to the unwanted advances of others.
And while initially it had been from younglings of a similar age, after she had finished her rite of passage on Dori-Sor-Del, the Phase 2 world of her birth, the older clan member’s advances began.
Lei-Xulla had been a rising star, having had an Uncommon class at birth, and been instructed by many of the clans mentors in various forms combat before her 10th orbit had even begun. Her life-givers had sought to use her obvious potential and budding beauty to raise their own standing within the clan by way of attempting to set up an early union. So naturally, by her 17th orbit her life-givers had all but shackled her to Scion Kel-Inul, a male some 10 orbits her senior from house Jop-Svel.
Wanting no part in her life-givers designs, as the cycles went by, Lei-Xulla set about making a name for herself as a competent Mercenary before her 20th spawn-day. And after accruing a hefty amount of Manamotes to her ledger, unbeknownst to her life-givers, she managed to land a spot in an expedition to a Siphon World that The Trade Amalgamation oversaw.
Ever since exiting the teleportation ring, divesting herself of her clans hangers on and forming her own Party, she had vowed never to bend or be shackled to a partner who wanted to subjugate or own her like property ever again.
Yet as a mind considered an appropriate response to ‘Commander’ Fhan, Lei-Xulla wondered if she had not made a slight error when applying to be on this particular Void Expedition.
Certainly, her personal power was one of the most formidable in the Amalgamation, and to many she was considered a deity. However there were depressingly few opportunities for people of her prodigious level, to advance in any meaningful way. And so she was stuck for the duration of the Void Expedition having to diplomatically rebuff the orange skinned Huj’Del’s thinly veiled excuses to be closer to her.
So as she turned to her ‘Commander’ and her mind replied in a level and near emotionless voice.
“Very well Commander, if you would be kind enough to send the sensor results to my station?”
She took some moderate consolation when Fhan’s face fell before he rejoined in crestfallen manner.
“Why must you make things so formal Lei? You shouldn’t be intimidated by my rank on the ship! You should feel comfortable coming to my station and reading the results from MY console!”
As a mind proverbially ground her teeth at her dwindling reserves of self-control, another mind forced out in the most neutral tone she could manage.
“I’m afraid I must insist Commander.”
Releasing a defeated sigh he responded.
“Very well Vice Commander Lei…sending the results now…”
There were audible sniggers from the two other crew present as her station chimed and the holographic display blinked in the bottom corner with an orange transmission icon.
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Ignoring her subordinate’s merriment and opening the results with a twitch of her finger, she supplied in a business like tone.
“Thank you Commander, reviewing them now.”
When she had finished reviewing the sensor results she was frankly confused as to their meaning. What showed on the now expanded holo-display was the familiar space scape of the nebula. However there was the addition of an unknown planetary body moving through it, where none should be.
In preparation for this Expedition, she had familiarized herself with all the sub-sectors of the Aurelius Branch Nebula. According to her flawless memories there were no planets, large asteroids or anything with a similar mass readout, period. More curious still was that, although it was still some sub-sectors removed from their position, its current trajectory suggested it had come from a recently collapsed dwarf star.
The planetoid was far from a threat to them, given the transit capabilities of the Dread Prism, so she filed it away as an unexplained anomaly. Marking possible targets for engagement in her itemized report she cleared her throat and announced to the pinnacles occupants, “Commander I have reviewed the sensor data and could find no hostiles within immediate or intermediate range. I have marked the targets of potential at maximum range for your consideration.”
Looking nonplussed Fhan responded.
“Thank you for your hard work Vice Commander, I will do as you suggest. Any chance you can join me in my quarters after your watch is over to discuss ‘strategy’?”
All too familiar with this request she replied flatly.
“I’m afraid I still have a sizeable amount of work for my role as Vice Chief of Operations…Commander..”
Another round of sniggering was released from Ships Armaments Petty officer Jah-Da and Ships Head Engineer Scol’Es’Tan.
Taking on an almost wistful tone as he as he all but ignored the pair, he pulled up his holo-display, and rejoined.
“Would that our subordinates on the Expedition had your work ethic my dear Lei.”
When their mirth cut off she noted he wore a self-satisfied smirk.
Having freed herself once more from potential insubordination she turned her minds back to checking the Dread Prisms integrity, basking in the splendor of the nebula and reviewing the list of prospective unclaimed Phase 1 worlds to send sub level 99 Mercenary Party’s to for setting up a beachhead of operations.
Flicking through the hundreds of candidates, Lei-Xulla was looking for ones that would net the Amalgamation the most profits whilst providing ease of access. This in turn would hopefully further her promotion chances for the future. Having held her current job title for some 142 cycles she was beginning to grow weary of its requirements and lack of personal freedoms.
Being Vice Chief of Operations for the Amalgamation was certainly at the pinnacle of upper middle management in the Faction. However she yearned for the days when all she had to do was hunt monsters, find a bearable short term partner and relax in her down time.
So faced with either resigning from her position or taking a role that enabled her to delegate all her duties, she opted for the latter.
Turning the wandering mind back to the task, she ruled out ones with larger life forms for Elevants as they tended to be both robust and lethal when introduced to the benefits of elevation. Her ears flicked in thought as she opted to try more restrictive parameters.
Further narrowing the search criteria Lei-Xulla selected planets with semi-common gasses for atmosphere. Following this she added nominal temperature range and finally amended a reasonable day/night cycle for good measure.
The list of seven potentials definitely held promise as she reviewed them on her holo-display:
>Laconis II
– Average Atmosphere: Nitrogen 60%, Oxygen 19%, Other 21%
– Average temperature: 39 Degrees
– Average Day/Night Cycle: 14hrs/11hrs
>Ort’uss
– Average Atmosphere: Nitrogen 67%, Oxygen 22%, Other 11%
– Average temperature: 30 Degrees
– Average Day/Night Cycle: 10hrs/17hrs
>Jiu-Ti
– Average Atmosphere: Nitrogen 69%, Oxygen 18%, Other 13%
– Average temperature: 21 Degrees
– Average Day/Night Cycle: 18hrs/9hrs
>Iktul IV
– Average Atmosphere: Nitrogen 62%, Oxygen 24%, Other 14%
– Average temperature: 25 Degrees
– Average Day/Night Cycle: 13hrs/13hrs
>Kam-Pai
– Average Atmosphere: Nitrogen 63%, Oxygen 20%, Other 17%
– Average temperature: 29 Degrees
– Average Day/Night Cycle: 17hrs/14hrs
>Earth
– Average Atmosphere: Nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 20%, Other 2%
– Average temperature: 24 Degrees
– Average Day/Night Cycle: 16hrs/8hrs
>Elod’ime
– Average Atmosphere: Nitrogen 62%, Oxygen 22%, Other 16%
– Average temperature: 32 Degrees
– Average Day/Night Cycle: 14hrs/13hrs
Only having enough Mercenary Party’s to successfully subjugate three Phase 1 worlds. She certainly could diversify further by insert into fewer Siphon’s, but based off of previous data, that would reduce the overall success rate drastically.
She entertained the idea of enlisting a Far-sight based class, but those would have to be from a Phase 2 world and would require a substantial amount of Manamotes. More importantly, doing so would require The Chief of Operations Waq’Gep’Si’s verbal and written agreement.
Wanting not to tarnish her impeccable reputation with cautious incompetence, Lei-Xulla discarded the idea out of hand. Deciding instead to leave it to the near unmodifiable Luck attribute, she elected to select randomly. After closing her eyes and pointing arbitrarily at the holo-display she opened them to find the choices of ‘Ort’uss’, ‘Jui-Ti’ and finally ‘Earth’ highlighted.
That settled she sent off the information to Amalgamation HQ and settled in for the rest of her watch while the mind pulled up 4th ordination, 2nd inclination Phase 2 Siphon world Party rosters. Proceeding with her work in an attempt to ignore the poorly disguised looks of longing Commander Fhan’Del’Gu, Vice Chief of Reconnaissance kept sending her way.