Our Maternal Star.

Alpha Timeline

Vostiana Citadel – Production Bay 45

NGF Vanguard V

The last century of Norian history had been marked by developments that far exceeded the expectations of even the nation’s biggest dreamers. Thanks to the information provided by Aester Teal Daithilus, along with information recovered from the failed attempts of Curunir Nightbane to create a chronometric drive, the possibility of time travel became an accepted, but highly restricted reality. The confirmed existance of threads of severed time outside of what was referred to as the ‘Alpha Timeline’ brought validity to the claims of the Aester that the course of time itself would need to be changed either to stop the end of all threads connected to the Unyian Spiral.

Minor changes within the timestream were shown to yeild effects within others, for example Teal’s interruption of the meeting which had placed the Federation in the Chaos Hive War at Ayenee, it had stopped what would of been an era of war and made possible for advances that facilitated heavy advancements in scientific, propulsion and sensor technology.

The Chronometric Drive was a marvel, reminicent of the first advances in FTL technology it was heralded as a change in direction. It created ways for authorized members of the navy to go into other timelines and observe events under the guidelines of the Temporal Observance Act, actual manipulation of the stream was reserved for those who would come to work directly with the Daithilus as they tried to not only save their timeline, but to fix time itself to allow for a unified future.  The NGF Vanguard V, the fifth vessel to carry the Vanguard name would become the first vessel to recieve the new “Nami” or wave style of chronometric drive.

The command loading umbellical for the Vanguard was filled with members of the press, cameras flashed and reporters shouted over one another trying to get some kind of answer as to what the heavily classified mission of the timeship would be. Adrin took a deep breath as he walked through the airlock and into the lobby area that was before the umbellical. It was a mad house, the Prince had to hold himself back from actually cussing as he was almost shoved before the Acidian Order detail entered after him. He wore his typical Federation uniform, black with dark red panels indicating he was a Flag Officer, the decorative appaulets on his shoulders with platinum bars indicated he was a member of the Daithilus family.

“Get these damn people under control!” Adrin shouted, knowing that his mother and her escort detail were next through. “We have a damn mission to run, we don’t need you bumbling fools blocking the way. There has been enough press conferences!” Adrin was agitated, his hand pushing back through the white threads of his hair as he tried to make sense of it all. After he nearly got bumped a second time, he finally lost it. He pulled the QPP from it’s holster and fired a shot straight up at the bulkhead, causing a loud explisve discharge to erupt and dissipate into the metal. “I said get yourselves together!”

Adrin was used to life in the stars, he had served in several campaigns all of which brought him a level of fame and priestiege. It would be the first time since training however that he would sit second chair. He had become enthused of the stories his mother had told, the mention of this other him and this other world. It seemed like a dream almost to be assigned to the Vanguard and to be part of the mission that could possibly save not just their own people but the entire Spiral in all of it’s alternate forms.

*

The Aester and her escort were making their way from her chambers on a lower deck up to the command loading umbellical for the Vanguard.  Teal was well aware that the press would be present and in greater numbers than usual.  What she had hoped was that she would be the first in attendance, since she knew full well that the rowdy and boisterous behavior of the media scrum may well set off her son into one of his…temper tantrums.  Not that she could blame him really; they were extremely annoying at the best of times, and she herself found it difficult to suppress the urge to bundle the lot into an airlock and press the release button.

As she tried to quicken her pace, she found that the long floor length edges of her gown were catching up on her shoes, and she found herself reaching for a section of her silken skirt, to lift it partially to help her from tripping.  The escorts found themselves also having to hurry along behind her; their fancy hair ornaments jingling as they tried to keep up with the diminutive Aester.

Turning another bend, with only a matter of a hundred metres or so to go, there was an almighty explosion, that that was followed with a very angry shout.

“Oh..no..”  The Aester said under her breath, and she really picked up pace, breaking into a run.  Not the normal behavior for a Monarch, but she knew if she didn’t hurry up, that there was bound to be a few casualties from this press meeting.  That was the last thing she needed at this point in time.

Finally reaching the entrance outside, Teal came to an abrupt halt and patted her hair, whilst smoothing down her gown, with her free hand.  The escorts were out of breath, both with a rosy blush appearing on their cheeks.  Feeling that she was now presentable, Aester Teal raised her chin and released her skirts, letting them flow upon the floor, as she glided into the room, with the mannerisms that had come to define her as the Matriarch of the Daithilus family.

First thing she saw, was the damage to the bulkhead above.  Her green hued eyes glancing upward for a few moments, before settling back down upon the gathered mass of reporters, cameramen and sound operators.  Aester Teal put on her public face, showing little emotion towards the press, but simply made her way through towards the main chair, that was allocated for the Head of the Family.  Seeing her son, Adrin had taken his place as second chair, she gave him a sly wink, as she ascended the two steps and turned around, seating herself down at his side.  As the press took their seats, she leaned over towards her son, reaching for his hand, and under her breath, she said softly;

“Been redecorating?”  Not trying to make fun of him, for shooting the bulkhead, but hopefully to get him to smile at her.  A sideways glance at the press, then back to her son, she smirked and said; “Think of this..as feeding chickens.  Give them just enough till they are satisfied, then lop off the heads of the ones that annoy you most.”  A quick pat of the hand and she sat up regally, and waited for the conference to begin.

*

Adrin chuckled as his mother grabbed his hand, he leaned over an kissed her cheek saying quietly, “I was going for the abstract art look, but apparently that bulkhead is only a few meters thick and it would be a shame to have to beat Severce’s record for dead reporters.” This kind of show, the nessesity to smile and be prodded at by morons with cameras was something that he believed was best held on the surface, but regardless he leaned back in his chair and prepared for the rambles of so called expert media people.

“Aester Teal, how does it feel to be commanding your first starship?” One of the reporters yelled. Adrin had to reserve the urge to pull off one of his boots and throw it at the reporter’s head.  The question was in his opinion depreciative, ignorant to the service his mother had put into the Federation.  ‘I hope they load that cargo bay quickly…’ he thought to himself, knowing they were only waiting for a few more frieghters to drop their goods on the Vanguard.  In truth, he didn’t much mind the prospects of being First Officer for this mission — hopefully it would give him a chance to see more.

While Severce and Arethon had both jumped at the chance at Deep Space assignments, Adrin had focused himself on his tasks as heir, familiarizing himself with the duties of politics, and while his military experience had been extensive he had not really ventured far from the homestead. It was a far cry from the brutal, war branded man in the Delata Timeline – It would be hard to tell which was superior to the other, at the same time Adrin had experienced much that his counterpart had not – The scene within the other time would have just a vacant chair to his right.

*

With the flashes of cameras, the winding and clicking would give way to the first question to be asked, and it was directed to the Aester.  “Aester Teal, how does it feel to be commanding your first starship?” A gaggle of murmured voices followed this, and Teal wet her lips before answering, all the while keeping a hand upon her son’s.

“I think the question you should be asking, is how does it feel to command a ship alongside your son.” Her green eyes glistened as he would feel her fingers curl around his hand.  “I could be bold, and say…yes its just another starship, and rattle off how marvelous it all is.  But in truth, no one, would do a finer job, than my son, and of course his Father.  I am honored to be commanding this ship.  May this be the first of many voyagers of discovery.”

Content that her answer was fair, she raised her head towards the gallery and asked;

“Next question…and please remember we are on a tight schedule.”

*

The reporters broke into incohesive babble following Teal’s answers. Adrin just shook his head. Sure enough the bullshit that followed the first round of questions ended with a microphone being shoved in his face along with a question he didn’t care for. “You gave up a Fleet Command Position to go on this mission. What are your plans for the future? Are you seeing anyone?” Adrin wished he had shot the reporters, he looked over at his mother his gaze intensified as he narrowed his eyes.

Adrin stood up from the chair, “Well since it seems you are all out of -sensible- questions. It is time we got to the mission at hand. Thank you – you can return home now, or to anywhere where I don’t have to see you.” He knew that it was futile, the nagging would continue until they were onboard the Vanguard. ‘Lets get the hell out of here…’ he whispered through the telepathic link with his mother.

*

With the microphone practically rammed into Adrin’s face and the bawdy questioning that followed, Aester Teal raised a well shaped brow sharply.  ~Oh they wouldn’t stoop that low, would they?~ she thought to herself.  But, they did.  Knowing full well what the consequences of such questions would be, namely her son, Adrin losing the ability to keep himself in check, the Aester decided to play an ace in her deck.  Recognizing the reporter from another gallery meeting, she had her network do back ground checks on their nocturnal behaviors which would prove to come in rather handy at this point in time.  The Empress tutted softly, and this would get the attention of the reporter in question.  “I have a question myself.  How is that pretty young thing you were man handling in the lounge on board that ship…now where was that exactly…”-she tapped her lip a few times, as the cameras all turned upon the reporter and he suddenly started to stutter.  “I..I…well…uhm..”  Naturally, he was married, and this surely would not look good being broadcast live.  Grinning broadly, the Aester rose from her chair, to follow her son, who had taken the lead.

 ”Well since it seems you are all out of -sensible- questions. It is time we got to the mission at hand. Thank you.”

 The press gallery now had a new scandal happening right before them with one of their own, and this was when Teal heard her son speak to her telepathically, that they should get the hell out of there.  “Right behind you, Son.” She replied.  Aester Teal took up her skirts and descended the two steps, being followed naturally by her escort, and with Adrin, they headed out of the packed meeting, and onward to their appointed schedule, on board the Vanguard.

 *

As Adrin passed the reporter that his mother had sent into a personal frenzy, he said encouragingly. “I hear the Federation is looking for able body single men for deep space assignments. The treasurey can send alimony just about anywhere these days.” The two had completely wrecked the reporter, and hopefully it was something that was remembered. Adrin smiled widely as the cameras blasted, shot after shot right up to the point that they entered the umbellical leading to the Vanguard.

Once they had cleared the first section separator, Adrin seemed to relax a bit. “Thanks..” he said quietly. He was not one for dragging his personal life out into the open. He knew however if he was ever going to be Aestaesys that eventually they would become even more of a problem. “So, you’re going to keep wearing those skirts?” He asked, wondering why his mother had not decided to wear the command uniform. “I did arrange a uniform for you…” he thought it was a bit weird, but then again she was always colorful. The other officers were rather quiet, it was the typical pre-mission tension and Adrin was always trying to shake.

The powerful Venia-Class battleship was a marvel of construction, it’s massive bird-like frame had a menicing look, sleek curves and carefully placed structure completed both form and function. Adrin was the commanding officer of the first three vessels to carry the ship’s name, he couldn’t help but feel a bit proud that his mother would be among the names listed after his to carry on the Vanguard’s legacy.

*

The flock had taken the bait.  The preverbial worm thrown out and naturally the press scattered giving Adrin and Aester Teal the perfect opportunity to take flight from the melee.  With quick wit and logic, they completely derailed the conference and it was when they had gotten out of earshot, that both were able to relax, as they made their way past the first section separator   It was clear, that Adrin was indebted to his Mother for helping him avoid the questions into his personal life.  “What are mothers for?” She replied candidly.  Teal knew full well that Adrin was a deeply private person and the last thing he needed was to have his status displayed for all to see.  Content that the conference went well, she shrugged her shoulders and then found herself under the critical eye of her son.

“So, you’re going to keep wearing those skirts?”  Well, that was a good one.  Teal had always been keen of showing off her feminine side, and not only that they were fun to wear just not very practical.  “I may well be commanding this mission, but I am still a lady.”  She teased, knowing full well that a command uniform had been laid out for her.  She chuckled softly as they continued to walk along together.  “The press like a bit of pomp and ceremony, so I like to appease.  But, you are right.  This is a bit silly for the command deck. You go on ahead, and I will take these two..”  she motioned her head back to her escorts, who were a little out of place for going to the deck.  “and go slip into the proper attire.  Be five minutes tops.”

Leaving her son, she scooted off at speed, the poor escorts having to chase after her once again.  Seriously, they found it difficult in their heels.  In the blink of an eye, and not five minutes later Teal arrived on her own, up at the Command deck, dressed in her full command uniform, which certainly was nowhere near as bulky as that of her ceremonial gown.  Her hair was swept up into a tight plait, that had a golden cone holding her hair in place.  Her makeup was not as severe as earlier, and she certainly fitted into the scene much better.

The officers on duty were all at their stations, going about the pre flight checks as Aester Teal strode past them and headed up to the command chair, certain her Son would be there first.  As always as it had been when she had flown with Falcon, Teal got that same anxious feeling, like a gathering of butterflies in her stomach.  Nerves possibly.  Aester Teal kept a trained eye on her son, proud of him at this moment, and she took her place in the command chair.  Her slender hands ran over the arm rests and she closed her eyes but for a moment, and saw her darling Falcon doing much the same in another time.  Eyes opening, and she gazes up at her son, who is so much like his Father.  The hopes of many rested with him.

“Commence the countdown..”

*