Victorine Elizabeth Ego dreaded meeting her brother after what had recently happened despite it not being her fault at all. The rebels had bombed the three Firebrand-Class Heavy Cruisers that were being built in a grounded dry dock in Luxequinox. Victorine had ordered a Vizer with expertise in finance to calculate the losses, which amounted to 6,540,000 Egoni (₠).
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She opened the doors cautiously and entered. A man she did not recognise was already there. Malum coughed and clutched his chest before he spoke.
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“Three of my Firebrand-Class Heavy Cruisers have been destroyed in a bombing attack that caused the Thermobaric magazines to detonate. The blast – that happened in Luxequinox – could be heard here in Worcester. I am tol-“ Malum began coughing and reached for something and placed it on his face. He sounded much better when he spoke again.
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“I was told that the estimated cost of this rebel attack was six million... five hundred...and forty Egoni. Care to explain thyself, sister?” The venom in his voice made her swallow hard.
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“It-it was not my fault. I am not responsible for the military operations. Thou should ask Lord Admiral Blackwing why his Skögul Marines failed to stop the bombing.”
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Malum laughed harshly. “Lord Admiral... my sister raises a valid point. Why did a force that YOU boasted to be more capable than even the Valkyries fail?”
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The man that stood in the room was...oily, for the want of a better term
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He was not greasy or unwashed – on the contrary – but something seemed slick and devious about the man that Victorine had failed to recognise as Lord Admiral Blackwing.
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“Ah. I have underestimated the rebels aptitude for stealth attacks. Please do not blame Miss Victorine, I take full responsibility for this loss.”
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As thou bloody well should, thought the Grand Vizier.
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“This was thy first mistake, Lord Admiral. Make too many of those, and I will have an example made of thou. Understood?”
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“Perfectly, Your Eminence. But there is a problem: the Grand Army works less in tandem with my forces and more in opposition. A Lord General should be appointed to put an end to that. Additionally, I require more powers.”
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“More powers....to do what exactly? I have given thou everything thou shalt require. Who would be thy preference for promotion to Lord General? Hissed Malum quietly.
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“To bring more Dreadnoughts to bear on the enemies of His Eminence. The good workmen at Dock Pontefract tell me I need a signed edict from the office of His Eminence to deploy the experimental airship designated NDX-4, GNA Conflagration early. Beaumont is too bold, Reaper is too cautious, and Centyre is careless. That leaves only Grand-General Rainer of the Earl's 5th.” Blackwing said carefully.
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“iI will sign it tomorrow. Can Rainer be trusted?”
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“Absolutely not. That is why I need him in a position where he is useful and under my oversight.”
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“Very wise, Lord Admiral. See... see to it that Rainer is brought to from wherever he is to here. I will be unable to see him, so I need someone else to meet him.” Malum said in a congested, choked up voice.
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“Brother, what of thy health.”
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“Alas I need another operation on my spine for mobility reasons in addition to completely artificial vocal chords, or else I shalt lose the ability to speak soon, but never mind that. For the glory of Æonex!”
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“Brother...art thou sure?”
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“OUT.” The Earl of Narciss snapped.
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Victorine and Blackwing did as they were bid.
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As soon as they were far enough down the corridor, Victorine turned to confront the person that had nearly gotten her punished.
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“I must extend my thanks to thou, oh so mighty and powerful Lord Admiral USELESS.” She snickered at the senior naval officers sarcastically.
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“I would watch my attitude, Grand Vizier. After all, I took the blame for a certain Viscountess Victorine of Valerium. And unlike Rainer, I do not want any thanks in return.”
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“Thou art to blame for my younger sister bruising thy ego because a certain Lord Admiral of the Grand Narcissian Fleet could not protect his very expensive airships. Six million! Think what that Egoni could used for!”
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“Speaking of expensive things, Viscountess, am I mistaken or was it thou that ordered that the Dreadnought, GNA Narcissus II be retired and scrapped? Doth the Grand Vizier have even the slightest idea just how much effort I had to put to save its Ætherical Storm Generator from being discarded so that I could use it for the Firestorm and Conflagration?” Blackwing asked her calmly, but with a sense of anger lurking within his words.
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“I do not care.”
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“Of course, thou do not. I helped thou because of all of the sisters, I liked thou best. Perhaps Malum shalt make me a Viscount by marriage if I catch thy younger sister?” He wondered.
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“Perhaps.” Victorine said neutrally.
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As soon as Blackwing was out of sight, she gagged and tried to stop herself from vomiting at the idea of being forced to marry such a devious and untrustworthy man. She liked Aesop because he was mysterious, but Valerie had shot him before the bombs went off.”
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For the first time in a long time, Viscountess Victorine Elizabeth Ego regretted not being able to save her older sister Lyra Charlene Ego, who would know what to do in this situation.
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The Grand Vizier had to bite her cheek to stop herself from crying.
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