Act 3 Scene 2:
(The bridge of the ND Narcissus is a commanding space adorned with intricate brass and woodwork. A massive central command console stands as the focal point, surrounded by navigation stations and communication arrays. Ætheric lighting bathes the room, casting shadows on the faces of the officers present. The air is thick with tension as the crew goes about their duties under the watchful gaze of Aeroadmiral Noble. Earl Bigot stands alongside Aeroadmiral Noble, overseeing the operations with a stern expression)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4AebfOYQ1
(Lord Preen enters, his head held high, an air of nobility and command surrounds the young aristocrat)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgLyClNKOd
Earl Bigot: Lord Preen, you stand on the precipice of destiny. I prepare you not just for succession but for the grandeur of leading Narciss to unparalleled heights when the time is ripe.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mwHY0SY3w
Lord Preen: Your guidance is my honour, father. I shall strive to meet the expectations laid before me.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnDNxaztQz
Earl Bigot: My esteemed son, there is an unholy alliance, a coalition of the Æther Defence Fleet and the Order of the Dragoon, conspires against us. Yet, fear not, for our well-placed agents have unravelled their designs. Pray, Aeroadmiral Noble, unfurl the details of our counter-stratagem.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDPXptZU3U
Admiral Noble: The Dreadnought, our invincible ND Narcissus, takes its position at the center, a formidable force commanding the very essence of power. Flanking its right, left, and bottom are the Heavy Cruisers—Dominion, Majesty, and Supremacy—guards of grandeur. In a delicate dance surrounding the fleet’s outer edges, the Light Cruisers—Elegance, Regalia, Grandeur, Wealth, Power, and Sovereign—form an ornate screen, shielding us from threats on the horizon. Hovering above, like vigilant phantoms, the Wraiths—Spectre, Phantom, Ethereal, Apparition, Shade, Haunt, Wraith, Poltergeist, Ghost, and Spirit—maintain an ethereal presence. They serve as our eyes, wielding enhanced ætheric disruptors and aerial torpedoes with silent mastery. Within the chambers of our Heavy Cruisers and the heart of the Dreadnought itself, our Strikers rest, ready to be unleashed when the time is right. Each element of our formation, meticulously positioned, embodies the artistry of warfare, ensuring our dominance in the coming conflict.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRfVZZzVJN
Lord Preen: (Curious) What do we know about the coalition?
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrCR186LBT
Aeroadmiral Noble: The coalition's strength lies in its united forces—the Æther Defence Fleet's advanced airship technology combines seamlessly with the Order of the Dragoon's magical prowess. However, their internal strife and conflicting methodologies could prove to be a critical weakness. We shall exploit this division to our advantage, striking with precision and overwhelming force.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0D0fb3hs8
(Lord Preen nods at this)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSTJ5qRq6o
Earl Bigot: Lord Preen, to solidify your place as the future leader, there is one last task you must undertake to prove your worthiness. A decision of strategic significance that will showcase your commitment to the success of the Narcissian Fleet.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQMumH9w2s
Lord Preen: Father, I am ready to prove myself. Tell me the task you wish for me to undertake, and it shall be done with unwavering loyalty.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcjWO3FHSI
Earl Bigot: Preen, there's one last task to prove your worth. Finish what you started, (To Admiral Noble) bring her in.
Aeroadmiral Noble: Already done, your Eminence.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw414oLk9o
(Two men wearing white naval uniforms enter, the protagonist is held between them)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19XLFXJKoa
(Earl Bigot hands Lord Preen an extravagantly ornate clockwork bow, white with golden detailing)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcFZIoeSEh
Earl Bigot: Lord Preen, this task is not only a testament to your loyalty but an opportunity to enhance the very fabric of our power. The wings of the Ætherium are a conduit to the skies, intertwining with the Æther itself. They hold the potential to amplify the might of the Ætheric Storm Generator. This duty serves both as a trial and as a contribution to Narciss's ascendancy. Do not falter; embrace the path laid before you.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEAsQIrTlv
Lord Preen: Father, your ambition for power is undeniable, but surely there are other paths that won't forever tarnish our family name. To execute an innocent young woman for the sake of power is a stain that will echo through our legacy. There must be another way to secure our ascendancy without committing such an irreversible act.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0uNuFS5Oj
Earl Bigot: (Angry) Will you be a failure, Lord Preen? Do you lack the fortitude to hunt this game, to make the necessary sacrifices for the prosperity of our lineage? Are you so feeble that you would wilt under the weight of responsibility? Do you wish to be a disappointment, a feeble echo of my legacy? This is the path to our family’s greatness, and you will not falter now.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6xeclCZzb
Lord Preen: (Resigned) Very well, Father. (He takes aim at the heart of the protagonist)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FaB4VIa8T
(The two men holding her leave)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcd1Ek1PTn
(The lights black out abruptly, ending the scene in darkness)
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAoMSe7aJ4
