Welcoming the Scarlet Paladins on Alterae

    The sun was starting to set on Alterae. The sun's light casting long shadows that started to envelop the atmos-scrapers. With the dark coming, the city could really be shown coming to life. The lights started to come on. Vehicles flying across the sky, if seen from space it would look like the stars were moving across the planet below. Niko had just ended a meeting with the Archons. He stumbled out with his hand rubbing his neck. He hasn't felt this tried since his Academy days.

    "Niko you look like a Muk'carf, you need to relax more." Tyal said while walking down the hallways carrying a holo-pad.

Niko rolls his head trying to loosen the muscles in his neck.

    "Ya, maybe you're right." Niko says as he leans up against the wall and slides down it

Tyal holds out his hand and pulls Niko up as they head to the spa.

    "So how is the Fleet coming along?" Niko asked as he disrobes and head into the crimson liquid.

    "It progressing ahead of schedule, a few Admirals have sent in requests that we start the operation faster than the Archons want." Tyal said while settling down in the bath.

    "Will you be at the ceremony later?" Niko asks turning up the heat in the spa.

    "Ya, Niko is that even a question. I'm sure everyone is going to the festival." Tyal gives Niko a look of concern.

    Niko shakes his head and gives a small laugh.

    "No not that one, To officially welcome the Scarlet Paladins. They will be holding a ceremony in a few hours. I will be heading over there after this bath." Niko said sinking lower into the bath so that his neck was under.

    "Oh. I completely forgot about that." Tyal said while grabbing his holo pad to make a note of it.

    Niko and Tyal continued to talk and discuss other topics. Niko and Tyal headed out to locker rooms to change and started off towards the Scarlet ceremony.

    As the sun begins to rise, Adam stands outside the massive gates of his new home, the first Scarlet Paladin monastery to be build on an Altraean Dominion world. He looks around, seeing the massive structure of dark granite that his people had built, and now is nearing completion. He is clad in his dark grey power armor, blood saber at his side, and accompanied by an entourage of young boys who are around the age of eleven, each wearing deep red tunics and robes. Adam senses the presence of a well of life energy even before he hears the footsteps and soft mechanical whirring of a fellow Scarlet Paladin's power armor as his apprentice, Carmine, walks over to him.

    "Are you all set?" Adam asks her.

    Carmine holds out a hand to one of the young twelve-year-old girls behind her, clad in deep red dresses, and the girl puts a square of metal in her hand, so dark it's almost black. Carmine looks at the silver engravings on it, seeing that everything is in order on her end.

    "I'm all moved in. How about you, chief?" Carmine says, intentionally using Adam's new title as a gesture of friendly teasing.

    Adam gives her a gentle smile.

    "Everyone's all set, the only thing that needs done is to finish the blessing symbols on the pillars, which are being done now, and to carve the emblem of the Kadaga Clan into the surface of the gates," Adam replies, motioning to the front gates of the monastery.

    "Once the Altraeans arrive for the ceremony, we can begin the emblem carving and dedication of the monastery," He says.

    Carmine smiles as she takes her place at his side, their young servants standing behind them with their deep red hoods up, hiding their faces as they look to the ground in respect.

    The transport flew across the landscape a few meters above the tree line. The sun was at the back of the transport casting a shadow in front of the the speeding vehicle. Niko along with a few members of the Archon council sat in the transport.

    "Niko how long will this take?" Ro'u asks as she reads over a holo-report.

    "It will take as long as it takes my little starling." Niko responds dodging the holo-pad as Ro'u flung it at his head.

    Tyal just sat there snickering to himself as a few other people did.

    "It shouldn't take long, I suspect that you will be allowed to leave after the ceremony. So don't bitch, you will be able to return your studies soon." Niko says picking up the pad and reading over her report before handing it back.

    "We are five minutes out, be ready." The pilot said over the comms.

    The transport sped over the trees until it came into a clearing. A massive structure stood over the trees in black granite. The Transport slowed down and started to land just out sides the gates. Niko along with the other members stepped out of the transport and stood outside the gates. The transport powered down it's engines.

    Adam and Carmine walk over to the transport, trailed by their scarlet-clad servants. "Niko, glad you could make it," Adam says

    Niko along with the other members gave a slight bow. Niko stepped forward and gave a turn and gestured towards each person Introducing them.

    "You already met Ro'u and Tyal". They both gave a small nod. Ro'u took down her hood. Her light grey robes looked dull in the sunlight. Tyal stood in the shadow if the transport in his black Admiral uniform.

    "This is Archon Keal'en, Leo'um, and Sul'n" Each one nodded lowing their hoods and taking off a custom mask. Their black robes with different color stripes running the length of their right side.

    Adam's breathing quivers a little when Ro'u removes her hood, but he continues. Looking to the others, he bows slightly, saying, "I am Adam, newly appointed chief of this monastery, and this is my apprentice, Carmine. I thank you all for accommodating us on your world, and for taking the time to come to the dedication of our monastery."

    Niko smiles and nods. "Im pleased that we could attend this ceremony."

    Ro'u looks at the boy before her and gives a silent laugh. Tyal nudged her in the ribs. The other Archons step forward next to Niko hiding Ro'u and Tyal from their sights.

    Adam looks to the ground for a second before looking back up at them.

    "Before we continue, I'd like to say that all of our servants here," Adam says as he motions to the younger ones behind them, "have volunteered themselves for your use if you feel thirsty. So all you need do is ask."

    Niko turned towards Adam and gave a smile of appreciation, and closed his eyes to give a silent laugh in his head.

    <Niko this boy does understand what a bite will do right, I'm flattered they made an effort but I wouldn't feel right> Leo said to Niko pisonic

The other two Archons agreed.

    <It's fine, I will decline his offer saying we had already fed.>

    "Thank you Adam for your generosity, but we all had our fill before coming here. But on to the ceremony. I'm interested in how you welcome in a new monastery." Niko gave a polite smile

    Adam nods. "Indeed... we will begin shortly," He says, motioning to the servants behind him, who all go to help the small crowd of others who are opening the gates. Adam and Carmine take their places about fifty steps from the gates, looking at the servants as they carry a small machine that resembles a prism out of the gates, toward Adam and Carmine

    Adam and Carmine stand by the prism as the servants set it down at their feet, about three feet in height and width. A few dozen other Scarlet Paladins and servants exit the monastery's gates. As the last servants close the massive gates behind them, the other Scarlet Paladins line up on either side of the doorway, lining the wide path between the prism and the doors, with all the servants standing behind them. Everyone looks at Adam, who begins speaking. "On this day, we gather to dedicate this monastery to the use of the Scarlet Paladin Corps. We dedicate it to the Empire of Trinova, our motherland, and to Sa'Shanai, our God. We dedicate this monastery to the sacred arts of hemomancy, manipulating the energy of life and death, and using it to do justice in this world," Adam says. All the Scarlet Paladins speak up in unison, saying, "Blood is life, blood is death!" Adam and Carmine each say their corps' creed again, before Adam speaks again. "And finally, we dedicate this monastery to the service of the Kadaga Clan. In so doing, I carve my clan's sacred emblem into her gates," Adam says, reaching down to touch the prism. A red beam of light shines up from the platform beneath the prism, illuminating it bloodshot crimson a split second before the beam flies into the door of the monastery. With Adam's guidance, it carves an ornate "K" into the gates, barely visible through all its embellishments, which all resemble the tattoos of the Scarlet Paladins around them. After about a minute, the symbol is complete, and all the Scarlet Paladins raise their blood sabers 45 degrees above their heads in salute. Adam turns to Niko and the others. "We'll be going inside to have a feast now, the main ceremony is over. You're free to follow if you wish, but if you have prior engagements, you may leave." He says. The servants gather the prism and open the doors, entering first. Adam and Carmine follow, walking between the rows of Scarlet Paladins on either side, under their raised swords. As Adam and Carmine pass each adjascent pair of fellow Scarlet Paladins, each of them sheaths their sword and files into line behind them, until all of them have entered.

    Ro'u pushed Tyal out of the away and the other Archons quickly step out her way.

    "Can I go now? I have better things than to dine with these people. People who offer young kids for us to feed on. What arrogants! She almost yelled a little red in her face." Ro'u shoved Niko hard in the shoulder.

    For a split second a tremendous wave of psionic radiates from Niko. The other Archons and Tyal were ready for it but Ro'u in all her yelling wasn't. She quickly fell to the ground with a force that it made a small impact crater where she lay. Two other Archons picked her up and headed into the Transport. Tyal pulled the earth back up so it looks like nothing happened. But it happened so fast that unless you were looking you would have only seen a blur of movements. Niko turns around smiling and walks towards the monastery with Keal'en and Tyal'u. The Transport came back to life and lifted off back towards the city as the three entered the monastery

    Inside, the great hall of the monastery has a long stone table running the length of it, easily large enough for all the Scarlet Paladins to sit and eat, with room to spare. The servants are going back and forth from rooms hidden behind the side pillars of the massive room, ferrying food and drink to those seated at the table. Dozens of platters of meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables of all kinds, as well as flasks of many different drinks, some alcoholic and some not. Adam sits at the head of the table, on his new throne, with Carmine sitting to his right. Adam had instructed that seats near him be left available for any Altraeans who decided to join them.

    Niko along with the other two that chose to stay and enjoy the hospitality of the Paladins walks slowly up towards the head table where the empty seats where. They watched the Paladin eat and talk, they seem like a well kitted family. Niko walked up to Adam and asked if the seat to his left was taken.

    Adam looks up at Niko, motioning for them to take their seats while he finishes his most recent bite of food, embarrassed by the accidental breach of etiquette. Carmine smirks at him a little.

    Niko smiles as take the seat. The other follow his lead.

    "You don't have hold on Ceremony, enjoy yourself. It's a celebration."

Niko starts to dish himself some food.

    Adam swallows his food and smiles. "Indeed, a very joyous occasion. To be honest this is my first time being in charge of anything... I wonder what my father sees in me that makes him think I'm worthy of this," He says.

    Niko starts to cut the meat before him. "You're father isn't a fool. I'm sure he chose you for more than just being his son." said with a reassuring smile as his took a bite out of the meat. Niko smiled, he turned to Adam

    "This is some quality cooking, what animal does this come from?" Niko asked pointing the knife down at the meat.

    "It's slow-roasted Grapa, a herd animal raised in Trinova. We fixed these ourselves, as you'll notice the meat has no blood in it," Adam says.

    Niko takes another bite, out of the Grapa. "This is really good."

    The other two nod in agreement as they chow down the meal.

    "So when are you two going to Commit to each other?" Niko asks looking at Adam and Carmine with a smile.

    He took another bite, and a sip from the flask.

    Adam raises an eyebrow as he looks back and forth between Niko and Carmine, mostly understanding what he means, but still asking, "Commit?"

    Niko took another bite. "I didn't mean to assume. I got the impression that you two were together." Niko paused for a moment. took a sip from the flask to wash down the food. "It may not seem like it now, but Ro was interested in this fresh just out of the academy cadet. They worked together, trained together, they were very much like you and Carmine are today. They kinda just fell in love with each other. Some may say it was like magic, the way they fell for eachother." Niko gave a large smile as if he was remembering the past days when Ro was happier.

    Adam looks at Carmine, who returns his gaze. "Maybe some day..." Adam says with a smile, before looking back at Niko. "From what I've seen... it seems unlikely Ro'u could ever feel love..." Adam says in a very low tone.

    Niko lowed his face a little. His smile faded. "It's true she has become like a rock, and as cold as the void itself." Niko took another drink from the Flask and set it down."I remember when she was as cheerful and carefree. That her smile was as bright as the Stars." Niko paused for a moment, before continuing. "War, stay in it long enough and it will change you. To Ro, newly in love, committed. She was the happiest I've ever seen her. Dark things happen during war. The Qu'jen massacre. . . it changed many people. Some still haven't recovered." Niko took another bite, then looked at Adam. "I know Ro isn't the easiest person to get along with. In fact I'm trying to help her along with recovery. It's how she has chosen to cope with the losses. Being human, you don't live as long." Niko paused trying to think of how to phase this. "Adam  . . . If you made a mistake, you did something bad or you blame yourself for what happened. You would no doubt feel bad. or blame yourself. Now you have a short life span, you have to carry that weight you're whole life. Now to Ro, and myself, you're just a baby. Now I’m saying that you are, but time wise. So the Qu'jen massacre was almost 28,657 years ago. Thats a really long time to bare that weight, and it own grows over the time." Niko takes another bite. Tyal looks over having listened in "She may seem like a complete bitch, trust me. But it takes time for her to warm up to people. She only spends her time around her own kind. She feels like humans are too weak or breakable so she will protect herself from developing bonds with humans out of fear of lost. Try not to take it too personal" Tyal smiles at Adam and takes a sip from the drink.

    Adam contemplates these words for a long while before speaking again. "Our great king knows of the rigors of being immortal, and watching lesser races wither and die... but he always seems to put on a face of valor whenever his presence is needed, not letting it affect him. I wonder if he'd ever feel the same way..." Adam says. "Shouldn't let the royal guard hear you talking like that about our king," Carmine says quietly, just before taking a drink.

    "It could be." Niko says with a small smile. Niko takes a bite out of the cheese. Niko smiles at the food. "This is some great cheese, is this from the same animal?" Niko asks eating another slice of the cheese.

    "Yes indeed, the Grapa is used for its meat, its milk and its wool, as well as the horns of the males," Adam says in reply.

    Niko looks over to the other two. He gives a small laugh to see them enjoying the food. Niko turns back to Adam. "Do you raise them on the estate?" Niko asks while enjoying the food.

    "We have a small herd of them in the monastery, in our farming area," Adam replies as he continues eating.

    Niko nods. "So how have you all been settling in, have you been in the cities or anything since you arrived on the planet?"

    With Adam once again finding himself with his mouth full, Carmine decides to speak in his stead, figuring he won't mind. "We haven't visited any of your cities yet, but I personally want to. I hear you have blood baths?" She says

    "Speaking of bloodbaths me and Niko had one just before arriving here" Tyal says with a laugh. To imagine another race of humans not apart of the Dominion seeing this as not a taboo.

"Yes, the baths really relax the body." Niko said with a grin, while rolling his neck.

    Carmine chases a little blue fruit around her plate with her fork. "We use them in our rituals, channeling our life force. Some of our more advanced can make the blood around them pulse with their own heartbeat." She says

    "That's fascinating, but what I witnessed it doesn't really surprise me." Niko said with a smile. "On the topic though, have you or your father chosen who will become Transangic?" Niko asks looking at Adam.

    Adam clears his throat before speaking, trying to sound official. "He and I have run trials among our ranks, and we think we've come up with a few candidates. No human known is a natural psyker, though, so there may need to be some genetic modification before they're ready," He says.

    Niko thinking to himself. "We have never tried to genetically modify a human to have psionic abilities. Though we haven't really had the need to. The young girl I met on first contact with Trinova she was what you speak of if I remember. If so, her abilities were up to par for what is needed." Niko says while finishing his meal. "I'm must ask, what did you do for these trails?" Niko said refilling his plate with food. Having eaten almost two plates worth it doesn't seem to slow down his appetite.

    "Hearing the requirements to become a Transangic, my father and I developed a system of trials to test our Scarlet Paladins for having a strong connection to the arts of hemomancy. They were made to exercise their arts in various combat techniques, and only those whose control over their existing ethereal powers was exceedingly strong, were chosen," He says.

    "Sounds good, as for becoming a Transangic not by birth it would be only fair warning that I must request that there be at least two guards posted per person with them and to teach them how to adapt to the new changes. The hunger if not managed right has a chance to consume the person. We will also teach your instructor as well." Niko said before finishing off his drink

    Adam nods as he finishes his grapa. "I've been meaning to say, I apologize if our offer to let you feed on our servants was offensive..." He says apologetically.

    "I had meant to bring this up with you also. You remember the tour I had Tyal and Ro take you on. The mess hall?" Niko said with a all laugh

    "I was rather distracted by all the new information, but yes..." Adam says.

“ “Ah. Yes.  I guess learning a new culture can be overwhelming at times." Niko started but was cut off by Tyal.  "If you don't remember the rooms off to the side of the mess hall were private booths for more than just feeding, if you catch my drift." Tyal said with smirk.

    Adam raises an eyebrow and looks back to Niko.

    "Yes. And our saliva when used on the young has a higher chance to leave some permanent effects.  So that is why we don't feed on the young." Niko said with a short laugh

    As one of the young servants brings Adam a new drink, he pats the boy on the head. "Their metabolisms are high during this stage of life, easily capable of rapidly replacing lost blood, given food and water. We use them for most of our ceremonial stores of blood... hence the offer," Adam says.

    "That's understandable." Niko says as he digs into the freshy fill plate

    Niko finished off his plate and started to grab at pieces from Tyal plate.

    "Hey get your own." Tyal says as he just about stabbed Nikos hand as he took a piece of Grapa."

    Niko turned towards Adam "Do you have a ending course to your meals? I do enjoy a good sugar treat." Niko said as he looked around the hall watching the other paladins.

    As the platters along the table were emptying, Adam was thinking the same thing. He stands and claps twice, gaining the attentions of all the servants. "Bring forth the final course," He says. All the servants dart back into the food preparation area and bringing out bowls of colored puddings and cakes, along with other sweet breads. Adam takes a dollop of plain pudding and a few slices of sweet bread as the final course is set out for the paladins and Altraeans to enjoy. Drinks are refilled, and conversations continue.

    Niko picks up a small roll coated in a iceing as he brings it closer to his face, he smells a rich flavor, the smell is amazing. He bites into the roll. His mind goes blank, he can't even bring to describe the taste. It's so full of flavor, the amount of sugar makes him open his eyes again. He then finished off that roll and had five more. Niko looks over to Adam and looks him right in the eyes. "What in creation are these?!?!" Niko almost yelled.

    Adam smiles widely. "Those are cinnamon rolls... a personal favorite of mine, actually," He says, taking a few for himself.

    "I must ask for the recipe!" Niko almost pleads. Giving dracon eyes

    Adam, still smiling, claps his hands twice. One young girl comes to his side. Adam says something quickly in a smooth and very articulated language, the girl nods and leaves the room for a moment, coming back with a small data crystal in hand. "The formula for making these," Adam says, as he motions the girl to hand it to Niko.

    "I thank you." Niko says and the other two nod in agreement as they are devouring the rolls.

    Adam smirks as he eats his own, thankful he got some himself.

    Niko finally finished the plate that was full of the rolls, looks slightly embarrassed, and re-composes himself. "This has been a great ceremony." Niko says with a smile and Tyal and Keal nod their heads.

     "Indeed, it has. It gives me pleasure to see someone enjoy our cuisine so much," Adam says with a small laugh, "Perhaps we should have events like this more often."

    "Yes, that would be enjoyable. If you didn't know there will be a festival happening in a few hours. It's a bit more wired than this is." Tyal gave a loud laugh. "That's one way of putting it Niko.”

    "that is is, but I will be hosting a party at the Ancestral ruins, which has become my home. I would welcome you to a family dinner that is more civil."

    "I..." Adam begins, but stops himself and looks at Carmine. "I mean... we, would love to join you there," He says with a slight blush.

    "I look forward to seeing you both there." Niko gave a smile and turned back and looked at the size of the hall and the paladins below