Quoted By:
"Stand by, Chapter Master. I will contact you again in a few moments."
"Of course, Princess Sigismundus. I await your orders." Felton is still grinning when the voxscreen goes dead. "I want you to try and contact Rogue Trader Lady Violet Engel aboard the Savoir." Marie glances at Lauronum. "I assume you have the... frequency?"
Lauronum nods. The relief on Dara's face is evident when Lady Engel appears on the screen.
"Princess Sigismundus of Bastius." Rogue Trader Violette places her golden goblet on a table next to her. "I must again extend to you my congratulations on retaking your moons. A very marvelous strategy."
"Yes, my campaign has been successful to this point," Marie agrees. "In fact, I am about to engage the pirate fleet above Scalprum and would very much enjoy the presence of the Savoir." Marie steps back from the railing and gestures at the Columba Dei's bridge. "You see, I found this marvelous little ship on Rust, the space hulk. You must feel free to pick around Rust for any interesting trinkets if you happen to find yourself in the system."
Violette's gaze wanders from the voxscreen. "I hope you have more than one ship in your fleet."
"Oh, yes, Valorus Hansteen of the Eternal Swords is here with me on the bridge of this ship. The Eternal Swords have pledged their loyalty to me."
Immediately, Violette's gaze returns to the voxscreen. "Valorus Hansteen? He is on your ship?"
The Space Marine leans into view behind Princess Marie. "Hello."
"Shall we expect you?"
Violette takes a casual sip from her golden goblet and looks away from the voxscreen. "I may have other engagements, but I will consider a brief visit. To observe the battle."
"I hope very much to see you again soon, Lady Engel."
The voxscreen again fades to darkness. Marie glances at Dara. "Contact Chapter Master Hansteen again."
"Princess Sigismundus! What is your command?"
"Now, we hunt for stragglers. Dara, order Captain Kess in the Iuvenis to follow. Keep the vox open for all ships. We will see how many pirates still linger in the Contritum."
"Aye, your majesty," Dara says, but the dread evident in her voice is soon matched by the progress of the Columba Dei. Even a voidsman might find the Contritum a challenge to navigate, and Ensign Sinclair is woefully unprepared for the daunting task. he ship nearly scrapes against the face of a floating mountain and Marie feels a twinge of terror when suddenly the mountain falls away.
They have neared the head of the Contritum, and before them is another mountain, and carved into the rock is a base. The entrance is large enough to pass the Columba Dei.
"Take me closer," orders Marie, when suddenly an urgent noise begins sounding from Dara's control panel. "What is it?" she asks.
"Another ship." Dara's finger pecks at the glass for a moment. "It's enormous!"
Marie's gaze is pulled back to the voxscreen. "Coming from that asteroid?"
"No, from behind us!"
