A New Horizon on the Sea of Stars

The room was filled with the sound of a nervously tapping pen. Miles Brun, Marquess of Peachhanger and Second Secretary of the Navy was sat in his office. The well decorated and large office sat nestled in the prominent administrative wing of the Admiralty Office. The large white stone building, gilded with steel accents in the Redgrave-Isambard Government District in Saranshire. His office had a view of the small Admiral Countenridge Square, one of three courtyards in the interior of the Admiralty building. Lord Brun was silently staring out the window as he tapped the pen, his eyes wandering from the rose bushes, to the small white bird bathing in a fountain, and finally to the bronze statue of old Admiral Countenridge. He let out a long sigh and turned his eyes back to his computer. There was a knock on the door as a well dressed man in naval uniform entered and moved for the chair in front of Lord Brun's desk.
"How goes the search?" The man asked as he took a seat and helped himself to a cigar from the case on the desk.
The Hurvecht looked up, "it would be going better if just one of these men would tell me who the hell is qualified for the job. I've had a line of officers stretching out the door, down the hall, and down the staircase to the foyer. Each wishes me the best luck finding the right man for the job and offers me a list of grievances the size of Sansad and the imperial court combined but when it comes time to recommend a man to me they never bloody do."
The other man laughed as he puffed the cigar, "old naval superstition."
"Come again?" Lord Brun said annoyed.
"It's an old naval superstition, recommend a man for the job and he's doomed to fail."
"You navy types, I swear at least in the army everyone's proud enough to recommend themselves."
"Yes Lord Brun, but that's the army. This is the navy. We operate with some modesty here."
"Modesty is an old fashioned trait, Admiral." Miles snapped, "forgive my tone, sir."
"Your father was a navy man, was he not?"
"Yes he was, captain of the HIMS Casapomar"
"Mm, good ship. Old one too, your father was a different generation of us navy men." The admiral seemed deep in thought before he reached into his pocket and looked at a piece of paper and placed it on Brun's desk. "Oh yes, think this is yours." He said standing and fixing his uniform before leaving the office.
Lord Brun took the paper and read it, his face glowed and he started typing quickly.

-

A man and a woman were standing on the deck of a ship, warm summer rays beaming down on them. Their white summer uniforms rippling in the breeze.
The woman spoke first, "good to see you've taken to the command." The man only responded with a grunt. "You'll do us all proud." She smiled and leaned against the railing. "But count those breaths, the air here is fresh. Not like Bezembay or Ethelford. Wont stay this way for long, not after they finish building that thing." Her eyes were drawn to the etheric promenade under construction below their ship. The man had to turn away, the a glare being reflected right into his eyes off the woman's gold tattoos on her cheek. "But that's all I have to say. Do your damn job and come home a hero or don't bother coming home at all. I know you did not care for this command, but the Lord Peachhanger put you here." She stood up and put brushed off the man's epaulettes. "But the time to leave is now, so I'll let you be." The man stood to attention.
"Grand Admiral O'Donoghue," he said saluting.
"Captain Hubbard," she said saluting back.

After the deck was cleared and the grand admiral's gig had pushed off to return to Santo Duraco's surface, Captain Tobias Hubbard and his crew of 375 sailors, 15 scientists, 52 marines, and 1 minister without portfolio set off in the IRV Knapphouse. The brilliant white ship breaching the atmosphere and leaving the balmy colony behind. It joined the Royal Wind ether current to the sound of a 21 gun salute on the planet below, and a row of ships waving flags and singing praises in the ether. Imperial broadcasting cameras had eyes on the ship until she departed the Deltabelt of Santo Duraco and entered the dangerous Gallway Slip, the tail entrance to the maelstrom of Hoshizora. The ship seeking new shores, her imperial standard emblazoned brightly on her sides. It was the time for a new horizon for the empire.

In time, IRV Knapphouse would smoothly sail into the Elysium System. By the time it touched the region of the heliosphere. Their instruments would likely be able to pick up numerous radio signals that were being broadcasted into the ether. All of which were music stations of various genres but were all instrumentals. Giving people in the sea of stars a relaxing tune as they cruise the waves. The chill vibes persist the more of the system they observe. In that there wasn’t anybody that was immediately coming to greet them like the majority of Hoshizoran star systems. And they would very well detect that there is interstellar traffic here.

On the outer disk of the system they could pick up readings of there being trade outposts and refueling stations. There were signs of a military fleet in the system but they don’t seem to be bothered by their presence. The number of planets in the system were few. Five in total. All of which seem to be inhabited to varying extents. The one that seems to be the ‘major’ world in this system was in the star's second orbital ring.

The closer they would get the more radio frequencies they would pick up. Now they were getting things like advertisements and weather reports. Thankfully they seem to speak Galactic Basic. They would be able to learn that this was called Elysium. There was a sizable amount of installations orbiting around the world. Yet no one seems to be reaching out to them yet and if they had wanted to. Had passed Elysium’s moon that was clearly colonized. For a moment it would seem as if they would be able to just cruise on down to the surface.

Then they receive an automatic broadcast. Welcoming visitors to the paradisaical world of Elysium. The broadcast had a data package for one to open. Inside was a set of coordinates. Places for a ship to land. At the end of the broadcast it spoke that if they have any purpose beyond tourism and commercialism. They should contact the nearest station for assistance. The message ends with wishing the visitors a happy time here.

The Knapphouse's bridge was almost empty, filled with a skeleton crew of junior officers managing the systems of the ship. The remaining officers and the minister without portfolio had filled the conning tower's observation room and all had pressed their faces to observation equipment to gawk at the sights. Captain Hubbard and Minister Johnston were both enamoured by what they saw, though it was not surprising that civilisation existed out here, they were unprepared to encounter a civilisation like this. Within hours the Knapphouse's encrypted laser transmission equipment was activated and broadcasted messages back to Santo Duraco. In total Elysium stations could see the Bezannian ship sending multiple messages far off into the ether with a sophisticated technology suite. Though the messages were encrypted with military codes. The Knapphouse seemed to orbit around for a while, it took days of the Knapphouse seemingly circling the system. It was fairly obvious it was conducting scientific analysis and cartographic duties. The ship could often be observed deploying instruments of varying purpose. But after the fourth day of this, the Knapphouse finally moved towards an orbital station. It hailed on an open channel and requested docking permissions.

The mighty ship had been at sea for almost four months, searching and probing various paths along the Royal Wind and Gallway Slip before it found the entrance to the Elysium system. But back in Santo Duraco the colonial naval office was frenzied with activity. The forward admiralty committee, the group responsible for directing the imperial expansion efforts were beaming with a report from the Knapphouse about a civilisation in the central pass with a possible corridor further west. Within hours this report reached Sansad and from there the privy council. As the carriages and limousines convened at the imperial palace in Saranshire, rumours quickly spread. A member of the imperial court was dispatched at once, and a state yacht left the capital planet within the hour. It would arrive on Santo Duraco in four days time, all pieces of something much more grand in motion. Santo Duraco's capital city soon became engulfed with imperials for the first time in its history, Bezannians had flooded the streets and outnumbered the native inhabitants.

They continued to be undisturbed for those few days. Leaving them ample time to acquire plentiful amounts of data to further analyze. To summarize it was evident that the Elysian Civilization only colonized their home system. All other stars within their sphere of influence are mined or used for other purposes such as scientific experimentation. Given the extent of the infrastructure that is built in this system. The Elysians have been space faring for a couple of millennia at most.

Even though this civilization very much seems to keep to themselves. It does appear that they have some interaction beyond their quadrant of the galaxy through accessing the Elysian’s public internet. They’ve found ways through the great sea of stars to distantly interact with people as far as Iammelon. Although in terms of Iammelon it takes a long time there and back again. They don’t seem to know the passage that Knapphouse came from.

Speaking of the internet. They may come to find that Elysium is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. They have minorities composed of almost every sentient life in Hoshizora. Only ones that don’t seem to have a presence are Arachain, Isituo, Eshnadim, Watrike, and Dragon. Last two being rather obvious why they wouldn't be here of all places.

As noted before. Every celestial body has some form of colony on it. Even the star itself has a colony on it. Of course not on it since stars don’t have a ‘surface’. To give a picture. If a ship was completely immune to heat and 100% reflective. It would be able to fly straight through a star. The large cluster of habitats that is collectively referred to as Zel, ‘rests’ above the ‘surface’ of the star’s photosphere. Zel is largely treated as the spiritual slash ceremonial capital of Elysian Civilization. The star possesses a sizable presence of both military and industry as well.

The promising jewel of the frontier remained to be Elysium. If they happen to learn about it. Elysium was currently going through a normal period of urbanization. There seems to be a firm grip on population control whenever the global population reaches certain thresholds. The citizens will be offered a life in the Elysian Colonies. There was a sense that they possessed a culture that cared a great deal about a healthy environment. Which serves as a reason for people to be willing to make such a big move off Elysium. The information about the deurbanization would no doubt spark hope. In that there would be open land that the Bezannians could build a colony on.

Their culture extends to their infrastructure that can be summed up as ‘Solarpunk’. The commitment clearly paid off in how vibrant and verdant Elysium remained after so many centuries. Preserving the utopian ideal that Elysium seems to represent to sentient life across the stars.

There are more files to be studied but those can be looked over later. Now was the time for first contact. The hail was received. Seconds later a line was established. “This is Officer Zekon Kanumba. I hope you’ve been having a good time here. It’s all clear for you to slide into Port B-69. We’ll have a representative be down there to greet you. Have a swell day, friends.”

Once safely secured in the port. Whoever would disembark they would find a woman standing there in a uniform. She sported a name tag that read Capt. Zamari Abbas. Zamari looked similar to an Equiaux. But her equine features were soft enough that it would be easy to visualize her face as human. Her mane and coat was similar to that of a Zebra for easy comparison. Her large, vibrant eyes were an earthly brown. An interesting detail was the glyph on the outside of her pants over where her outer thighs would be. A chain circling the outline of a heart. Within the outline of the heart was a tribal glyph that seemed to mean something of value. One will need to ask her if curious enough.

The Captain gave a brilliant smile. “Welcome! It’s pleasant to have newcomers here. I’m Captain Zamari Abbas. I’ve been chosen as the representative to give the welcome wagon.”

The Bezannians arrived at the station in a K&PM 600k craft, the slick flying wing shuttle landed at the hanger within site of the larger Knapphouse in the background. The shuttle slowly touched down and as the ramp lowered Captain Abbas was surprised that the first two individuals off the ship were highly formal dressed marines, their white uniforms and caps freshly brushed and laundered. The two marines arrived carrying ceremonial rifles in a formal style. What followed was a pair of individuals. One dressed in a naval tailcoat and the other in a civil service unfirom. As the two stepped off the shuttle they bowed their heads towards the captain.
The one in the uniform spoke first, "I am Captain Tobias Hubbard of the Imperial Research Vessel Knapphouse."
The gentleman in the civil servant uniform spoke next, "and I am Sir George Johnston, Baronet of Dernby. We represent the Empire of Bezannia and are honoured to stand in your presence." Before Captain Abbas were two humans, one meascthan, and a hurvecht. One marine and Captain Hubbard were human, fair skinned with brown hair and dark eyes. The other marine was meascthan, skinny and with fair skin, their hair as brown as the humans but their eyes a verdant green and their ears long and pointed. But Minister Johnston was a Hurvecht, a fourteen and a half foot tall yellow furred Hurvecht with long white hair, black eyes, orange irises, and pink pupils. His hair was brushed back and straight, and at the end of his long snout was a small beard neatly groomed. His large tail was held behind him neatly.

-

On Santo Duraco, a yacht was arriving at the etheric promenade. A woman dressed in a scarlet uniform draped in medals and awards stepped off the gangway and onto the firm concrete floor of the landing area. She was greeted by several other individuals in scarlet uniforms and others in navy. The group convened and then quickly moved inside the promenade. On the elevator ride down, they talked over what they had seen and heard. The elevator carried them from the top to the bottom floor, where the elevator simply switched tracks and functioned as a train to shuttle the passengers from the tower which stood in the middle of the sea to the shore. As they exited they entered a sea of vehicles that shuttled them all to an impressive palatial building that looked out at the city from a lonely rock formation on the edge of the naturally crescent shaped bay. With the crowd assembled inside an intensely private meeting began in which a large communication machine was brought up to connect to a line somewhere far off in the stars.

As this historic meeting plays out. They will come to learn the storied past of the Elysian people. At least parts of it. Long ago, in the distant past. Before the children of paradise reached for the stars. Elysium was ruled over by two godlike beings. Lincoln and Zarah. They had cleansed the failings of the old world to pave way for the utopian civilization that still stands to this day. For a time it was believed that this tranquil state would last for eternity. Then came the birth of their only son. Aspis Serras.

Aspis Serras was treated like a god. He had cities on all three continents named after him. All the luxuries and pleasures he could ever want were his. And yet in spite of such privilege. His eyes were set elsewhere on the everdistant horizon. One day, Aspis rebelled against his parents. Tales cite that he blinded his father before imprisoning him along with his mother. Then he went to tear down the legacy of the Serras Dynasty. Exposing them as the evil tyrants that they were.

After Aspis overturned the government and spent years in the spotlight. He faded into the background. For the most part it was believed that he outright left Elysium. It wasn’t until those dreadful Years of the Long Night centuries ago when the world was conquered by a Run Psion. Great, alien machines swarm the world likeants. Great laboratories were constructed all over. The Run, fascinated with the biological potential in the Elysians. Planted ‘Celestial Seeds’ within the populace to alter with their evolutionary projection. Resulting in people being born with extraordinary abilities.

Hope came when Aspis came back from obscurity to lead the Elysian Liberation Front against the Run. The battles were awesome. Many lives were lost but eventually they have fortunately brought down the Psion that treated them like lab rats for so long. In the wake of their freedom. Elysium went through a period of coming to terms with its new status quo. Many decided to stay in paradise while others felt like leaving it behind. Colonize the other worlds in their system.

The overall government was a complicated one. For the most part, people don’t really talk about it as if it doesn’t exist. The closest comparison would be by the Iammelonian Corporate Era where conglomerates possess the most presence over the region. Here, the System of Elysium was influenced by businessmen, industrialists, and the like. All working in seemingly cordial cooperation.

A prominent businessman to reach out to the Bezannians was a stallion named Lux.  Owner and CEO of LuxCorp. He’ll be the one to help them with the process of getting a lease for land on Elysium. It’s evident that he has larger plans running in the background for him to be so willing to give up a slice of paradise to outsiders. Only time will tell what he’s up to. For the time being he’ll continue to interact with the Bezannians.

It was not long before the Bezannians disembarked from their ship to explore the planet of Elysium. The crew of the Knapphouse took photos and bartered for souvenirs. They flooded bars and restaurants and tried to pay with Bezannian coin or other valuables they had in their possession like watches, rings, and necklaces. The crew were jovial, but were sailors so it was expected they were a type of rascal.

But after three days of shore leave the crew solemnly returned to the ship and the captain, who for a time had been jovial himself turned glum. Before leaving he had a farewell with the Captain that welcomed him. He gifted her with a bottle of proper whiskey, a well aged Ben Hall-Grant vintage from his personal stock. But during the meeting he was standoffish and quiet. His last words from one captain to another were “And be careful.” His manner of speech had always been short and professional, but there was something different in the way he had spoken this. He spoke with eyes that shifted left and right, as if they were trying to look over his shoulder. His tone was quiet and warning. Though this could just be misconstrued as a reluctance to leave, he could have also been delivering a message.

The Knapphouse departed on the fourth morning and steamed beyond the reaches of the Elysium system before deploying its etherfoils. The ripple created in the ether by the foils was visible from the orbital station’s electronic viewing equipment. From there it took minutes for the ship to vanish as an ever shrinking speck on the monitor into the red sea of emptiness. It took a few more days for other blips to appear on the monitors, three ships appeared on the same side of the system that the Knapphouse had entered from. The three were sailing in a V-formation, as they got closer they were revealed to be quite mighty ships indeed. The one at the head of the formation was a grand yacht, a sleek white and black ship which proudly displayed the imperial flag and some other kind of banner. Behind it trailed two mighty warships, the warships did not enter the system however, as they quickly broke formation and stayed clear of the system. Though it was difficult to observe where these warships went, had they gone back to this Bezannia? Or had they stayed close by? The grand and mighty yacht steamed proudly for the station that the Knapphouse had first gone to.

The party that was received this time consisted of a creach woman at the head of a great host of Bezannians. The woman wore a dazzling scarlet uniform adorned with medals and admirations of a nation. Her retinue consisted of some bodyguards, and a large host of well dressed individuals. The woman was announced as Her Grace, Lindsey Ponsonby, the Duchess of Azurehall. She was to serve as the Emperor’s Appointed representative to the Elysians.

The Bezannians quickly established themselves in the system, asking for accomodations and even began talks of an embassy. But in the meantime, the Duchess Azurehall, or Lady Ponsonby for short, made an immediate and unusual request for a rather large plot of land to be leased for 99 years. The Bezannians showed they were serious by presenting about 200 weight of Arcalite. And when approached by LuxCorp for the development opportunity the Bezannians immediately entered into dealings with him. They offered the Arcalite and negotiated terms for their lease. Though they were strict in the declaration they would be building a dedicated port for their ships and industry to conduct relevant trade with the planet.

Within a month, construction went ahead. The terms with LuxCorp were not very negotiable, as Mister Lux himself found these Bezannians were strong business types themselves. And they had the advantage, they wanted land and brought the money. Lux got a didactic tone from the Bezannians, as if they were not negotiating the terms of their agreement but dictating it. There was also a sneaking suspicion that denying their requests would not end very well for future business, but the Bezannians were friendly. Incredibly formal however, their manner of speech was so precise and formal it might have been disorientating. But Lux was promised trade rights and an exclusivity to the proclaimed “Imperial Economic Zone.” The Bezannian construction ships poured into the system from afar, Lux was even invited by the Duchess Azurehall to visit Bezembay in her company. The creach woman promising to make introductions to prominent imperial businessmen and even a courtier or two.

For the plot of land, the Bezannians requested a plot of land that included a small portion of coastal land but mostly they wanted a large swath of nearby ocean. Watching the imperial construction process usually inspired one of two emotions. Awe at the impressive nature of their technology or apprehension at the efficiency of their efforts to adapt seemingly unusual land to their demands. Two large vessels blotted out the skies over the ocean, casting shadows for miles along the coast. Both ships had about a dozen tenders moving back and forth. A small team of ships were driving large metal beams into the ocean. Others were doing the same but making a clear line to the coast. One ship had even landed and was building some kind of compound on the coast, large brick buildings were being set up and supported with large dark steel beams. One of the two larger ships was using a horribly massive mechanism akin to a railroad spike driver to drive massive wedges of metal plates into the ocean. Nearby towns up to 150 miles away were feeling earth tremors as the Bezannians drove metal into the planet's surface. Observers close to the coast were given no advanced warning to these tremors. The magnitude of the tremors was high, but the Bezannians kept toiling away. Their ships going day and night. Seemingly having a day and night crew to keep work flowing.

On Bezembay Mister Lux was brushing elbows with Bezannian gentry and industrialists. Men and woman who had deep pockets and fancy titles. They treated him to boiled crab and champagne dinners where they all eagerly inquired as to his planet and industries. Many approached with propositions of both economic and mercantile. By the time he returned to Elysium he had six business ventures lined up promising a princely sum in total. Things from distribution of Bezannian domestic products to more infrastructure development, communications equipment, and even fishing/whaling operations. But in all that time Lux also saw the Bezannian way of life, how their society was uniquely positioned to technology, their culture too. It was intoxicating to take all in at once, but when he returned to his homeworld he saw the Etheric Promenade taking shape on the surface of the planet. The gargantuan structure was visible from orbit, the foundations took up a large portion of ocean. Though it was not but a few hundred feet tall, it promised to pierce the very skies when completed. That it might literally be visible from hundreds of miles away, this tower would serve as a space elevator for the Bezannians and Elysians. That fleet of construction ships continuing to hammer away day and night, and now even assembling the framework of a train that would take passengers from the shore to the tower. With each day ships arrived to supply the construction fleet with more building materials. Though the promenade was not expected to be finished for another couple of months, by the end of the first month it was capable of limited service of ships. The immediate impact of this was the Bezannians altogether stopped using the orbital stations. Now appeared a new kind of ship, the oil tankers. These filled a fuel depot and allowed the Bezannians to finally make use of their still developing tower. The train had been up and running for a while, waiting for the tower to take shape. While the shore based compound now had large walls, and within the Bezannians had built large warehouses, an embassy, and housing for all the workers. The Bezannians had achieved so much in such a short time it was difficult for anyone to tell them to stop. One of the more interesting buildings built within the Bezannian compound was an ornate white building that served as the residence of the Duchess of Azurehall, who had taken residence and established an office there. But she quickly announced she was in the market for more land around the economic zone for a larger residence. She identified a large hill near the coast for her ideal residence and put up personal offers to purchase it. In turn more and more individual Bezannians started inquiring about purchasing surrounding land to their compound. While the compound flew the Imperial flag this community of Bezannians were to simply be private residences close to the economic zone. But then came another sign of trouble to some. When the Bezannians started buying land they started forming what could only be described as an informal police armed and trained like a militia. This small armed group, when questioned, stated they existed to protect the private Bezannian residences. They were not military, clearly something else. Mister Lux was the only person who could have recognised what this militia police was. He would have known them as Estate Guards, a type of mercenary force hired by the nobility to protect their estates and persons in place of police. But if he ever told anyone this fact or even bothered to connect the dots was his burden. The estate guards on Elysium did not venture past Bezannian property lines and kept to themselves.

The Bezannians would be welcomed to all establishments they went to. For a world with a rather varied range of sentient life. Xenophobia was a very rare concept to be found within Elysian society. Perhaps if they had come centuries ago with the world wasn’t so unified that they would bear witness to divisions between the races of the world. Thankfully, they don’t have to see that. Such scars were long gone. However there were some elements of bias to be found. But none that came up for them. Not when they get to experience the splendor of this world. In which it was mostly post scarcity. Many goods and services were practically free of charge.

Such leisure was thanks to a portion of the populace that were able to achieve unimaginable feats. Some of which seemingly defy the laws that govern the universe. Even by mystical standards. Many of these were seen as part of the labor force that went to set up a plot of land in East Griffonia. Overseen by Lux and potentially others. The workforce made quick work. The plot of land that the Duchess now has under a lease was rather special. Where the river Agon meets the sea and the slopes of the mountainous lands of East Griffonia roll into gentle valleys, once laid the city of Nimbusi, the former capital of Nimbusia.

Very long ago, when the ponies first came to the Riverlands, legend had it that only the pegasi were able to tame the mountainous lands of its far east. Many proud cities were founded in the valleys between the mountains, inland and along the coast, but none would reach the fame of Nimbusi. The city, like many in Nimbusia, is built around the highest point, the Akropolis. Serving as a refuge during siege and troubled times, it has gotten somewhat of a sacred status amongst the residents, who erected temples to their pantheon on this hill.

Nowadays however, there is no obvious sign that the majestic architecture of the Nimbusians once stood here. All one could see at first glance were the tamed hills and the Notameme Ocean to the east. Further east one would find the expanse of the Monster Ocean. Beyond that is the Panthalassic Ocean that separates Griffonia from Equus. Upon closer inspection, one would find ancient remains of the past. Whether it be abandoned caves, skeletal ruins of a temple, forgotten vaults. Especially on the mountains. Lux made a note to the Bezzanians that they were free to scavenge what they found as a kind gesture.

They will come to learn what happened to the ancient city of Nimbusi that was once bustling in the region. Simply put, it was destroyed. The Psion who came here seven hundred years ago led to what was left of the city to be stripped of everything valuable. Leaving the place to finally be retaken by nature. Once it was retaken, the echoes of past battles would become visible again.

As the Bezannian workers are aided by the Elysians. It became known that they continue to only deal and barter with other corporations. This was due to the lack of a defined ‘nationhood’ for the natives of the system. Instead they were ‘loyal’ to their settlement or colony. It was truly laid to rest when the Psion came all those years ago. Culture and faith were all but wiped recycled by the Psion in order to ‘make something new’. The Bezannians would come to see more of the Psion’s handiwork throughout the system.

The most notable being the impressive colony of Zel on Elyium’s star. Or rather it was. For no one lived there anymore. Hence the reason it’s not populated anymore. The Psion had gutted it of all the inhabitants. Leaving it nothing more as a husk of a bygone age. While it was possible to scavenge it for resources. It was left as a silent tomb for all the lives that were lost during the reign of the cruel Run. Aside from Zel, it turns out that about half of the colonies in the system were empty. Luz and other businessmen haggled away what it left for the Bezannians to use for resources.

Mister Lux is one of the many who doesn’t see them bound to the notion of a ‘country’, Seeing the universe as that divided up by economic spheres and industries. LuxCorp, as some would put it, was his ‘trade empire’. The movers and shakers that would interact with him would find him as nothing less than a genius when it came to making a profit. Lux was a man who embodies the concept of soft power.

Overall, the circumstances gave the Bexannians quite the breathing room to stake their presence on Elysium. If they were smart they could essentially own the entirety of the province that their owned land was a part of. Which was a good few hundred miles of land in total. By now, grumblings begin to occur with the other companies and other economic blocs in response to the new player on the board. But nothing serious yet.

The labourers were paid in lodging and food, as the Bezannian currency was seemingly worthless to the locals. The Duchess herself was especially interested in the ruins of Nimbusi. Within weeks she had an expeditionary team from the Rugerheim museum along with several mercenaries. The teams were not very pleasant with the locals but instead scoured and relentlessly explored the ruins and vaults of Nimbusia. The Bezannians seemed right at home already as their explorers picked over the ruins and their men built a small community by the aetheric promenade. The Duchess’ estate in the hills near the former Akropolis, named Aiguillemont. The grand blue and white palace was taking shape accordingly. It was to be a true and proper palace, and would encompass a great amount of land. Already even experts were coming in to furnish the palace with exotic furniture and began erecting a lavish garden. The revelation that the planet was entirely based on local loyalties instead of one national identity piqued the interest of the Duchess.

Lux was well taken care of by the Bezannians, he was invited many times to the Duchess’ palace for lavish dinners. And every time he went he saw the Bezannian city taking shape. Yavelstow was the name of the city that was being built, Yaveling Hill was where they stood by the Akropolis, and Yavelingfleet was community that lined the river to the hills. In fact the Bezannians had been so bold as to name their province Yavelshire. Mister Lux himself was afforded a certain grace and so was LuxCorp. Though the other corporations would find themselves less well respected.

When Zel was introduced to the Duchess Bezannian ships swarmed the solar colony. Their ships explored all colonies in fact, as time went on the Bezannians flooded the system with more and more ships. Not only bringing supplies but colonists, so called labourers and sightseers who were pursuing work. And with these ships came warships to protect the trade and traffic. As time went on the Bezannians seemed to respect any local authority less and less. They responded to hails less frequently, Bezannian ships always demanded right of way in encounters, and worryingly the warships started acting like security around the system. Whaling and fishing operations moved in as well, hunting for pods of etherwhales or schools of fish. But the Duchess of Azurehall assured Mister Lux these precautions were performed to protect Bezannian trade.