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Description
Previously in Oriana's Chapter: Weirding Out
To learn more about Merchant Federacy, visit: this handy guide .

You'll never be
Genius among fools,
Brave among cowards,
Seeing among blind,
Hearing among deaf,
If you weren't
Fool among geniuses,
Coward among brave,
Blind among seeing,
Deaf among hearing.
- Doge Larka VII, One and Only

***

Spacious arena was set quite some distance from the Pillar, but buildings on the upper terraces still managed to cast shadows over it. During this duel it was also quite unusually crowded. Aside of retinues of Kabal and Tuerre duelists and Respirative agent, large group of Malicans was also present and, in a way to counter them, Tavasts also arrived. Retinues of two major Families of Merchant Federacy, officially invited as guests, easily dwarfed main actors of the day, both with rich clothing (they were obliged to leave weapons and armours in their yachts by War Decree) and numbers.
Oriana yawned loudly and reclined on her seat. Then she patted shoulder of her Sergeant-Commander, earning his attention. Man was seemingly much older than her, with grey hair and wrinkles slowly crawling over his face and grouping around shiny ports that were used to attach face-mask of his armour set, but in fact she was few years older than him - she was a Family Member and duelist, almost immortal as such and he was a veteran from one of their planet's enforcers. He caught her staring, so he coughed politely
- Sorry, still can't get used to seeing your face she blushed. Somewhere. Definitely was embarrassed, even if her carapace was incapable of fully showing it.
- It's okay thankfully, his voice was the same, soft tone she got used to hearing through her comm-set needed something, ma'am?
- Come on, call me Oriana. You saw my naked butt too often to still call me ma'am when we're not wearing an uniform.
He raised an eyebrow. Oriana was wearing her coat, which was, in duelists fashion, revealing more than covering, but it was still official Family colours. He was clad in tight, parade dress, with distinctions and whatnot.
- Ma'am...
- Oh, you know what I meant.
- Fine. That still doesn't answer my question, ma... Oriana.
- Oh, right. I say Hekato will mop up floor with that clown.
Both duelists were standing in their corners. Hekato Kabal among his sergeants, few soldiers in cheap gear, probably not even his retinue but local enforcers. Unlike Oriana, he was covered by rich uniform, with open sleeves flapping behind him. Such modesty was uncommon among duelists, which perfect example was his opponent - Tuerre was wearing barely a loincloth and some weird looking collar that covered his chest with his Family's colours. On his side of Arena sat giant duelist of his guests, same one Oriana had to take down not so long ago. Unlike Hekato, his opponent was already clowning around, swinging massive sword that was most certainly a Tavast production. She swore under nose, angry that, though Kabals were their allies, both them and her own Family refused to trade weapons. Hekato could have unmatched skills, but he lacked technology on his side.
- Is that a bet?
- Would I say something if it wasn't?

***

Ardogast sighed. This was treason. They will surely all die in following days and then whole Merchant Federacy will turn into turmoil. That smelled like plotting so strongly that probably all Freighters in the universe already picked up the scent. Whatever Doge planned, it was plotting. Doge cannot plot. That's how Doge would got themselves killed, if anyone in the past would do it. And they did not, because each of thirty four Larkas before knew that Doge cannot plot. Well, on the bright side, he got to see Spire of the Doges - and what he saw was truly impressive, even if it was barely a short stroll to this hall. They walked a long catwalk hanging above something that Ardogast could refer to only as large planet chunks sewn together. There were animals, but he really doubted they were real. Klones came in all shapes and sizes, all after all, and you could experiment with them much more than with dogs.
Doge still didn't come, which wasn't all that surprising given the size of whole complex, so he decided to check on his company. Most of them he recognised, they were all Assistants - probably, he wasn't sure about Progressive one and, embarrassingly enough, he couldn't even recall his Family name. Others he knew, and so there was Xenon Furor of Imperialists, with symmetric dueling scars on both cheeks, long black mane and grey cloak of commoner over his dark red and silver family colours. What it didn't cover, was quite a lot of obviously empty holsters. This made Ardogast regret that he didn't even brought his sword, not even to mention the Malicans' security officers.
Sitting in some distance from him was Atan Torcadall, unsurprisingly staring angrily at Xenon. Torcadalls were Federalists and, from what Ardogast gathered, one of few bearable ones. Their small alliance didn't have many members, but at least their Family was acting all stupid in name of freedom for everyone, instead of just being stubborn assholes and them shouting their slogans during Council always entertained Malican Assistant. As expected, by his side lied scabbard way too big for anyone else but himself, as he was good half head higher than anyone else and probably twice as wide. Plain jumpsuit he used to disguise himself was already lying tossed in the corner, no way any Torcadall would hide his green-blue colours for longer than absolute minimum.
Progressive sitting between them was a mystery for Ardogast. He had a purple and black robe - the colours didn't match with anything he knew - and his face was covered in plain, white mask with barely three holes in it. Though it could been his face just as well, Progressives were... weird to say the least. After some initial chit-chat, performed no doubt only to show off the beautiful effects of modified voice box, he went silent, crumpling the grey suit on his laps.
And finally, there was Rowena Oberon. Quite obviously. If anyone doubted that after seeing her beautiful face surrounded by snake-like braid and smooth body clad in provocative, green dress with massive purple ornamentation surrounding its deep neckline that ended no sooner but at her pubic mound, there was without a doubt a bunch of servants in Oberons' colours waiting somewhere in the outer layer of Spire for her return. If any Oberon knew the word 'inconspicuous', they probably thought it's disease that strikes the commoners. She stood in the center of room, probably not admired enough yet to be capable of sitting
- Nice piercing, Rowena. Is that new? he finally broke the silence, hoping that discussion would help to kill some time, after eliminating two men glaring at each other and one that he knew absolutely nothing about as possible conversational partners.
- Thank you, Ardogast. Finest example of jewelry you'll ever see, trust me.
- Oh, I don't doubt that. I will see?
- I presume that, like other gentlemen here, you arrived by... public craft she whispered last words, probably too afraid too catch some commonness from them I somehow managed to fight off boredom on my way here, but I'm afraid I won't bear it on my way back. Thus I'm offering you some luxury.
- I'm pretty sure we all could use some luxury, though I doubt there will be much boredom once Doge arrives.
- Others don't appreciate the art Rowena pouted and technological wonder of her face became twice as beautiful thanks to that I guess you're right though. My offer still stands.
She finally sat down, temporarily conquering entirety of sofa in the name of Oberon in single, smooth move. Ardogast loosened up a bit on his seat, crossing his legs. So, a Loyalist, a Progressive, a Federalist, an Imperialist and an Archaic went into Spire...

***

Hekato was in bad shape, with his uniform slashed into pieces and revealing wounds underneath it. Tuerre had obvious technological advantage with his pWEGs almost allowing him to read into Kabal's thoughts, but his skills were sorely lacking. Whenever he broke through his opponent's block, he allowed too much space for dodge, barely touching him. On the other hand, Hekato had only three openings so far, but this was enough to give other man visible limp and land two hits square on his head. They were standing in front of each other again, their pWEGs humming sad melody of the duel. Finally they jumped forward and Oriana regretted she couldn't warm up her own pWEGs to see entirety of the exchange. The two danced together, Tuerre wobbly a bit, and at the end of swift move Hekato was the only one standing, his sabre still high from vicious cut from groin to neck.
- Guh Oriana groaned and her sergeant sent her a surprised look
- Oh? I thought you'd be happy. Hekato won.
- Yeah, maybe, but that was because it was some roach. He'd have no chances against a Tavast.
- Well, what can you do about it? Be thankful Kabals have our back in this, or you'd be one dueling today.
- Me? Not much. Malicans... she bit her tongue ...we can do lot about it. We need to help Kabals and send them some technology. They still can introduce at least prototypes of better pWEGs before next duel.
- You know well our alliance with Kabals is... fragile. Now they have our backs, but when Doge changes...
- Yeah, maybe in next thousand Councils. I'll call Ardogast, he will talk our Head into some help. We should at least send them some of our mod-metal.
She raised from her place to give a hand to Hekato. In the meantime Respirative Agent made her announcements and started opening channels to message the Interpreters.

***

They were staring at Doge Larka, sitting casually in short, white dress, leaving her mod-steel limbs uncovered. She didn't bother with heavy, official cape and was sitting reclined on an armchair, with two Enforcers by her side and two more at the door. Ardogast coughed
- Just so we're clear, our magnificent leader...
- Yes? Doge interrupted harshly. She was obviously already sick of people apparently not understanding her brilliance
- We are to talk all Heads into creating a retinue of duelists...
- Yes.
- ...to accompany you for a whole length of Gyaclean year...
- Yes.
- ...while you, our one and only, travel around.
- I want to see the world!
He tried to focus. He was pretty sure that Spire of Doges was great replacement for seeing the world. Even better, because it was filled with order of devoted, psychotic guards ready to obliterate half of known galaxy with fire if needed to defend their Doge.
- So we are to talk them into your idea...
- Yes.
- ...without letting them know it is yours, our leader?
She sighed. That wasn't good sign.
- Listen, my father had all the time he needed. His mother as well. And over thirty others too. I had none of this. I had this she waved with artificial limbs attached to my body and all I saw was inside of medlab. I became a Doge before I was even able to walk.
- Okay, but why don't you just say that you want it, my most magnificent Doge? Progressive bowed politely
- I have enemies who won't stop even from acting only in spite of me she gazed at Atan, but giant didn't even react they need to seek a possible profit in this idea, not reason to tackle it.
Ardogast slapped his forehead
- You want to use Malicans and Kabals! My magnificent leader, I meant he mumbled you're distracting Tavasts with occasion to let them run wild! this sounded more like accusation than he intended, so at least he stopped pointing at Doge. It would be easier without casual clothing, he kept leaving diplomacy in pocket of official trousers my Doge.
- In short she smiled, genuinely, almost childlike that's why Kabals aren't here. They're my greatest allies, but I'm afraid they'd take this idea wrong.
- So what if we don't agree? Xenon finally spoke. His voice was harsh and broken.
- We will have to agree that this discussion never happened, of course. It would be hard to explain, even for someone willing to shed a light on it.
- I agree in name of Oberons, it seems thrilling Rowena said, keeping her excitation - if Oberons were capable of it - restricted to her voice only. Somehow she managed to lie majestically and sit officially in presence of Doge. Ability to do so would explain what Archaics were doing with all their spare time gathered from bumbling around.
- Torcadalls swore to fight for freedom Atan shrugged even if this gilded cage seems like second best option to it.
- With Archaics backing it up, it's as good as passed Xenon stood up, stretching Furors will lend you a hand anyway.
- Progressives are thrilled that our Doge considered them a side.
Ardogast sat back, fully aware of weight on his shoulders. He hanged his head, to avoid others' looks. Finally, he mumbled
- And so, in most awkward way possible, with Federalists on board, the hardest to convince to fulfill Doge's dream will be no one else but her most faithful Loyalists he raised his head to see Atan nodding I'll dress it in right words. We will have Respiratives to create list of duelists and make sure to break Tavasts' scariest fangs with it.
- I'll accept only the best Larka said coldly.
- Then it is agreed, our most magnificent leader.

Description
Previously in Oriana's Chapter: Weirding Out
To learn more about Merchant Federacy, visit: this handy guide .

You'll never be
Genius among fools,
Brave among cowards,
Seeing among blind,
Hearing among deaf,
If you weren't
Fool among geniuses,
Coward among brave,
Blind among seeing,
Deaf among hearing.
- Doge Larka VII, One and Only

***

Spacious arena was set quite some distance from the Pillar, but buildings on the upper terraces still managed to cast shadows over it. During this duel it was also quite unusually crowded. Aside of retinues of Kabal and Tuerre duelists and Respirative agent, large group of Malicans was also present and, in a way to counter them, Tavasts also arrived. Retinues of two major Families of Merchant Federacy, officially invited as guests, easily dwarfed main actors of the day, both with rich clothing (they were obliged to leave weapons and armours in their yachts by War Decree) and numbers.
Oriana yawned loudly and reclined on her seat. Then she patted shoulder of her Sergeant-Commander, earning his attention. Man was seemingly much older than her, with grey hair and wrinkles slowly crawling over his face and grouping around shiny ports that were used to attach face-mask of his armour set, but in fact she was few years older than him - she was a Family Member and duelist, almost immortal as such and he was a veteran from one of their planet's enforcers. He caught her staring, so he coughed politely
- Sorry, still can't get used to seeing your face she blushed. Somewhere. Definitely was embarrassed, even if her carapace was incapable of fully showing it.
- It's okay thankfully, his voice was the same, soft tone she got used to hearing through her comm-set needed something, ma'am?
- Come on, call me Oriana. You saw my naked butt too often to still call me ma'am when we're not wearing an uniform.
He raised an eyebrow. Oriana was wearing her coat, which was, in duelists fashion, revealing more than covering, but it was still official Family colours. He was clad in tight, parade dress, with distinctions and whatnot.
- Ma'am...
- Oh, you know what I meant.
- Fine. That still doesn't answer my question, ma... Oriana.
- Oh, right. I say Hekato will mop up floor with that clown.
Both duelists were standing in their corners. Hekato Kabal among his sergeants, few soldiers in cheap gear, probably not even his retinue but local enforcers. Unlike Oriana, he was covered by rich uniform, with open sleeves flapping behind him. Such modesty was uncommon among duelists, which perfect example was his opponent - Tuerre was wearing barely a loincloth and some weird looking collar that covered his chest with his Family's colours. On his side of Arena sat giant duelist of his guests, same one Oriana had to take down not so long ago. Unlike Hekato, his opponent was already clowning around, swinging massive sword that was most certainly a Tavast production. She swore under nose, angry that, though Kabals were their allies, both them and her own Family refused to trade weapons. Hekato could have unmatched skills, but he lacked technology on his side.
- Is that a bet?
- Would I say something if it wasn't?

***

Ardogast sighed. This was treason. They will surely all die in following days and then whole Merchant Federacy will turn into turmoil. That smelled like plotting so strongly that probably all Freighters in the universe already picked up the scent. Whatever Doge planned, it was plotting. Doge cannot plot. That's how Doge would got themselves killed, if anyone in the past would do it. And they did not, because each of thirty four Larkas before knew that Doge cannot plot. Well, on the bright side, he got to see Spire of the Doges - and what he saw was truly impressive, even if it was barely a short stroll to this hall. They walked a long catwalk hanging above something that Ardogast could refer to only as large planet chunks sewn together. There were animals, but he really doubted they were real. Klones came in all shapes and sizes, all after all, and you could experiment with them much more than with dogs.
Doge still didn't come, which wasn't all that surprising given the size of whole complex, so he decided to check on his company. Most of them he recognised, they were all Assistants - probably, he wasn't sure about Progressive one and, embarrassingly enough, he couldn't even recall his Family name. Others he knew, and so there was Xenon Furor of Imperialists, with symmetric dueling scars on both cheeks, long black mane and grey cloak of commoner over his dark red and silver family colours. What it didn't cover, was quite a lot of obviously empty holsters. This made Ardogast regret that he didn't even brought his sword, not even to mention the Malicans' security officers.
Sitting in some distance from him was Atan Torcadall, unsurprisingly staring angrily at Xenon. Torcadalls were Federalists and, from what Ardogast gathered, one of few bearable ones. Their small alliance didn't have many members, but at least their Family was acting all stupid in name of freedom for everyone, instead of just being stubborn assholes and them shouting their slogans during Council always entertained Malican Assistant. As expected, by his side lied scabbard way too big for anyone else but himself, as he was good half head higher than anyone else and probably twice as wide. Plain jumpsuit he used to disguise himself was already lying tossed in the corner, no way any Torcadall would hide his green-blue colours for longer than absolute minimum.
Progressive sitting between them was a mystery for Ardogast. He had a purple and black robe - the colours didn't match with anything he knew - and his face was covered in plain, white mask with barely three holes in it. Though it could been his face just as well, Progressives were... weird to say the least. After some initial chit-chat, performed no doubt only to show off the beautiful effects of modified voice box, he went silent, crumpling the grey suit on his laps.
And finally, there was Rowena Oberon. Quite obviously. If anyone doubted that after seeing her beautiful face surrounded by snake-like braid and smooth body clad in provocative, green dress with massive purple ornamentation surrounding its deep neckline that ended no sooner but at her pubic mound, there was without a doubt a bunch of servants in Oberons' colours waiting somewhere in the outer layer of Spire for her return. If any Oberon knew the word 'inconspicuous', they probably thought it's disease that strikes the commoners. She stood in the center of room, probably not admired enough yet to be capable of sitting
- Nice piercing, Rowena. Is that new? he finally broke the silence, hoping that discussion would help to kill some time, after eliminating two men glaring at each other and one that he knew absolutely nothing about as possible conversational partners.
- Thank you, Ardogast. Finest example of jewelry you'll ever see, trust me.
- Oh, I don't doubt that. I will see?
- I presume that, like other gentlemen here, you arrived by... public craft she whispered last words, probably too afraid too catch some commonness from them I somehow managed to fight off boredom on my way here, but I'm afraid I won't bear it on my way back. Thus I'm offering you some luxury.
- I'm pretty sure we all could use some luxury, though I doubt there will be much boredom once Doge arrives.
- Others don't appreciate the art Rowena pouted and technological wonder of her face became twice as beautiful thanks to that I guess you're right though. My offer still stands.
She finally sat down, temporarily conquering entirety of sofa in the name of Oberon in single, smooth move. Ardogast loosened up a bit on his seat, crossing his legs. So, a Loyalist, a Progressive, a Federalist, an Imperialist and an Archaic went into Spire...

***

Hekato was in bad shape, with his uniform slashed into pieces and revealing wounds underneath it. Tuerre had obvious technological advantage with his pWEGs almost allowing him to read into Kabal's thoughts, but his skills were sorely lacking. Whenever he broke through his opponent's block, he allowed too much space for dodge, barely touching him. On the other hand, Hekato had only three openings so far, but this was enough to give other man visible limp and land two hits square on his head. They were standing in front of each other again, their pWEGs humming sad melody of the duel. Finally they jumped forward and Oriana regretted she couldn't warm up her own pWEGs to see entirety of the exchange. The two danced together, Tuerre wobbly a bit, and at the end of swift move Hekato was the only one standing, his sabre still high from vicious cut from groin to neck.
- Guh Oriana groaned and her sergeant sent her a surprised look
- Oh? I thought you'd be happy. Hekato won.
- Yeah, maybe, but that was because it was some roach. He'd have no chances against a Tavast.
- Well, what can you do about it? Be thankful Kabals have our back in this, or you'd be one dueling today.
- Me? Not much. Malicans... she bit her tongue ...we can do lot about it. We need to help Kabals and send them some technology. They still can introduce at least prototypes of better pWEGs before next duel.
- You know well our alliance with Kabals is... fragile. Now they have our backs, but when Doge changes...
- Yeah, maybe in next thousand Councils. I'll call Ardogast, he will talk our Head into some help. We should at least send them some of our mod-metal.
She raised from her place to give a hand to Hekato. In the meantime Respirative Agent made her announcements and started opening channels to message the Interpreters.

***

They were staring at Doge Larka, sitting casually in short, white dress, leaving her mod-steel limbs uncovered. She didn't bother with heavy, official cape and was sitting reclined on an armchair, with two Enforcers by her side and two more at the door. Ardogast coughed
- Just so we're clear, our magnificent leader...
- Yes? Doge interrupted harshly. She was obviously already sick of people apparently not understanding her brilliance
- We are to talk all Heads into creating a retinue of duelists...
- Yes.
- ...to accompany you for a whole length of Gyaclean year...
- Yes.
- ...while you, our one and only, travel around.
- I want to see the world!
He tried to focus. He was pretty sure that Spire of Doges was great replacement for seeing the world. Even better, because it was filled with order of devoted, psychotic guards ready to obliterate half of known galaxy with fire if needed to defend their Doge.
- So we are to talk them into your idea...
- Yes.
- ...without letting them know it is yours, our leader?
She sighed. That wasn't good sign.
- Listen, my father had all the time he needed. His mother as well. And over thirty others too. I had none of this. I had this she waved with artificial limbs attached to my body and all I saw was inside of medlab. I became a Doge before I was even able to walk.
- Okay, but why don't you just say that you want it, my most magnificent Doge? Progressive bowed politely
- I have enemies who won't stop even from acting only in spite of me she gazed at Atan, but giant didn't even react they need to seek a possible profit in this idea, not reason to tackle it.
Ardogast slapped his forehead
- You want to use Malicans and Kabals! My magnificent leader, I meant he mumbled you're distracting Tavasts with occasion to let them run wild! this sounded more like accusation than he intended, so at least he stopped pointing at Doge. It would be easier without casual clothing, he kept leaving diplomacy in pocket of official trousers my Doge.
- In short she smiled, genuinely, almost childlike that's why Kabals aren't here. They're my greatest allies, but I'm afraid they'd take this idea wrong.
- So what if we don't agree? Xenon finally spoke. His voice was harsh and broken.
- We will have to agree that this discussion never happened, of course. It would be hard to explain, even for someone willing to shed a light on it.
- I agree in name of Oberons, it seems thrilling Rowena said, keeping her excitation - if Oberons were capable of it - restricted to her voice only. Somehow she managed to lie majestically and sit officially in presence of Doge. Ability to do so would explain what Archaics were doing with all their spare time gathered from bumbling around.
- Torcadalls swore to fight for freedom Atan shrugged even if this gilded cage seems like second best option to it.
- With Archaics backing it up, it's as good as passed Xenon stood up, stretching Furors will lend you a hand anyway.
- Progressives are thrilled that our Doge considered them a side.
Ardogast sat back, fully aware of weight on his shoulders. He hanged his head, to avoid others' looks. Finally, he mumbled
- And so, in most awkward way possible, with Federalists on board, the hardest to convince to fulfill Doge's dream will be no one else but her most faithful Loyalists he raised his head to see Atan nodding I'll dress it in right words. We will have Respiratives to create list of duelists and make sure to break Tavasts' scariest fangs with it.
- I'll accept only the best Larka said coldly.
- Then it is agreed, our most magnificent leader.