Dalbot, Seat of House Archer

[Poach]

Income

Base: 90,000 Crowns Bonuses: +10% (Beauregard's traits), +15% (Slaves) Total: 112,500 Crowns (125%)

Trade

Own Resource: Electronics (45,000 Crowns) Trade 1: Slaves (Delpha) Trade 2:

Buildings

Civil: 1. Trade Hub 2. Industrial and Business Zone 3. Industrial and Business Zone (05/05) 4. 5. Military: 1. Military Sensor Array 2. Civil Defence Force 3-5. Military Shipyards

Levies

Land Medium: 1,000 Points 850,000 men in 17 Legions: 6 Armoured Legions (450 points) 11 Infantry Legions (550 points) Space Medium: 1,000 Points 2 Battleships (Archer Class: ISS Archer, ISS Longbow) (200 points) 6 Heavy Cruisers (Vigilant Class: ISS Vigilant, ISS Veracity, ISS Valour, ISS Valiant, ISS Vigorous, ISS Viper) (300 points) 20 Light Cruiser Squadrons (Bulwark Class) (300 points) 8 Destroyer Squadrons (Dagger Class) (200 points)

Standing Forces

None.

[Pericles of Athens]

A luxury Yachting Space-Craft drops out of Jump Space deep inside the Dalbot system, on its approach toward the capital world of the system the ship's crew transmits a code identifying itself as a Gamora vessel. They stand by waiting for clearance, requesting landing permission from the planetside Space Traffic Control Tower and audience with a member of House Archer when possible.

[Ganbarenippon]

Sir Stefan Nazarian wishes to begin a communication by hologram with Lord Archer or his representative.

[Zectorman]

A holo-message from the capital of Terra, the Lord Treasurer wishes to speak to the lord of House Archer.

[Poach]

[OOC: all three happen on separate occasions.]

Pericles:

The craft is swiftly given priority descent authorisation after it's codes are verified. The yacht is escorted through the planet's atmosphere by a patrol ship and directed to dock at the Archer family's personal spaceport: a very small complex, but never having to deal with heavy traffic.

A car is found to be awaiting them and the occupants are taken along the highway towards the stately residence of the Archer Household. Entering through the gates, the building is a grand stonework mansion built as a hollow square. They enter under an archway into the centre where they disembark and enter the building itself. Escorted through high hallways by a butler they appear at Beauregard's study and are shown in.

"House Gamora," said Beauregard, looking up from the screen he was fixated upon at their arrival, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

* * * * *

Zectorman/Ganb:

The screen flashes into light as a holographic representation of Beauregard sitting in a rich leather recliner constructs itself before the caller.

"How may I help you today, Nazarian/Lord Treasurer?"

[Ganbarenippon]

"My Lord Beauregard. Apologies, it would seem the matter of which Sir Stefan wished to speak with you is no longer pertinent." A harried-looking attendant replies. "He begs your pardon for having wasted your time."

[Poach]

"Bah!" he said with a wave as the hologram faded into darkness. He returned to his reading.

[Pericles of Athens]

The man before him grins, he was tall and toned, particularly for his age, complimented by dark brown hair and silvery Gamora eyes. He was recognizable to the Lord Archer as Aenomaus, twin of the High Lord of Delpha.

"Do we truly need a reason to visit our Sister System?" he gave the aging lord a slight grin, "Though I do come with business to discuss, my Lord. My brother has invested in upgrading the Delphan trading networks and once these upgrades are completed we will find ourselves in need of trading partners. Delpha produces many millions of Reptilians in a Solar Cycle, more than even the House Gamora can possibly put to work, and from what I understand you're own slave population has an extremely high mortality rate..perhaps an arrangement can be reached. Delphan Reptilians for Dalbotan Electronics?"

[Poach]

Beauregard grinned slyly. It was only last week he was consulting with his treasurer and manpower advisors regarding keeping a steady slave influx. They'd initiated their own forced breeding programmes but they paled in comparison to the industrial-scaled operation that Systems like Delpha had organised.

"An excellent proposal," said Beauregard, "In these troubling times having a secure trading network can be of benefit to us all. Political worries must not allow us to become distracted from the cause of keeping the Reptilian foe on the ground."

[Pericles of Athens]

"Wiser words were never spoken my Lord. The most important duty of all is to keep the Reptilian menace in check, a burden that falls upon the Warden Houses..the fact that doing our duty also lines our pockets is just a happy coincidence. Yet all the other Lords clamor over themselves to insult and even oppress our way." Aenomaus grins slyly, "In trying times such as these we Wardens must stand united, I am glad you too see trade as a foundation to our relationship."

[Poach]

"Yes, let them." said Beauregard, knowing the insult was directed at the Merchant Lords along the southern and western reaches of Slaver space, "A healthy internal slave trade will stop those from our own ranks from looking abroad for mercantile opportunity: the Merchant Lords will be quick to capitalise on an opportunity to expand Slavery if they got the chance: they crave our labour supply. Let us be thankful the status quo favours our position."

[Pericles of Athens]

"It is as you have said. Trading slaves in mass outside the Systems is bad for business..particularly my House's end of it. So with your leave I shall return to Delpha bearing good news of friendship and trade."

[Poach]

"Of course, of course," said Beauregard, struggling to his feet and fetching his cane to walk Aenomaus to the door through which he entered, "Go in peace and safety."

[M D]

A solitary civilian vessel came out of jump just outside of orbit for the Dalbot System.

"ICS Sabre requesting permission to approach and dock. One passenger, Lord Commissar Gaunt."

The ship entered orbit, awaiting a response.

[Poach]

As with the vessel of House Gamora, it is given priority landing at the Archer's own spacepad and the Commissar is shuttled directly to Beauregard's stately home. He soon finds himself sitting with the old Lord in a well appointed study.

"Ibram!" said Beauregard as Gaunt entered the room. Lord Archer always enjoyed meeting the man: stern and militaristic, like a Marcher, but cultured and educted, like a Slaver.

"What can I do for you today?" ​he asked, offering a glass of whisky as the Commissar sat.

[M D]

Gaunt took the glass from Beauregard but remained standing,

"Forgive me, Lord Archer, but I come with less than pleasurable news. This morning I received intelligence from our Commissariat teams on the Slave Planet of Regina, that there is a small scale revolt that has taken control of a mining outpost in the Southern Hemisphere. I have come..."

Taking a drink now, reminding himself of how excellent the drinks on Dalbot always were,

"To inform you that as of moments ago, I have called on the raising of some of my levies. There is nothing to be concerned about, I imagine this.... Problem will be dealt with without delay. The reason behind the revolt is unclear, and I doubt we'll ever know. But I would suggest you also are weary of your own controlled scum."

[Poach]

"Most disturbing," said Beauregard with a nod, "I'll alert my own planetary authorities immediately and have them remain extra vigilant until the revolt has passed. If the worst should happen and this disorder spreads, know my forces stand ready to come to your aid should you request it."

[M D]

"Thank you, Beauregard. It is unfortunate I could not stay longer, for I do enjoy your hospitality. But I am afraid there are more pressing issues to deal with. Of course I do not need to point out this conversation must remain between us..."

Finishing his drink, Gaunt shook Archer's hand and left for his shuttle.