Benjamin slowly strode down one of the Sepulcher's many hallways. Despite the number of individuals who called it home, most of the time these halls were empty. It was a strange yet welcoming feeling for Benjamin, especially in times like this. No matter where he went, it always seemed like violence was always following him; like he never had a chance to rest. The Empire was off to war once again - this time against a new enemy that held to old ideas. So far he had managed to avoid involvement in the conflict, but Benjamin knew that when heresy was present, it was only a matter of time before he and his warriors were called upon.
Benjamin entered one of the combat chambers to find the person he was looking for - Katrina. She was his greatest student and his dedicated, loving wife. In truth, he wished he could shield her from the violence and horrors of the universe, but he knew that they had little choice. After all, defense of humanity was why Yelandar had created their kind in the first place.
Katrina leapt onto one of the combat drones, plunging her legendary sword, Durandal, into the machine's arm. A loud crack could be heard as the sword gutted the drone's inner circuitry.
Katrina jumped once again, spun around, and kicked the drone into its nearby comrade before the latter had a chance to fire its submachine gun. The drones went crashing into the bookshelf nearby, as Katrina prepared to deliver the killing blow.
Durandal struck true once again, and Katrina smiled at her accomplishment. She had been at this all day; how many of these machines had fallen to her mighty blade? Admittedly, petty duels with machines like this became boring after a while; Katrina could feel the craving for real battle.
Benjamin slowly clapped his hands, as Katrina turned to face him, smiling. She was always happy to see him.
Benjamin the Intolerant - "I hope you saved some for the rest of us."
Katrina Candor - "If not, we can always buy more."
Benjamin - "Well they don't exactly grow on trees."
Katrina - "Then let's hope a real adversary shows up so we can spare some training droids."
The two Knights embraced, and kissed. Benjamin was always willing to make time to spend with Katrina; she was the one thing that comforted him in the dark, savage universe where he lived. He could not have asked for a more perfect partner. After four thousand years, they relationship had grown to be unbreakable, and when together, Benjamin and Katrina were invincible.
Benjamin - "I have a gift for you. Well, a gift and a mission."
Katrina - "Where am I off to this time?"
Benjamin - "I take it you've already heard the news about this 'OASIS' bunch?"
Katrina - "Of course; you'd think the media in this galaxy couldn't think of anything else. I know the Empire's going to war with them, I assume they want us to lead the charge?"
Benjamin - "Not quite. The Empire has begun to form a Coalition with other Brikverse powers to respond to the OASIS threat. Of course, the idea of the Empire allying itself with other nations has the Federation scared."
Katrina - "Why should they be? The Empire and the Federation have been on good terms for decades now."
Benjamin - "Old hatreds can run deep, and it takes only a small spark to bring them back up again. President Drummond is concerned that once OASIS is finished, the Calvarians will turn on him next, using the overwhelming power of their new allies to take another shot at the Federation. Drummond has put his military on full alert, and has already requested aid from both COMTEN and us."
Katrina - "What kind of aid?"
Benjamin - "Military support in the event of an invasion, but let's hope it doesn't come to that. Anyway, I want you to take this control index for a Pilgrim Starfighter, and travel to our hold on Dorylaeum in the McFadden Rift. The Calvarian fleet will be moving through the region to reach their allies in Galaxia Nehellenium, and you know the history of McFadden means that anything could happen there. You're going there to join up with our forces stationed on the planet and act as a deterrent. Both the Empire and the Federation will think twice about trying anything with Lady Candor present in the region." Katrina smiled.
Katrina - "So I'm basically just going to be standing around looking scary?"
Benjamin - "Unless something goes down as the Calvarians move through, then yes."
Katrina - "What about the militias and renegades in the region?"
Benjamin - "They may pose a threat, but I wouldn't count on it. It's likely that the Calvarian renegades will become emboldened by the movements of the loyalist fleet, but they won't try anything with you, COMTEN, and the loyalists present."
Katrina - "I guess I'm off to Dorylaeum then."
Benjamin - "One more thing. Be on the lookout for anyone associating themselves with OASIS. So far we don't have any reports confirming their presence in the region, but seeing as to how McFadden is always highly contested, it would be a prime spot for them to try and sneak into either the Empire or the Federation."
Katrina - "Do you think they pose a threat to Aldasveign?"
Benjamin - "We're much too deep in Calvarian territory for that, but our holds in McFadden might be at risk. You have another purpose on Dorylaeum besides just being a deterrent; I need you to keep an eye out for any signs of OASIS attempting to slip into Calvarian space."
Katrina - "Understood."
Benjamin - "Be careful. I love you."
Katrina - "And I love you as well."
Katrina proceeded to the hangars of the Knight's Fortress. She wondered why Benjamin wanted her to travel alone in a Pilgrim, but perhaps it would be easier to avoid detection that way. She was a capable pilot, and hopefully her journey to Dorylaeum would be a peaceful one. There were far more dangers than just militia and renegade activity - pirates, aliens, and any number of space phenomena could present a problem in the treacherous Rift. Yet she had a mission to see to, and Katrina had endured far worse than whatever threats those enemies might provide.
Katrina - "All systems look green,"
Pilgrim AI - "All systems nominal; Pilgrim is readied for long-distance travel. Input destination."
Katrina - "Knight bastion, planet Dorylaeum."
Pilgrim AI - "Destination selected. Preparing for lift."
Katrina - "Looks like I'm getting my wish..."