Act 3 Scene 2:
(The bridge of the ND Narcissus is a commanding space adorned with intricate brass and woodwork. A massive central command console stands as the focal point, surrounded by navigation stations and communication arrays. Ætheric lighting bathes the room, casting shadows on the faces of the officers present. The air is thick with tension as the crew goes about their duties under the watchful gaze of Aeroadmiral Noble. Earl Bigot stands alongside Aeroadmiral Noble, overseeing the operations with a stern expression)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZvpWQWLm3
(Lord Preen enters, his head held high, an air of nobility and command surrounds the young aristocrat)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqupSI5NEMB
Earl Bigot: Lord Preen, you stand on the precipice of destiny. I prepare you not just for succession but for the grandeur of leading Narciss to unparalleled heights when the time is ripe.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG2nuLUQkk
Lord Preen: Your guidance is my honour, father. I shall strive to meet the expectations laid before me.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBuaA00y2j
Earl Bigot: My esteemed son, there is an unholy alliance, a coalition of the Æther Defence Fleet and the Order of the Dragoon, conspires against us. Yet, fear not, for our well-placed agents have unravelled their designs. Pray, Aeroadmiral Noble, unfurl the details of our counter-stratagem.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LkJboOGvV
Admiral Noble: The Dreadnought, our invincible ND Narcissus, takes its position at the center, a formidable force commanding the very essence of power. Flanking its right, left, and bottom are the Heavy Cruisers—Dominion, Majesty, and Supremacy—guards of grandeur. In a delicate dance surrounding the fleet’s outer edges, the Light Cruisers—Elegance, Regalia, Grandeur, Wealth, Power, and Sovereign—form an ornate screen, shielding us from threats on the horizon. Hovering above, like vigilant phantoms, the Wraiths—Spectre, Phantom, Ethereal, Apparition, Shade, Haunt, Wraith, Poltergeist, Ghost, and Spirit—maintain an ethereal presence. They serve as our eyes, wielding enhanced ætheric disruptors and aerial torpedoes with silent mastery. Within the chambers of our Heavy Cruisers and the heart of the Dreadnought itself, our Strikers rest, ready to be unleashed when the time is right. Each element of our formation, meticulously positioned, embodies the artistry of warfare, ensuring our dominance in the coming conflict.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ymum2Lirj
Lord Preen: (Curious) What do we know about the coalition?
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaVg3802VO
Aeroadmiral Noble: The coalition's strength lies in its united forces—the Æther Defence Fleet's advanced airship technology combines seamlessly with the Order of the Dragoon's magical prowess. However, their internal strife and conflicting methodologies could prove to be a critical weakness. We shall exploit this division to our advantage, striking with precision and overwhelming force.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagQmPheBzm
(Lord Preen nods at this)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoSMgTgex8
Earl Bigot: Lord Preen, to solidify your place as the future leader, there is one last task you must undertake to prove your worthiness. A decision of strategic significance that will showcase your commitment to the success of the Narcissian Fleet.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm86fjRmRyq
Lord Preen: Father, I am ready to prove myself. Tell me the task you wish for me to undertake, and it shall be done with unwavering loyalty.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxC93EqmD7
Earl Bigot: Preen, there's one last task to prove your worth. Finish what you started, (To Admiral Noble) bring her in.
Aeroadmiral Noble: Already done, your Eminence.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDzGcgp5FV
(Two men wearing white naval uniforms enter, the protagonist is held between them)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23K1JQcIvi
(Earl Bigot hands Lord Preen an extravagantly ornate clockwork bow, white with golden detailing)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh31zLpNGcU
Earl Bigot: Lord Preen, this task is not only a testament to your loyalty but an opportunity to enhance the very fabric of our power. The wings of the Ætherium are a conduit to the skies, intertwining with the Æther itself. They hold the potential to amplify the might of the Ætheric Storm Generator. This duty serves both as a trial and as a contribution to Narciss's ascendancy. Do not falter; embrace the path laid before you.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlx6LiYEWe
Lord Preen: Father, your ambition for power is undeniable, but surely there are other paths that won't forever tarnish our family name. To execute an innocent young woman for the sake of power is a stain that will echo through our legacy. There must be another way to secure our ascendancy without committing such an irreversible act.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgz8nEHzMU
Earl Bigot: (Angry) Will you be a failure, Lord Preen? Do you lack the fortitude to hunt this game, to make the necessary sacrifices for the prosperity of our lineage? Are you so feeble that you would wilt under the weight of responsibility? Do you wish to be a disappointment, a feeble echo of my legacy? This is the path to our family’s greatness, and you will not falter now.
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPdMzNYHjg
Lord Preen: (Resigned) Very well, Father. (He takes aim at the heart of the protagonist)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXydzCIKo0
(The two men holding her leave)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziUXf8FQ1m
(The lights black out abruptly, ending the scene in darkness)
134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8SCEpN8fz
