An alarm sounded inside Takrin Defense Central, causing several guards to immediately jump up and begin reading off the information.  "Incoming warfleet at one one three mark oh eight niner.  Range, 2 light seconds," called the main sensor operator.<br/><br/>A woman in a semi-transparent black body-suit brought up the tactical overlay, with the enemy ships identified by red triangles and hazy red cones signifying their possible courses, while small blue triangles began to converge on the enemy warships.  "Alert the Nei we have incoming warships of unknown intent.  What's their IFF readings?"<br/><br/>The answer came from one of the scoutships, "<em>IFF readings show Nesstren origin.  Dreadnaught classification.</em>"<br/><br/>The room went silent.  Dreadnaughts were, by and large, considered unstoppable except with other dreadnaughts.  Their high tonnage and powerful guns meant death to anyone who went up against them.  The tiny scoutships were nearing the edge of the dreadnaught's range, though they'd be powerless if the dreadnaught decided to bombard Takrin from their lofty position, or detonate charges inside the minefield to clear the way.<br/><br/>The Nei arrived a few moments later, barking out, "Situation."<br/><br/>The commander on duty saluted, "Nei, there is a Nesstren Dreadnaught 2 lightseconds away form Takrin's defense field.  Tonnage is consistant with the new<em>Glory</em>class they launched."<br/><br/>The Nei nodded, "Very well.  Any communique?"<br/><br/>"None, honorable Nei."<br/><br/>The Nei went to the overwatch station and viewed the situation.  Every available ship around Takrin was ready for a fight, when they suddenly got the message.  It took a moment for the translators to deliver a proper translation.<br/><br/><em>To any imperial channel, this is the Nesstern Dreadnought, Spectral, requesting permission from her Majesty, Nei Ssin'urn J'nesst, for permission to deploy the royal shuttle to the surface to drop off the Nesstern diplomatic envoy, Prince Vakarius, and his guards.</em><br/><br/>The Nei snorted.  No one diverted an entire battlefleet to deliver a brat.  But... "Who is Prince Vakarius?"<br/><br/>"Nei, he is the heir apparent to the Nesstren throne."<br/><br/>The Nei thought about that.  The boy's name had been growing, at least what her spies were reporting.  The Nei, like every other major player in the sector, had listening posts around each major world, hidden from detection and constantly looking for any threats.  The fact that the battlefleet had not come directly from Nesstren meant the boy might actually be in command... something that meant he wouldn't be some spoiled brat come to look at the pretty women.  No... he'd come with an agenda, and he had the firepower to ensure that if he didn't get his way, there would be consequences.<br/><br/>Still... there were always opportunities.<br/><br/>"Signal the pickets to open the field up for the Royal shuttle, but that the<em>Spectral</em>will remain away.  Make sure our construction yards go into stealth mode and halt all flights to Streea.  Have the palace slaves prepare for the Royal greeting, while I prepare.  See to it."<br/><br/>* * *<br/><br/>Six hours passed until the Prince was permitted to enter the Palace.  It had taken two hours to arrive from orbit due to the distances and by Takrin's capital being on the opposite side facing the shuttle, but it had allowed the Prince to view the splendor of Takrin.  Upon settling down on the spaceport, he had been greeted by a procession of women in beautiful blue dresses that contrasted with the dawning sun, each one smiling and decorating his path with the flowers of the Golden Rose.  He had been taken via sudan chair to the Palace, past processions of armed guards each standing in parade dress, that of stark white uniforms that covered them head to toe.  They had covered themselves as opposed to the normal mostly nude uniform.<br/><br/>Arriving at the palace, the Prince would find all the women, even the slaves, dressed.  The slaves wore simple cloth camisks that barely covered their bodies, while all the free women had taken to wearing gowns of a rainbow of colors.  Only one was black, and that was the Empress, who wore hers despite the heat.  The women each had a gown for the special occassions dignitaries of extreme importance came and they were not permitted to be nude.  In this case, the Empress had expressly forbidden nudity while the Prince was here, except for the arena.  That rule might be relaxed later, but for now they'd try to appear somewhat civilized by wearing clothes.<br/><br/>All but the Empress stood as the Prince entered the hall, beautiful smiles abounded, while the Empress remained seated on the throne, as standing would indicate she was giving up her seat for him, something that would not stand, no pun intended.  Two criers called out, "The Royal Prince Vakarius," their voices in perfect symphony.