All Hail the Emperor

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Public Orni Pad -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

A public ornithopter pad, to be used to access the Pipes down below.

Cesare climbs out of the Moritani Ornithopter.
Cesare has arrived.

The Corrino Ornithopter lifts up into the sky and departs.

The Moritani Ornithopter lifts up into the sky and departs.

Cesare exeunts the Moritani ornithopter, followed by several stragglers-
on.

Sidra climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Umar climbs up the Marble Stairs.

As Elio steps out of his vehicle, he pulls down on the ends of his 
jacket, straightening it back into its starched position.

Sidra scans the faces of all present, and curtseys deeply

Cesare stands aloofly to one side of ornithopter pad, staring out at the 
brilliant Kaitain cityscape.

Sartori climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Umar walks quietly onto the Orni pad seeming altogether unimpressed, he 
dows briefly towards cesare as he stants near sidra.

Sartori walks to a strategic postion and waits

Cesare nods curtly to the Bajazet delegation, not longer than 
neccessarily, but not so brief as to be impolite.

Sartori bows to elio

Nodding to one or two folks nearby, Elio smiles as he notes a fellow 
officer. He returns the bow and seems to suddenly relax.

Sidra bows her head and curtseys quickly to Sartori.

Dominic climbs up the Marble Stairs.

With his hand on his sabre, and his sabrerattling in its sabretache, the 
Brigadier comes onto the Ornithopter Pad, and surveys the scene. His 
nostrils flare as he inhales. He shakes his head and then strides off to 
stand near a fellow Sardaukar officer.

Cristobal climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Sidra cutrseys to both Cristobal And Dominic.

Cesare looks around, eyes alighting upon several Corrino courtiers and 
officers of note and rank.

Sartori walks twords Elio

The Ginaz Staatkanzler comes onto the Pad and surveys the scene, taking 
note of the Moritani. He bows slightly towards Sidra and walks toward 
her.

Vendors of various sorts stroll amongst the already gathering crowds. 
"Ice cream.. ice cold Ice cream..."

"... fruits... fresh fruits.."

"would M'Lady like some bread..."

Steffan climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Ulrich climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Sidra greets Staatskantzler Dominic.

Cesare steels his jaw as the Ginaz begin to waft into the room. He turns 
to some of the vendors and notes, "I believe all the fruits we'll need 
have just arrived."

Sartori whispers, "ive heard this new design is flawed , unsafe"

"How about some flowers then..." The vendor persists on the Moritani 
Count.

Elio straightens as Sartori whispers something to him. He clears his 
throat, "I see."

Cesare nods, and purchases a fine rose, which he holds close to his 
nostrils, "A foul stench has set upon the city tonight. Reminds me of 
Marchinko."

Umar Bows in steffans direction. he looks up as cesare comments, saying 
nothing he continues to watch the proceedings with a critical eye.

Sidra folds her hands and stands formally beside Lord Suk Umar.

Dominic bows to Sidra. "Good evening, Vizier Nevt. I hope all is well." 
He glances toward Cesare, and then looks in Steffan's direction.

Jeon straightens his uniform dolman, and then folds his arms in mild 
disgust. He shakes his head, muttering something about bowing and 
scraping.

"M'Lord has an acute sense of smell." The vendor continues for a moment 
longer with Cesare before pattering away to find his next victim... 
er... customer.

Steffan bows to all as he enters but gives the Moritani Count a cold 
stare at first. He then smiles thinly, "Well old men can do little else 
but to insult, since their other skills have withered away..."

Leaning forward, Elio whispers something back to Sartori.

Cristobal pokes about, staying out of the main circles. Cristobal is 
quite content to remain in the backdrop, present yet not a part of the 
gathering.

You whisper, "We must assure this is not true... I trust you will be 
able to make some checks. How many of our men are here tonight?" to 
Sartori.

Josef climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Sartori whispers, "a few"

Rahven climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Dominic bows slightly towards Josef in greeting.

Sartori whispers, "perhaps jeon should be told sir"

Cesare notices the discomfort of the noted officer and walks over, 
granting Jeon a respectful salute. "Greetings . . . Chief of Brigade? 
You will pardon me, sir, but I've very little knowledge of Sardaukar 
ranks."

An elderly woman lurches up towars Sidra, "Some refreshments..." Her 
voice is dry, as if she could probably use some of her own ware herself.

Umar looks briefly at steffan and cesare he shakes his head sadly.

Two Rastanyev guards flank the Regent Josef as he climbs the stairs. He 
makes a polite bow towards Dominic, and then bows to the assembled 
Siridari and high ranking Imperial persons.

Sartori LOOKS at teh various vendors scrutinizing thier belonging

You whisper, "Double it... and make sure one of them checks out the 
thopter before the Emperor arrives. I'll not have any thing embarassing 
happening here." to Sartori.

Sidra shakes her head in a polite refusal.

Sartori whispers, "sir"

Sartori Salutes ELIO and heads for JEon

The old woman smacks her lips lightly at Sidra's response and then 
lurches on her way.

Jeon turns to the Moritani addressing him. He makes a perfect salute 
with completely fluid snaps. Then he holds out his hand to the man, 
"Brigadier, its the military equivalent of Caid. I'm Jeon, how are you, 
sir?"

Rahven walks up the steps and looks around at the group standing on the 
landing pad.

Above, the whirl of ornithopters is starting to grow thicker. All of 
Kaitain has turned out it seems. The buzz of each engine makes the noise 
of the crowd come in waves.

Sartori come to attention before General Jeon," sorry to interupt sir

Cesare smiles and shakes the hand smartly, "A pleasure to make your 
acquaintance . . . Caid Jeon. I was doing just fine and thought this to 
be turning into a pleasant eve before the Ginaz started invading."

Cristobal watches the conversations with some interest. He slowly makes 
his way toward the Moritani Siridar.

Turning his attention from the other officer, Elio his wrinkle-faced 
smile to the old woman who strolls by him.

Sidra nods her head and cursteys slightly to Rahven

Dominic walks toward Josef.

A Ginaz Guard enters and walks over to Steffan and whispers into his 
ear. Steffan nods a few times.

Jeon coughs lightly, his face growing a little stern, "Sir, my rank is 
Brigadier. Caid's are those sorry sons of bitches who get posted to 
dealing with prissy civilians. Brigadier can still feel the grit in his 
teeth." he then turns to the colonel and says, practically barking, "At 
ease, soldier. Whatcha need?"

Rahven Rahven bows slightly to Sidra and nods his head in greeting.

Dominic smiles as he comes to stand in front of Josef. "Good evening, my 
lord. It is good to see you again."

Umar seems visibly startled by Jeons harsh manner of speaking, he 
favours him with a look of distaste.

Sidra smiles and looks pleased at the procediings.

Cristobal nods his head, growing a bit more comfortable with the 
assembled guests.

A Rastanyev Guard quickly moves between the Ginaz Proffesor Bashar and 
the Regent Josef, before Josef nods him back.

Elio is about to take a step forward, when Jeon's words float to his 
ears. He straigthens and gives the man, several years his junior, a 
stern glance like a father would to a son.

Cesare chuckles lightly, obviously quite impressed with the officer's 
brusqueness and matter-of-fact turn of phrase. "I still remember my days 
in the Moritani 12th Brigade. The battlefield is deeply missed, though 
I'm in no amount as seasoned or well-versed in things military as you 
must be, Brigadier."

Sartori remains standing at attention

Josef nods to Dominic. "Indeed, sir. A pleasure."

Jeon places his hands on his hips and tells the Colonel, "Since the 
purpose of this visit is appropriation in nature, Mister, I don't see 
why you can't make a once over at the properly allotted time. Anything 
else." The Brigadier turns to the Moritani and says, "I've seen some 
action. I'm sorry, my friend, but I seem to have missed yer name." He 
grins broadly, "Please don't hold it against me."

Sartori returns to stand near Elio

Cesare laughs hardily and shakes his head, "None taken. I'm just an 
insignificant Count, Cesare Moritani by name . . . former Major in the 
Moritani Armed Legion by rank, and by circumstance now Commander in 
Chief of our Armed Forces."

Shaking his head lightly and chuckling finally, Elio forgoes Jeon's rash 
words and continues to step forward, making his rounds amongst the 
crowd.

Jeon just looked at you.

Sartori whispers, "done sir...may i add that the Harkonnens have been 
putting bad ideas in lord Steffens mind and if the Emporer might spare 
him a word it would go well to smoothing things over"

Dominic nods to Josef and makes his way over to stand by Steffan.

Nodding towards Sartori, Elio makes the curt statement, "Watch them."

Cristobal watches the exchange beteen the Moritani and the Brigadier for 
a few moments. Though he gives neither sign of approval or disaproval, 
he does pay strict attention.

"You be too young to know... why back in my day..."

Jeon sketches another salute, "Glad to hear your military record, 
Milord." The Brigadier offers a small smile, but a raised eyebrow, and 
his fingers move up and down along the hilt of his sabre

Umar mutters to Sidra, "... an... proceeding... they... not get... 
the... do not know..."

Sidra turns her head around and notes Cristobal, lurking about the back 
of the gathering.

Cesare notices the Brigadier's weapon, what with it being accentuated by 
his movements. "A very nice sabre you have there . . . ceremonial or 
functional?"

Looking down, Elio's communicator beeps lightly. He lifts it and speaks 
into the unit.

Josef looks around a bit, making slight hand motions to his guard.

Sartori moves to stand near Umar and Sidra

Jeon says simply, "Both, all Hussars carry it. I'd draw it for you to 
see the stunning craftmanship of this weapon, but once drawn this blade 
must draw blood or the blade must be broken." The Brigadier's face sets 
and doesn't change.

Cristobal looks to Sidra, giving a welcome smile to a familiar face. His 
attention on the military nostalgics fades, as he offers a wave of the 
hand to the Bajazet woman.

Sartori looks to Umar and Sidra " M'lord M"lady

In one breath, Elio turns to Sartori to say, "It's time" and then moves 
to signal the other guards about to clear an area of pedestrians.

Umar looks at Sartori briefly he nods ever so sligtly "Colonel."

Cesare nods with respect for the custom. A slight mischevious glimmer to 
his eyes, the Count quips, "I'd almost take you up on that, what with 
all the Ginaz in the area."

Sartori comes more alert taking a forward postion

"Excuse me... M'Lady. Please move back." Elio moves his way about the 
crowd. "Sir... Lord... thank you... thank you."

Sidra raises a hand and waves a short, friendly wave to Cristoabl

Jeon flashes the Moritani a stern look at his bigotry.

Steffan looks about quietly, hands behind his back, looking quite 
annoyed by the Count, makes his way further into the crowd. He stops for 
a moment to acknowledge the Sardarkar. He then nods, "I wish to 
introduce myself, I am the na-Marquis Steffan Lear. Apparantly, as you 
can see we Ginaz here tend to scare the Count a bit, even those of my 
age..."

Sartori moves people back with efficiant blocks

Dominic follows quietly behind Steffan.

Sidra moves neatly out of the way of the shuffling people.

Sartori eyes Sidra

Slowly but surely, the crowd begins to move back and an area is open.

A bajazet guard wearing a formal uniform moves to umars side, his eyes 
alert.

Cesare snorts indignantly at the na-Marquis' remark. "Not scared, Ginaz. 
I simply believe in the time-honoured tradition of blood for blood . . . 
you draw a trickle and I'll cut a torrent."

Elio pauses and speaks into his communicator again. The sounds of 
ornithopters above suddenly quiets and no further air traffic is heard.

Jeon sketches a salute to Steffan, exactly the same fluid movements he's 
shown Chez. Then the Sardaukar says with nearly clenched teeth, "Charmed 
I'm sure. Perhaps you'd like me to move out of the way so you can do 
whatever it is you people do?"

Fredhrick climbs up the Marble Stairs.

Sartori comes to attention

Umar mutters to Sidra, "... Moritani and the... than... think..."

Cesare steps back, allowing the Brigadier full and easy passage to 
exeunt the increasingly hostile situation.

Sartori moves twords Umar and Sidra

Sardukar flood the in from one side of the crowd. In the middle of this 
grouping is the royal family, Fredhrick, Elrood, Corrin, Theresa and 
Laurin.

Sidra mutters to Umar, "... there... little... in essence"

Umar cracks a slight smile at sidras comment.

Cristobal smiles to Sidra. As the emperor arrives, he stops, watching 
his formal pupil take his place.

Jeon stands at rigid attention and barks out, "Atten-hut!" Then his 
right hand whips up into a perfect salute. He remains absolutely rigid.

Cesare goes immediately to knee as the famille Royal enters, his 
immediate quarrel forgotten.

Sidra mutters to Umar, "Except perhaps,... actually..."

Upon noticing the Emperor's approach, Elio as the other straighten into 
a formal solute.

Umar drops to a knee his head bowed to the ground as the royal family 
enters.

Rahven slowly bends to one knee with the aid of his walking stick

Dominic drops to a knee and bows his head upon the entrance of the royal 
family.

Steffan turns for only a moment totally ignoring Cesare for the moment, 
as the Emperor arrives, he then genuflects gracefully. Closing his eyes, 
and on one knee, "Your Majesty..."

Josef quickly drops to his knee and bows his head, his guards do the 
same, as His Majesty approaches.

Sidra Curtseys down to knee level.

Ulrich quickly drops down on his knees.

Sartori whispers, "somthing is going on sir i just cant place it"

The Sardukar move the Family towards a small dias setup near the 
parameter of the pushed back crowd. Fredhrick holds out his hand to 
assist his wife, Laurin up and then follows.

"You may rise." The Emperor announces as he looks over the crowd.

Umar rises slowly to feet his attention tured toward the small dias.

Sidra rises gracefully to a standing position.

Cesare rises from his prostrate position, looking around at other guests 
and smiling, quite well knowing when to end his politic jibbing.

Dominic rises slowly.

Josef stands slowly, his guards pausing a second and following his lead.

Rahven rises stiffly, with a slight grimace as his left leg straightens

Ulrich rises carefully, arching his back

Steffan steps up slowly , his gaze still fixed to the ground.

Fredhrick's voice carries, "We are pleased to see so many of you 
today... many familiar faces and new." He extends a hand out towards the 
crowd, "We understand that today is a momentous occasion as this 
invention will revolutionize the way everything is done."

Sartori Stiffens

Umar his head bowed as he listens to the emperor speaks.

Jeon drops his hand, but stays at rigid attention, still. His face looks 
straight forward and he doesn't appear to react to anything that is 
said.

Rahven left eyebrow arches, slightly

Turning towards Jeon, Fredhrick smiles, "Brigadier...," choosing the 
formal title, "... shall we show these folks why we have all gathered 
here today?"

Sartori pays close attention

Sidra listens with interest, her heaad slightly bowed but eyes, scanning 
the speaker and the proceedings.

Sartori whispers, "watch Sidra And Umar"

Without turning to look at the Emperor, the Brigadier barks back in 
reply, "Sir, yes sir!" He then adds, "Sire, on your order!"

Lowering himself down into his seat, Fredhrick raises a hand, "So be it! 
Bring in the Ornithopter!"

Sidra mutters to Umar, "... what... innovation..."

Sartori looks to Jeon

Umar seems to pay the Viziers' comments no heed as he watches the 
proceedings.

Jeon bellows at the top of his lungs, looking very unpleasant, "You 
heard the CIC, you stinking bags of puss! Get your sorry asses in gear, 
or I'll kick you so far down you have to look up to see your asses. 
Move!"

Cesare nods approvingly at the blunt language used . . . the lingo of a 
soldier.

Umar is once again starteled by jeons rough manner he looks somwhat 
disgusted he returns to watching the proceedings.

Cristobal stifles a yawn, shaking his head to himself.

There is the sound of thopter jets. It grows quickly, coming from the 
east.

Sartori watches alertly

Cristobal looks up, somewhat tired as he watches yet another fly over, 
yet another demonstration of power.

Turning to face East, Elio lifts his hand to his brow and narrows his 
eyes slightly.

The sound suggests its till some ways away. But suddenly it is above the 
landing pad, its jets making less noise than usual, and the wings 
beating more fluidly.

Fredhrick leans over towards his youngest, Theresa and whispers 
something in her ear.

Sartori scans the arrival closely

Umar looks for a momment at the thopter though he seems rather 
unsurprised by its quick aproach.

Cristobal exchanges some brief comments with a bystander.

Cesare quietly scrutinizes the new craft, no real shock showing on his 
face in stark contrast with the "oohs" and "ahhs" around him.

Jeon comments barely under his breath, in unalloyed joy, "God damn, will 
you take a look at that." He emits a soft whistle.

Sidra watches impassively until she sees the thopter so close, at which 
point her eyes widen in surprise.

Sidra says, "I say...that is an improvement everyone should be able to 
appreciate.."

Rahven cranes his neck as his eyes scan up and down the body of the new 
thopter

Josef nods appreciatively.

Sartori scans crowed and the thopter

Dominic watches the thopter with interest.

Umar stiffles a yawn,looking as if he had better things to do with his 
time.

Steffan peers at the approaching ornithopter and waits patiently.

Jeon pivots on his heel and executes a perfect salute, "Sire, I present 
the new ornithopter for your Imperial inspection."

Elio turns towards Sartori and shrugs lightly, "Looks fine to me."

Nodding, Fredhrick stands and proceeds down towards the new ornithopter.

Sartori whispers, "so does a sheathed slip-tip"

The ornithopter makes a very soft landing, and the wings swing into 
inaction flawlessly.

Jeon Strides off towards the Emperor and makes a salute, "Sire, would 
you prefer I send someone to make a once over for you?"

Some of the crowd lean forward, trying to get a better look. The band 
Sardukar around the parameter hold them back.

"Hm?" Fredhrick turns his attention and obvious admiration from the 
craft to Jeon, "Yes... I think that's a good idea."

Jeon turns around and snaps his fingers at Sartori, "Alright, Mister, 
time to earn that Colonel's rank. Hop to it."

Sartori snaps to attention" yes sir!

Sartori and run to the Thopter to begina full inspection

Elio shakes his head lightly and chuckles as the youth runs off to do 
his duties, "Boys."

Sartori goes over the thopter in great detail

Jeon places his hands on his hips and waits with stern expression for 
the colonel to finish.

Sartori finished, salutes Jeon and bows to the Emporer

Jeon brings his heels together with a click and his hand comes up in 
salute, "Sire, she's all yours."

Sartori remains standing near the thopter

"Excellent." Fredhrick turns and nods towards Corrin and Elrood who 
proceed to join him. "We are pleased to announce this, the first flight 
of the Fredhrick line of Ornithopters."

Jeon psssts to Colonel Sartori, and says quietly, "Follow me, Colonel." 
Then he strides off far out of the area of ther thoper wings. He pivots 
on his heel and stands rigidly there, holding his hand on his sabre 
hilt.

Sartori follows hand on kindjal

Theresa steps up behind her father only to be stopped by a stern gaze 
from the Emperor before he continues on his way down to the 'thopter.

Helen climbs up the Marble Stairs.

The crowds are watching the Emperor and the Princes Elrood and Corrin 
boarding a new Ornithopter.

The hatch opens to the ornithopter and the pilot within greetings them. 
The Three disappear into the thopter and the door seals shut.

Cesare starts to look with concern at the ornithopter which now contains 
the entire future of the Imperial line.

Jeon turns to Sartori and comments quietly ...

Jeon mutters to Sartori, "... is a contingent... soldiers... thopter"

Rahven turns as Helen climbs the stairs and bows from the waist and says 
"Greetings My Lady"

Sartori mouths ahhh

The 'Thopter begins to lift off the ground and hovers there for a 
moment, making a complete revolution so that all can see the Emperor at 
the panel, waving.

Sartori watches closly

With the Emperor safely in the 'thopter, Elio relaxes slightly and 
smiles towards the person next to him, conversing lightly.

Sartori stays alert

The 'thopter lifts and soon is no more than a speck in the sky.

Steffan nods and then smiles as the Lady Helen arrives.

Josef looks on intently, his neck cramping slightly. He takes out his 
ornate cigar case, withdraws a cigar and places the case back in his 
pocket. With a single move, he lights his cigar and takes a puff, all 
while looking at the Thopter.

Sidra watches the assembled people.

Cristobal looks at his shoes for a moment, bending down to wipe a stray 
peice of debris from one of them.

Sartori eyes scan the crowd

Helen moves to Rahven and murmurs to him, throwing a shy but warm smile 
Steffan's way.

Elio receives a message on his communicator. He receives it and nods and 
proceeds towards a microphone and places his unit against it. The voice 
crackles, "We are pleased with how this ornithopter handle and as soon 
as we land, invite all of you to join in..."

A small light flickers against the ornithopter.

Sidra readjusts her veil, which became slightly displaced in the breeze.

Jeon Suddenly looks very concerned. He grabs the hilt of his sword with 
his sword hand and leans forward.

"What... " The comunit squaks in Elio's hand. He pulls it down from the 
microphone and begins to talk into it quickly.

The 'thopter begins to sway slightly, like a boat upon a rough sea.

Sartori lowers his stance ready

Josef looks puzzled as he takes another puff on his cigar, leaving it in 
his mouth.

The Count's eyes go wide in inner fright as things go quite irregular.

Sidra watches the ensueing commotion with marked interest, and a look of 
puzzled dismay

The 'thopter begins to drift off to one side and then glides towards the 
Earth.

Elio rushes towards the edge of the 'thopter pad, concern deepening each 
of the creases on his wrinkled face.

Cesare, no longer able to contain himself, exclaims as the thopter 
begins to fall, "NO!"

Jeon says the most poetic word he can think of to encapsulate the 
situation at hand, "Fuck." Then he turns to Sartori, "We have a code red 
situation, Mister."

Sartori salutes , sir!

The 'thopter disappears. A second later, a small burst, like that of a 
rising sun, lights up part of the horizon.

<Corrino> Sartori says, "contain the area"

Rahven moves to stand in front of Helen "Stay behind me My Lady"

Jeon runs at top speed to Elio, reaching for his shoulder, "You have to 
cordon off that area, Caid."

Helen gives a small cry, remaining behind Rahven.

Cesare turns his eyes from the blast, face already registering despair 
enough at conjecture of what has just transpired.

Sartori follows jeon

Dominic looks at Steffan in alarm.

Rahven shakes his head slowly muttering something under his breath

Gapping, Elio stares out towards the horizon. The comunit in his hand 
merely returns the noise of static. "Cordon.... yes yes." He closes his 
eyes and turns, "You there... move it... um... coordinates... " He turns 
towards Jeon, "did we get a last coordinate?"

The lit cigar once in Josef's mouth slowly falls out to the ground as he 
gapes at the scene.

Steffan eye's widen in utter horror. "Great Maker of the Universe..." he 
gasps.

Sound is always slower than light. Nearly a minute passes before the 
noise shakes the earth.

Ulrich's mouth drops open, forming the word "shit", but no sound comes 
out.

Sidra jaw drops. She covers her mouth as she gasps.

Cesare mutters sadly, "Long live the Emperor."

Sartori anger is only thinly veiled

Jeon grimaces and shakes his head, "Gawd damn it, you can -see- where it 
landed! Jeeezus. Alright. Get your men to form a cordon. You!" He turns 
to Sartori, "Are going to get a squad in there to pull the Emperor and 
the heirs free. Move it!"

Josef's guards move forward on instinct to protect him, but he waves 
them off, his mouth still wide open.

Sartori run to g ather a sqaud" you and you move it!

Theresa screams and her mother collapses in the chair beside her.

"The... girl." Elio moves towards the screaming child, "Must protect 
her." He motions for a group of men, "Come. We need to get them to 
safety."

Cesare quickly crosses to the Imperial party and does his feeble best to 
console the Queen Consort and likely now Crown Princess.

Jeon pivots on his heels and says in a very loud voice, "Everyone, 
please leave the area in an orderly fashion. The Sardaukar troopers will 
escort you out." He turns to Cesare and Steffan, "You two, I'm trusting 
you to help calm the people. Read my lips. Work To..Gether."

Cristobal looks up at the commotion, the grave nature of what has 
occured not quite upon him yet, "What /was/ that?" As the din around him 
slowly seeps in, he realizes the fate that has befallen his former pupil 
and friend. He looks to the Sardaukar, watching them in their panic, he 
approaches them, noticably shaken but saying nothing.

Cesare nods resolutely to the Brigadier, turning a glance to the na-
Marquis and, taking assessment, orders, "You and your men work that side 
of the pad and I shall do the same over here."

Cesare quickly orders one of his aides, "You there. Go and get our 
propaganda moving immediately. We must spread a message of peace and 
mutual concern in this time . . . no one quick to jump to action as it 
could jeopardize the entire Imperium. Now GO!"

Dominic looks to Steffan for direction.

Jeon points at Cristobal when he sees him, "You, help the Caid move the 
Empress and the Princess out of here." He walks over and finds something 
to stand on. He hops onto it and looks around assessing the situation.

Steffan nods. "Very good....we shall...." he says in not so a convincing 
tone.

Elio, with his small band of men, surround the Queen and child. "We can 
take them from here Count Moritani."

Moritani guardsmen, some garbed as such and some in civilian attire, 
begin working the crowds and assuring people both overtly and covertly 
of the safety in the present situation.

Rahven turns to look at Helen "I believe we should leave at once My 
Lady, we must report this to the Lord Duke at once"

Cesare nods to the Caid, "Guard them as well as I know you can, sir. 
They could be the future of the Known Universe."

Helen nods mutely to Rahven, seeming in shock, allowing her to guide her 
from the scene

"Yes M'Lord." Elio nods and then ushers them away.

Josef grabs his com and starts shouting orders into it, the guards take 
up position to protect the Regent from the rushing crowd.

Jeon hops off his perch and strides with calm cool determination. he 
walks right up and gets in Elio's face, "I want the Empress and the 
Princess out of here by yesterday. THis is -not- the place for them."

Cesare turns a steel glance to the Rastanyev. "No shouting please, 
Baron. This is no time for panic." he states in a calm, but officious 
tone.

Cristobal is taken aback by the pointing and the ordering. He walks 
toward Elio, though is still a bit disoriented in all the commotion, 
"Quite right." He approaches Elio now, "I..." He finally beings to 
realize what has just happened, "Dear God!" He stops in mid step, a bit 
frozen, "Dear God, they'll be killed!"

Steffan scrambles with his men to the other side and begin to escort 
people out rather haphazardly as if not knowing quite what to do. 
Steffan shouts frantically into his communicator.

Rahven looks around at the crowd and leads Helen down the staircase.

Rahven descends the Carved Marble Stairs.

Dominic follows Steffan and attempts to aid him in his duties.

Cesare hands his top robe, valuable chain and all, to cover a cowering 
woman and her child, both crying and fearing for their lives and those 
of the Royal Family whom they serve.

Helen descends the Carved Marble Stairs.

"Sir." Elio places his hand up as if to keep Cristobal away, "Please 
M'Lord. Take a seat..." He looks back towards his charge to assure they 
are continuing to push their way through the crowd.

Jeon backhands Cristobal and yells at him, "Snap out of it, Mister. 
Now's not the time for you to turn into a woman on me. Now, stop scaring 
the women and children and help the Caid."

Cesare bellows through the clammoring throngs, "Make way for the Royal 
Family, ladies and gentlemen. Stay calm and quickly exit the pad. 
Everything is quite alright I assure you."

Sartori runs up to the general squad dispatched SIR!

The Count Moritani personally moves through the press, giving reassuring 
pats here, a kind word there, doing what he can to help both noble and 
commoner alike to feel safe and to abate panic and crisis, which 
threaten to bubble up in everyone's psyche. Naturally, a Moritani press 
agent has a camera pointed at the Siridar at all times. This is going to 
make for some tremendous footage.

Cristobal is noticeably shocked, as a instinctive reaction he brings 
back his hand, and returns the slap to Jeon, "God Damn, man, remember 
your training!" Not obvious as to rather he is talking to himself or the 
Brigadeire. Quickly he looks to the crash site, "We're going to need to 
tidy this up. Bring in some security." He looks about him, then jogs 
over toward the Caid.

Jeon narrows his eyes and stares at Cristobal for a time. He then turns 
around towards the Colonel and says, "Stay here and make sure everything 
happens in an orderly manner. When the civvies have gotten free of this 
area, you and Caid are to come to the crash site. I'm going to see ..." 
He sees the royal family members and finishes with, "what I can see." He 
then tears off to the crash site.

Josef walks briskly through the rushing crowd to the Brrigadier. "Sir, 
if there is any need for any of the resources of House Rastanyev, they 
are at your immediate call!"

Sartori runs to the caid" SIR!

Sartori whispers, "request permission to detain Sidra and Umar, they 
made suspcious remaks at gathering!"

Cristobal looks to those gathered.

"Permission denied." Elio retorts back. "Get a grip. There is protocol 
and forms to be followed here."

Cesare continues to his best and that of his people to calm the throngs, 
which are now quite quickly and at least in some semblance of order 
exeunting the ornithopter pad.

Sartori whispers, "Sir! yes sir"

Either the Brigadier didn't hear Josef or isn't replying either way he 
says nothing as he heads at top speed for the site of the Imperial 
demise.

Sartori follows the General

Cristobal heads to the family members still present, trying to calm 
nerves and comfort the best he can.

Josef looks about with a frown as the Brigadier runs off and shakes his 
head. He looks to the Moritani Siridar, with his picture being taken 
every five seconds and shakes his head again.

Cesare follows a large group of people out, offering to use his own 
House limousines to transport them to their homes.

Cesare descends the Carved Marble Stairs.

Steffan nods to his men quite somber, "Let us depart now....we can pay 
our respects later. Let His Majesty's men take care of the rest of 
this..."

Dominic nods at Steffan's words.

One of Josef's guards takes a position in front of him, the other behind 
as he briskly exits.

Josef descends the Carved Marble Stairs.

Ulrich nods solemnly

Steffan descends the Carved Marble Stairs.

Dominic descends the Carved Marble Stairs.

Ulrich descends the Carved Marble Stairs.

At the crash site: Jeon comes up and some frightened, and stunned 
Sardaukar let him pass. He looks around and makes a grimace. He grabs a 
hankerchief from his dolman and covers his nose and mouth. Then he says 
quietly, "Well, Cousin Fred, the question now becomes who or what killed 
you. if it was deliberate than the question becomes how soon I can plant 
my sabre in their gut."