The Regent expects every man to do his duty.
"Action stations!"
Marines were at the ready, every blade sharp and every eye focused on the shore. The cannons were primed and ready, with the powder-monkeys standing by, the ship's officers all waiting with baited breath, quite ready and willing to unleash aeternia. They had waited long and hard for this brightening, this candlemark, this very moment. All the pent-up frustration and anger at what had happened, has been happening, and no doubt, was still happening, would be released to great results. The Phondra Anchors were ready.
The officers had been busy marking targets by means of their spyglasses, directing their sailors on the ballistae where to aim and likewise checking the lie of the land with the angling of the cannon. While they did their best to stay out of the range of any missile fire from the shore, that didn't mean that they could relax their guard, just yet.
With her battle-flags flying, the Imperial Standard at her stern, reversed, with the crimson side up as the Empire was at war, so did the AFS Carmichael and her cousins begin th process of watching, and waiting.
It would depend on the mudeaters at the shore, but they sailing service was ready to do theirs, as well.
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Imperial Minister for War War is the horror that occurs when rational minds fail at the negotiating table of diplomacy. ~Queen Katishandra of Daittern, Aelyrian Warfare through the Ages.
**1/6: Work (and not mutinous legionaries!) have placed Alexis' puppeteer under extreme duress. Back at Jan the 16th, Markalin willing. I will hold true to Macarthur's words, and yes, indeed, I shall return!**
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