✦ Budget Council Speeches ✦

Knake — Fighter Bay Proposal

“Escorts are the eyes and talons of a warship.”

For his own idea:
“A fighter bay is not indulgence — it is our only hope. The enemy waits, I know it, cloaked just beyond the moon’s curve. Our wings must already be in the void, sweeping augurs, cutting down raiders before they tear at our hull! Do you not see? They should be scrambling now, this very moment — I can hear the hangar klaxons — why are they not there? No other purchase grants us eyes, teeth, and the Emperor’s hand against what hides in the dark side of the moon.”
Against Medare’s Luxury Quarters:
“Velvet cushions will not halt a boarding torpedo. Comfort breeds complacency, not security.”
Against Gorgo’s Barracks Reform:
“Shifted barracks only reshuffle men already present. Without void superiority, they may never reach the fight.”
Against Polonius’ Strawberries:
“Perishables rot. What is trade worth if the ship carrying it is crippled? Our dynasty will profit more from a vessel that returns alive.”
Against Bohrman’s Satellites:
“Signals mean little if the threat is already upon us. Fighters are living augurs with teeth.”

Medare — Luxury Quarters Proposal

“Prestige and hosting are the true currency of power.”

For his own idea:
“A vessel is judged not only by its guns but by its halls. Luxury quarters transform Ignis Aeternus into a palace of the stars, befitting emissaries of the God-Emperor. Respect rises, negotiations loosen up, and our status compels display of wealth.”
Against Knake’s Fighter Bay:
“A bay of fighters invites more mouths to feed and more engines to maintain to anchored museum. Prestige brings alliances that spare us the need for constant combat.”
Against Gorgo’s Barracks Reform:
“A barrack is still a barrack, whether below or above. Soldiers sleep no finer nor fight no braver for a change of stairwell.”
Against Polonius’ Strawberries:
“Trade goods are fleeting. Strawberry harvests sour; noble memories of gilded halls endure.”
Against Bohrman’s Satellites:
“A noble guest will never marvel at signal clarity, but he will speak of marble floors and golden candelabra.”

Gorgo — Barracks Reform Proposal

“Steel is useless if soldiers cannot be deployed swiftly.”

For his own idea:
“Our barracks belong at the heart of deployment. Troops must be ready to repel boarders or storm enemy hulls without delay. A warship without disciplined soldiers at hand is a coffin waiting to be sealed.”
Against Knake’s Fighter Bay:
“Fighters may win the void, but when enemy claws latch onto our hull, it is men — not machines — who decide if we live or die.”
Against Medare’s Luxury Quarters:
“Feathers and perfumes are luxuries of cowards. A hardened crew in hardened barracks wins battles, not gilded lounges.”
Against Polonius’ Strawberries:
“Berries do not bleed for the dynasty. Only disciplined men shed blood for its survival.”
Against Bohrman’s Satellites:
“Clear signals matter little if soldiers are stationed too far to act on them. Speed of deployment is survival.”

Polonius — Strawberry Trade Proposal

“A dynasty thrives not on guns, but on markets.”

For his own idea:
“Strawberries are no fruit — they are currency. A delicacy craved in hive and palace alike, and Von Ulm will bind itself to us in sweet trade. Wealth buys fleets, wealth buys allies, wealth buys everything the rest of you crave.”
Against Knake’s Fighter Bay:
“Fighters consume fuel and munitions. They do not repay their cost. A berry bought once can be sold a thousand times.”
Against Medare’s Luxury Quarters:
“Luxury is empty without guests to fill it. My strawberries guarantee visitors. Your gilded couches would otherwise lie empty.”
Against Gorgo’s Barracks Reform:
“Barracks consume space and spirit. Men idle in bunks cost us coin. My trade fills coffers to pay their wages.”
Against Bohrman’s Satellites:
“Satellites do not earn Thrones. Markets do. Commerce buys augurs by the dozen, if only we make profit first.”

Bohrman — Satellite Network Proposal

“Without signal clarity, all other functions are blind.”

For his own idea:
“Satellites are the whiskers of a voidship. They sense through interference, grant augurs reach, and keeps targets in sight in the chaos of battle. With them, our every other strength multiplies.”
Against Knake’s Fighter Bay:
“Fighters without guidance are flocks without shepherds. My satellites make our weapons more lethal.”
Against Medare’s Luxury Quarters:
“What luxury is there in silence? If signals fail, no one will hear our distress nor our invitations.”
Against Gorgo’s Barracks Reform:
“Soldiers are iron without eyes. My satellites tell them where to strike and when to defend.”
Against Polonius’ Strawberries:
“Strawberries rot without fleets to carry them. Satellites safeguard fleets. Trade comes after communication.”

Budget Council of Ignis Aeternus — First Round Votes (Revised) ✦

The Five Proposals

Fighter Bay (Knake’s proposal)
Luxury Quarters (Medare’s proposal)
Barracks Reform (Gorgo’s proposal)
Strawberry Trade Deal (Polonius’ proposal)
Satellite Network (Bohrmann’s proposal)

Votes by Officer

Bridge Wing — Helm & Pilots

Amanus Medare → Luxury Quarters (his own proposal; prestige and luxury).
Flaminius Knake → Fighter Bay (his own proposal; combat readiness).
Andechs “Eyron” Rosenkrantz → No vote (assistant to Knake).
Haakon Umberhowl (cannoneer) → Luxury Quarters (believes respect and eagerness to negotiate are strengthened by dignified living).
Kellee Lamartina (shields & Gellar field) → Satellites (augury clarity aids ships protection and void safety).

Middle Bridge — Command & Counsel

Lera Shu (vox) → Luxury Quarters (aligns with Medare; prestige brings dignitaries).
Polonius De Vorm (seneschal) → Strawberries (his own trade project).
Orion B’salva (warp channeler psyker) → Up to PC.
Glenora Bohrmann (etherics) → Satellites (her own proposal; strengthens augury).

Left Bridge — Supply & Faith

Morle Hickingbotham (provisions) → Strawberries (trade deal ensures supply stability).
Malchior of Sthel (confessor-abbot) → Barracks Reform (spiritual discipline is strongest when soldiers live close to action).

Right Bridge — Military

Diocletius Gorgo (master of arms) → Barracks Reform (his own proposal; faster troop readiness).

Mechanicus Quarters

Praetor Electroid Tytus-28 (enginseer) → Satellites (machine spirit harmony, improved efficiency).

Initial Vote Totals

Fighter Bay → Knake, = 2 votes
Luxury Quarters → Medare, Shu, Umberhowl = 3 votes
Satellites → Bohrmann, Lamartina, Tytus-28 = 3 votes
Barracks Reform → Gorgo, Malchior = 2 votes
Strawberries → Polonius, Hickingbotham = 2 votes

✦ Result: A Three-Way Deadlock ✦

Luxury Quarters and Satellites tied with 3 votes each.
Barracks Reform, and Strawberries trail with 2 votes each.
Fighter Bay has one vote
Warp Channeler Orion B’salva is undecided

The council chamber is evenly split, with no clear majority — the perfect stage for speeches, bargaining, and shifting alliances.

Ignis Aeternus: Moon Bombardment Scenario

1. Disengaging from Anchor & Leaving Orbit

Medare: Operate (Voidship) check → Piloting out of Scintilla’s orbit.
Optional Extended Actions:
- Aid the Machine Spirit (Tech-Use): Boost Manoeuvrability for the tricky disengage.
- Hold Fast! (Willpower): Keep crew disciplined during anchoring disconnection.

2. Transition to Combat Readiness

Knake takes control of helm for combat manoeuvres.
Optional Extended Actions:
- Disinformation (Deceive/Blather): Sow false signals during undocking.
- Jam Communications (Tech-Use): Prevent hostile auspex from detecting departure.

3. Target Acquisition on Approach (21 VUs)

Bohrmann: Scrutiny + Detection → Active Augury check (Extended Action).
- Detect target and bring it onto augury systems.
Optional Extended Actions:
- Aid the Machine Spirit: Improve Detection.
- Flank Speed: Close distance more rapidly.
- Disinformation (Deceive/Blather): Sow false signals during approach.
- Jam Communications (Tech-Use): Prevent hostile target from warning others.

4. Reveal Enemy Components on Approach

Bohrmann: Scrutiny + Detection → Focused Augury (Extended Action).
- Learn target’s Components (weapons, augurs, shields, etc.).
Optional Extended Actions:
- Aid the Machine Spirit: Improve Detection.
- Lock on Target: Already improve fire solutions once within range.
- Hail the Enemy: Bluff/intimidate while scanning.

5. Close-Range Positioning for Bombardment

Knake: Operate (Voidship) → Manoeuvre ship into prow cannon firing arc.
Optional Extended Actions:
- Aid the Machine Spirit: Boost Manoeuvrability for fine positioning.
- Flank Speed: Push into bombardment range faster.
- Evasive Manoeuvres – Gain –10 penalty to enemy fire per DoS, but impose same penalty on own weapons (Pilot + Manoeuvrability, Difficult –10).

6. Opening Fire

Umberhowl: Ballistic Skill → Fire macro-batteries/lances.
Optional Extended Actions:
- Lock On Target: Increase BS of prow cannons.
- Put Your Backs Into It!: Officers rally gunners for higher accuracy.
- Aid the Machine Spirit: Buff Detection/targeting.

7. Disengagement / Withdrawal from Combat

Knake: Operate (Voidship) → Break off bombardment, reposition for retreat. Disengage – Attempt to escape combat and “go dark” (Operate (Void Craft)+ Manoeuvrability opposed by enemy Detection + Scrutiny). Cannot fire.
Optional Extended Actions:
- Disinformation: Mask retreat as manoeuvre or feint.
- Jam Communications: Mute enemy communications during retreat.
- Hold Fast!: Maintain morale during disengagement.

8. Return to Orbit

Medare: Operate (Voidship) → Guide vessel back to Scintilla orbit, re-anchor.
Optional Extended Actions:
- Aid the Machine Spirit: Assist Manoeuvrability for smooth re-anchoring.
- Triage: Treat casualties sustained in combat.
- Emergency Repairs: Restore damaged Components during approach.

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