TURN SENT
Duke Flavius Li Halan rubbed his temple in irritation as the Archbishop of Kish lectured him on the mandate issued by Patriarch Leopold VII regarding the immediate expulsion of Al-Malik, Hawkwood, and League influences from planets under the protection of the Universal Church of the Celestial Sun.
The Inquisitional Synod of Pyre had lobbied more fervently in recent years for the Patriarch to be more proactive in rooting out heretical ideologies and nobles that tolerated the Merchant League's republican tendencies.
"Well, the damned Al-Malik has given them what they wanted." Duke Flavius thought as the Archbishop prattled on quoting some passage from Omega Gospels.
The Al-Malik's audacity to establish an estate on a planet surrounded by flamethrower wielding fanatics, "What did they think would happen?"
This combined with his friend Alvarex Hawkwood's decision to send the Imperial Fleet to Pentateuch to maintain a peaceful cohabitation of that planet with the Hazat, Flavius knew that there were those in the Synecullum that poisoned the Patriarch's mind by reporting to him that this was simply a move by the Regent to expand his secular influence over that world.
And the League, as if the Church needed any reason to go to war with them. The last time this happened the Li Halan was dragged into the conflict and although they liberated Rampart from the Merchant League they lost Malignatius to a treacherous Decados invasion of that frozen planet while Li Halan forces were diverted to the Rampart front.
"Lord Flavius?" said the Archbishop.
"Yes..." replied Flavius as he was startled out of his train of thought.
"What shall I communicate to the Patriarch regarding your commitment to this holy crusade?" asked the Archbishop.
"Tell his eminence that the forces of the Li Halan always stand ready to defend our Mother Church, but let him know that we will need time to consolidate our fleet and holy warriors." said Flavius.
"As you wish, my lord." the Archbishop replied then bowed and turn to the leave the Duke's presence.
"Yes time...time to sort this whole damned mess out before anymore unnecessary blood was shed." Flavius thought as he returned to rubbing his temple.
He turned to his court scribe and said, "Contact my war ministers, Baroness Cassandra Li Halan, and Ambassador Wei Lan tell them the Court Council will convene in one hour..."