Gray Point (Calidrian Port City/Black Company Training and recruitment center)

Gray Point is one of the few major ports that is stable all year round in Calidrian due to a lack of volcanic activity. Gray Point is an essential city to the Calidrian states as roughly half of the imported food that comes into the nation passes though this city, often guarded by the Black Company. As such the Company has a fairly substantial presence in the city, having a training base just on the outskirts of the barren rock as well as a large office where food and negotiations between traders and Calidrian officials takes place. The food itself is stored deep underground in vacuum sealed chambers, and at any point in time there's enough food stored to feed the entire nation for a month. Much of the population as well lives in underground housing.

Just outside of Grey Point was the Calidrian 3rd Fleet, headed by Fleet Admiral Navin. Composed of one Caldrasky-class Battleship, two Ulyanovsk-class Carriers, ten mixed Slava]/i]-class and [i]Kirov cruisers, and an assortment of twenty-three other destroyers.

The fleet hails the port's control center. "Grey Point Command, this is the Calidrian 3rd Fleet, permission to dock and resupply some of our ships before headed out for sortie. Time is of the essence, please respond."

"This is Command, proceed to docking section 24B, guidance tugs will be out to meet you shortly. Awaiting list of supplies needed and we'll get them on board as soon as possible," the voice of a young officer replied. A small fleet of tug boats already being dispatched towards the navel fleet help guide their ships to the series of open docks waiting for them.

"Many thanks, Grey Point Command. Transmitting the list now," the voice responds. It's a list of mostly fuel and some ammunition, most likely for the 3rd Fleet's sorte to blockade and later, assist in the takeover of the Argenist ports.

The ships requiring the supplies move towards the fleet, one carrier, two cruisers, and a flotilla of destroyers.

The man at receiving their call gave a thoughtful hum over the comms as he looked at the list of supplies, ammunition and fuel were never a problem in Majin, but food... food was always scarce.

"Third Fleet it'll be another day and a half till we can fully restock your food stores, the next shipment of grain and meat is running half a day behind due to raiders. The Shipment itself is safe, but Black Company Forces had to hold up for half a day till they were fully cleared out," the young woman informed. "At the moment all extra stores have been routed to the front lines and we have not been given authorization to use emergency stores as of yet."

"Affirmative, Grey Point Command. We'll be staying in port for those few days, if it's of no major problem. Our orders were to blockade the ports at our earliest convenience, but from what it sounds like the 4th fleet has already eliminated any resistance. We won't be required for the coastline sweep for the next few days."

Just then, the man behind the comms at Grey Point seems to notice the stars above glowing unusually bright...momentarily, as they dim back to the norm. What could that have been?

"Noted 3rd Fleet," the woman said over the comms as the tugs began to escort the navy ships to their docks. The woman noticed the glow itself and began to look at what readouts she could.

"3rd fleet, did you manage to pick up anything strange a few seconds ago?" she asked as she and her team began to organize and communicate with their comrades to see what was detected during the brief moment.

"Was just about to ask, Grey Point Command. The sky got brighter for a second there. Some of our mages were saying that it was a spell but...that's impossible, right?" The man on the other end lets out a mirthless chuckle.

Moments later, the 3rd fleet ships roll into port while the other ships out at sea lower their anchors for the night.

"Yes... not all that comforting... We'll look into it as best we can, Command out," the woman replied, the comms dropping as dock workers rolled up to start bringing in supplies once the ships were docked. Anomalies of that scale rarely meant anything good...

A few minutes later, the dock crew notices a special individual leaving the carrier. Fleet Admiral Navin, commander of the 3rd Fleet, leaving with an entourage of his bodyguards. He approaches one of the dock crew.

"Pardon me, comrade, but which way is the nearest pub?"

The Dockworked gave a startled jump, looking up at the Admiral as he tried his best to salute.

"T... Their's one by the Black Company Offices, bit rough around the edges s... sir," the dock worker stuttered out, having not expected the sudden attention.

Navin smiles. "At ease, trooper, I'm not here on business. Thanks for the directions." He nods his thanks and heads to the destination.

"Thank you Admrial, sir!" The dockworker replied, a little more confidently now as Navin walked off.

The building wasn't that hard to find in the end, it was one of the few above ground and the bar was nestled beside it. It was obvious that the place only stood to cater to the sailors and merchants that sold there goods to Calidria as a whole. The bar was abuzz with jazz like tunes as a small sign read "Crossroads" not a terribly creative name but it suited the place.

Navin takes a jacket from one of his bodyguards, putting it on as he steps in, careful to hide his uniform. He steps up to the bar counter, finding a spare stool. "Hey barkeep, one shot of your finest mix!"

The Barkeep turned around to look at the man, a middle aged neko, his emerald eyes widening a bit before he returned to a more casual demeanor.

"Now that's a request that doesn't sound like a trap at all," he said with a hint of mirth. "One Calidria Knockout coming up."

The bar itself was filled with music from a live band, a group of teenagers made up of various races that were trying to sound more refined in their jazz music then they actually were. A few more years though and they might have that hint of polish that comes with experience. The rest of the bar was low lit, giving the illusion of privacy as idle chatter could be heard. The bar obviously a place for backroom meetings that remained civil under the watchful eyes of the 12 or so Black Company Mercenaries acting as encouragement to behave. Their faces darkened by the visors of the Mark II Battlesuits they openly wore, their various arms hanging from their straps and in easy reach.

Navin takes a look at the band for a moment before turning his attention to the barkeeper. "Anything interesting going on in these parts, barkeep?"

"Well take your pick... there's news of a growing Argenist rebellion that's disrupting the scum's supplies, Claidrian forces are crashing through their front lines with some success. The Stalemate in Mu-Arishi is wearing both Imperial and Airborn forces down to the bone... Anything in particular you want to know?" the Barkeep asked before he took another order.

"A rebellion?" Navin ponders as he takes a sip of his drink. "Please, do tell more about this new insurgency."

"Nothing game changing just yet I would think... just some over eager commander starting to gather his own forces from the sound of it," The Barkeep replied as he set the drink in front of the admiral. "Gots a small force from what I hear, and he's causing some havoc on the Argenist side of the lines."

He then sighed a bit and shook his head.

"Not very bright of him to do so now though... The Argenists need to put up a unified front if they're going to stop you Calidrians from flooding into their territory. And even if that rebellion of his does take off, I doubt your boys will be any kinder to him than any loyalists."

Navin lets out a chuckle. "Well, it's been a long way. It's good to hear that the Loyalists are on the verge of breaking... it'll make our job that much easier. Maybe get some turncoats as well... you didn't hear that one from me, for the record," Navin says with a sly smile, as he takes another drink from his order, finishing it. "This stuff is pretty good. Mind if I get another one?"

"Certainly," The Barkeep replied, retrieving the empty glass. "Though perhaps if you don't want something heard... you shouldn't say it."

Navin lets out a quiet but hearty laugh. "I'm fine with it being heard, I just don't want my name all over the reports. Last thing I need is my superior officers riding my ass." He takes a drink from the new glass. "Actually, any interesting folk here? I'm always up for meeting new faces."

"Depends on what you're in the mood for I'd say, General Iornhide from the training base is planning a large wargame later this week to 'season' the new recruits. Rumors say it's going to be a mock battle fro Gray Point, with much of the fighting being done in the tunnels underground," The Barkeep replied, looking at the admiral out of the corner of his eye. "All that is known is that one of the Company's big time mages is going to be showing off new trinkets and inventions during it."

"Tunnels? What's he going to do, invade the Underground?" Navin says with a light laugh. "Damn, now I wish I could watch. Sounds like an interesting event this year."

"He won't say, but the local Garrison is preparing for a long tough 'fight'. But yes, should be quite the show," The Barkeep replied with a smirk. "All that is being said is that those who live on the upper levels should vacate the area, they don't want anyone actually getting hurt and all."