"Your Holiness," Gamariden Tal replied, turning the Glaive's command chair to face the priest. "You are comfortable in your new quarters?"
"Oh," said Amm with a chuckle, "quite like old times, thank you." He stepped forward, and looked around the bridge. "Impressive."
"Suitable, I trust," said Tal, "for the flagship of the Theocracy." He laughed, nervously. "It will take time to get used to that."
"Well, look on the bright side," said Amm. "Unlike the priests of the false gods, at least you and I have the time. Where am I to sit?"
"I have given orders for an observer's chair to be added to the bridge," said Tal. "You will have full access to the tactical displays - you will not, of course, have input into the network. Your blessing, Your Holiness, we require; your military insight -"
"Yes, quite," said Amm. "On the whole, better not." He strolled around the bridge, his eyes avid. "So much nostalgia," he murmured. "How much we would have given for equipment like this, back in the old days!"
"The frigates are still very much in the old style," said Tal, "except, of course, for the special weaponry."
"Tried and tested?" said Amm.
"And easy to replicate. Our fleet grows daily. The losses incurred in the battle with the Federation are... trivial."
"And mostly drabs, anyway," said Amm. "I must say, we have been glad to learn from the military in that... matter. We have so many, ahh, vacancies to fill - in the administrative functions of the former priesthood, you understand. As High Pontiff, it devolves to me to... smooth over the difficulties."
"You are training drabs to perform basic priestly functions?"
"As you train them to push buttons on starships. They are so biddable, so eager to advance their lowly status... it makes them easy to train. In basic functions, within their capacity. And in devotion, in obedience to the doctrine of Sebreac Tharr."
"As it should be," said Tal. "The true god brings us victory."
"And he asks so little in return," said Amm. "Only our devotion, and the occasional material symbol.... It is of this that I must speak. Work is progressing on one of the true god's requirements - the shipments of labourers from the Federation and the Republic have proven adequate to the task. But another requirement is not yet met - oh, do not concern yourself unduly, it is not you who has failed, but our agents in Klingon space. Had the Klingons not dealt with General Ssurt summarily, it would have been the god's pleasure to chastise him. Still, though... the god has needs. And so our lord the Theocrat has requirements."
"What does Enteskilen Mur require?" asked Tal.
"Transportation, essentially," said Amm. "He has decided to take a personal hand in certain affairs. To do this, he needs a starship. A frigate, obviously, is unsuitable for his station - not to mention affording inadequate protection against, ahh, disaffected elements...."
"Are there any such fools left?"
"Oh, Sivetalin Aun and his brethren are leaves that blow with every wind, but there are rumblings of discontent in some quarters - and besides, there is Starfleet, the Republic Navy and the Klingons to consider. So... how difficult are these magnificent ships to reproduce?"
Tal laughed, shortly. "We shall have all we need. Tell the Theocrat that he may take the Warhammer, with the military caste's grateful thanks for his guidance and his leadership."
Amm bowed. "I will send word at once. He will be gratified by your devotion."
"Will one ship prove sufficient? I can detach others, or provide a frigate escort."
"With the god on his side, the Theocrat will content himself with a single ship. The Warhammer. It sounds a fittingly aggressive name." Amm bowed. "I will, with your permission, withdraw and inform the Theocrat now. He is anxious to depart on his errand."
"Of course. You need no permissions from me, Your Holiness."
Amm smiled, bowed again, and left the bridge. Some day, Gamariden Tal told himself as the turbolift doors closed, some day I will kill that man.
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