Chairman Koda took to the podium, the guise of a statesmen falling over him quickly. A small tug of his tunic to eliminate any stray wrinkles. He began with a solemn, booming voice.
"Good evening, fellow Kodians, distinguished guests, and members of the Yamatai Empire. It is my great honor to stand before you today, to witness the launch of Gashmere's Hammer, a symbol of our strength, perseverance, and unity. But as we look to the future, we must also remember our past, our traditions, and our cultural identity. The values that have sustained our people for generations are as important now as they have ever been. They are the foundation upon which our society is built, and they are what sets us apart from all others. As we all know, Gashmere has been plagued by civil strife. However, despite these challenges, our partnership with the Yamatai Empire continues to thrive.
I stand before you as an equal of the Kodian people, and I am proud to say that our traditions and cultural identity remain as strong as ever.
Today, we will once again perform the Kodian ritual known as the Bloodening. This ritual, in which a vessel containing the blood of the five oldest living Kodians is broken on the ship. This symbolizes the dearest wish of our elders, that their blood be spilt, so the blood of our youth need not be. "
Koda took up a crystal flask, roughly the size of a softball, a scarlet liquid clearly visible within. With a heave of his massive shoulders, he cast the orb towards the bow of Gashmeres Hammer. The crystal shattered on impact, the blood ran down the armored box in thin trails of crimson. Koda then turned back to the podium and the crowd.
"Gashmere's Hammer is more than just a starship, it is a symbol of our resilience and our determination. It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our people, our planet, and our way of life. So as we gather here today, let us celebrate not only the launch of this magnificent vessel, but also the continued growth and prosperity of our people. Let us recommit ourselves to the values that have sustained us for generations and work together to build a brighter, more prosperous future for all Kodians.
Thank you, and may Gashmere's Hammer serve as a shining example of our strength, resilience, and unity for generations to come."
With that, Koda stepped away from the podium as Gashmeres Hammer began to leave the dock under its own power. Koda stepped down from the stage and made his way to his shuttle. Where he boarded and the shuttle began to make ready to leave as the various attendees followed suit.
Mikhail sent a message to the members of the TF.
"Everybody get back on the shuttle. We will debrief dirtside."