Radiant Dawn

The Radiant Dawn is a gilded Imperial frigate with a hull of sloping, polished black-mirror, rising a dozen levels above the landing area, with communications equipment bristling against the sky. The ship has the profile of a great, sleek arrowhead of black and gold, crowned with a sloping ziggurat that towers over surrounding ships and shuttles. On landing, coolant jets spray its hull, sending great tongues of steam into the air. Paved ground surrounds it, with chain-fence yards hemming the approach ramp and colossi the size of cargo vans flanking either side. Martians in heavy armor man the gate and run checks on all who enter.

The ship's interior has been fitted as a formal court: a checkered floor of porphyry, pale marble, and beaten gold wire; triple lines of columns along either side of a large hall that gleam with carnelian and gold; mosaics in niches behind courtiers; red-clad Martian Guards; frescoes on the vaulted ceiling and panels above the arches; and cut-crystal chandeliers. The Solar Throne has been duplicated within. The Emperor's offices are paneled in antique wood with oil paintings and darkly polished surfaces, and contain an immeasurably old Steinway piano from Old Earth.

The Radiant Dawn serves as the Emperor's personal transport during his tour of the outer provinces and is observed grounded on the Nessus landing plain during this tour.

By the time of the campaign on Carteia, the Radiant Dawn has been grounded on Carteia's surface and serves as the Emperor's mobile throne room and command post, forming the centerpiece of the Emperor's camp city. The ship towers over the surrounding ships and shuttles, with the Emperor's offices and formal court established aboard.

Martian Guards in heavy armor man the entrance gate and security checkpoints of the Radiant Dawn.