OOC: W/[@White Feather]

“Contacting Paardveid now.” The soldier declared, standing back to let Innes take up center stage. “In a few moments, the Patriarch should appear on screen.”

“Actually, Miss Astra, do you have a larger screen we can make the call through? It’s just this thing isn’t very good for talking through.”

“I’m afraid I can not share details about our technology, at least not yet, but if this is as serious health issue for you as it looks like, I’m sure my superiors would be inclined to help you do something about it.” Astra said, and it was at this point when she started wondering whether she should have already introduced them to the RLC members on board. Although as far as she knew, they were watching through the security cameras in the room.

When asked for a bigger screen, she had to think for a while to remember what a screen was. “Oh! A minute.” she said and fired up the scanning equipment in her suit. The rather primitive communication device was easy enough to get readings at and after fiddling with the room’s controls for a little while, the holographic projector came to life, displaying whatever it was on the device.

“And please, it’s captain, if you don’t mind. Names in our culture are reserved for acquaintances.” Astra said. She knew it wasn’t the chancellor’s fault for not knowing, but that didn’t make it any less awkward for her.

“That’s dumb. I wouldn’t want to be Chancellor all the time.” Innes huffed “But, if you wish, [i]Captain[i/].”

After a bit of fiddling, there was a noise and Innes stood back “So, is this like, a camera or…” She stopped because, in answer to her question, the Patriarch’s face had appeared on the projector. He did not look good. His face was red and his eyes were damp, and when he saw Innes, he practically exploded.

“CHANCELLOR!” He screamed “What in the name of Konja are you doing here?”

“Nice to see you too, boss” she smiled in return. “I want to introduce you to a friend of mine. Captain, if you will”

“Oh no, Innes, you're not getting out of - never mind, I’ll talk to you later. Who is this person you want me to meet?”

Innes just pointed at the alien. Weyss followed her finger to Astra and nearly jumped out of his seat. Still, he regained control of himself quickly and managed to keep cordial.

“A pleasure meeting you, Captain. I trust Innes hasn’t been too much trouble, though knowing her, you may have a few repairs to do by the time this meeting has concluded. Can I ask your name?”

Astra gave the chancellor a glare to the back of her head along with slightly bared teeth when she called their customs dumb, however she did not intend to make a scene out of it like Innes. When the Patriarch came on the screen, his reaction made Astra wonder if they just have a natural explosive temper like that.

Waiting patiently for their own exchange to finish, she was finally addressed - and to her dismay, still not substituted by someone with more of a diplomatic skill. One of these people was difficult enough to manage, but two? Well, she’d have to make due somehow.

“Greetings, Patriarch. I am captain Astra, speaking for the Faira people. We come in peace and are seeking passage through your system. The chancellor is a… unique person, but all is well.” she said with a smile.

“Unique is the wrong word, Captain. I prefer such adjectives as ‘mad’ ‘insane’ and ‘eclectic’.” Innes shot the screen a look, which Weyss pretended not to notice “Either way, she’s done her job - she has contacted you and informed us of your existence. The rest, I’m sure, falls into my department.”

“I should warn you, first of all, that our’s is a rather zealous faith. Some of us, like Innes over there, worship Old Gods, whilst some of the others give praise to a strange notion called Konja. My suggestion? If anyone asks you your religion, don’t answer them.”

“In fact, that’s kind of the reason we had to contact you. You see, the Theocrats of this planet have decided that anyone who isn’t of the faith is unworthy of existence - if you’ll forgive the florid language. I personally find it rather ironic that a religion with so much hate has a homosexual leader” there was a yell off-screen, something along the lines of ‘I am NOT a lesbian’ but Weyss again ignored this, “even though it claims they are impure. Word of the wise, hide your homosexuals if you come for a visit.”

“Moving swiftly on, the Chancellor actually shouldn’t be there. She didn’t exactly leave legitimately, so this meeting is technically off the books. I know, I should say ‘we’re recording everything you say and do’ but deceit is not the best way to start a cordial relationship and I’d rather be honest with you. In fact, I’d appreciate it if you were to send a landing party with you when you drop off Innes -” Innes tried to protest she already had a ship, but Weyss was having none of it “And you can take the one she came in apart for scrap - gods know it’s past it’s heyday. Ahem. Yes, so when you drop off the Chancellor, be sure to bring a few diplomats with you. I’d like to conduct a meeting face-to-face.”

Astra was flooded by what she considered TMI. She shot a deathly glare to the security camera, hoping the Admiral would notice. She will exact payment for this. These people were by the Faira standard far too open about… well everything really.

There was the strange notion of religion again, something they didn’t even conceive until the SAAIL told them of the concept. “Then it is going to be very simple. Our people are of no belief and as long as nobody tries to impose theirs on us, we will not have a problem.” the captain shrugged.

She was surprised that Innes, while technically being a diplomat, apparently once again did not have the proper blessing to be here. Could these contact situations go smooth for once? Well, at least they got somewhere again without having to fire a shot. The invitation was intriguing however.

“Thank you, we would very much like the same thing. One of our ships will arrive at Paardveid shortly. I would prefer though if the meeting could take place onboard, if that is acceptable. Our species is a physically weak one and we would have hard time adapting to your planet’s gravity. I believe the chancellor can testify that you’ll come to no harm here.” she shared.

[b][i]Meanwhile on the command deck…[/i][/b]
The admiral was watching the exchange with mixed emotions. These people could stand to get a lesson in manners, however Astra seemed to think otherwise, and so far trusting her in these matters proven to be the correct thing to do. As soon as the invitation was accepted, Cygnus gave the confirmation.

[b][i]Conference room…[/i][/b]
A chime sounded throughout the whole ship. “Ah, we are about to depart and lose contact. I am looking forward to meeting you, Patriarch.” Astra finished, and on cue a deep hum resonated through the air as the subspace motivator came to life.

A short moment after, the Trigati sunk into subspace. Being the science type she was, Astra pointed her guests to the window where they could see the swirling blue and white of the subspace tunnel running by.

The sight did not last long, as within half a minute the destroyer emerged in low orbit above Paardveid, The trip lasting a fraction of the time it took Innes’ shuttle to get to the node to meet them. Turning to the chancellor, Astra nodded. “Well, I suppose you should take your ship down, I believe the presence of the Trigati here is concerning enough. Will you be present at the meeting?” Astra asked. Even though the chancellor was indeed quite strange, at least Astra would know what to expect and it was a familiar face.

“I kind of have to be” Innes said, getting flustered all of a sudden “I’m Chancellor, so I’m part of the council. Weyss is going to give me an earful…”

But then, she shrugged, still red-faced, and moved on “Okay lads, pile in. We’re going home”

On her way back to the hanger, Innes took the opportunity to ply her host with questions , mostly personal ones “So, you looking forward to Paardveid? I’m sure you’ll love it, though it’s a bit dark for strangers. Have you see many other planets? Actually, where’s your home planet? What’s it like?  Vigdis says other planets need heat and light, but ours doesn’t. I wonder why?” Then she gasped, and her inquisition got all the faster, and more intense “Do YOU have a dark planet as well? Is it covered in shadows and doesn’t ever see light like ours? Is it cold? Ours gets really cold in the winter - some of our people actually have to put clothes on! Can you believe that? I mean, yeah, I’m wearing stuff right now, but that’s cause I’m in space and I can afford it - you should see the peasantry. Poor things. I’d love to help them, but Gydja is all like ‘They don’t need the money as much as we do’ and I’m just a Chancellor, so it’s really none of my business, so she gets all the money and the peasantry never really see it. It’s all water and mud outside and it is just [i]unbearable[/i] to see them like that when I know we can help them. I don’t like her - she’s mean. Oh, and Asta as well. You won’t have a problem with her, I’m sure, but she keeps making fun of me because I’m small and have funny eyes. It’s not my fault I’m not a big, bulky thing like she is. Once she said I could never be a soldier cause I wasn’t strong enough to hold a pistol, never mind a rifle. You’ll like Weyss, though, he’s a nice guy. Actually, he’s just about the only guy of any importance - ah well, easy pickings, I guess. He’s the only person I know who treats everyone equally, regardless of age, gender or status. Oh, and I haven’t even [i]started[/i] on Temair. Don’t talk to her about religion - seriously, don’t. She’ll go off on a big theological speech about how ‘everyone should be Konjan’ and that ‘men and homosexuals are all alike - lustful, greedy and evil’, which is hurtful, you know, cause Weyss is a man, and he always says that Temair is …”

“Chancellor” The pilot interrupted “You’ve been getting louder and more fervent the more we walked. We are here. Give the poor alien a rest, would you?”

“Yes, right, sorry, Captain. And you, Astra, I might have gone off on one a bit. It’s just - this is so exciting! I’ve never even seen an alien before, and now there’s one actually coming to Paardveid. It’s like a dream come true for me. Did I tell you I’ve never seen an alien before? I must have. I…”

“Chancellor, for Mercy’s sake, please get into the spacecraft and stop talking” Her pilot interrupted again, all veils of subordinance lifted. He was tired. It’s hard enough being the only male on a ship without having someone like Innes talk your ear off all the way.

To the Faira’s credit, she would have probably remembered all of the questions and answered them - if there was time - but one of them struck too close to home, causing Astra’s face to twist in a hurt grimace. Libra wouldn’t have even flinched, but Astra wasn’t trained for this. “I can not yet speak of our planet. while I do not believe you to be a security threat to us, pardon me, but you do not strike me as the best keepers of secrets. Perhaps if these talks go well, we will share. Anyway, have a safe trip. We shall meet again soon enough.”

Innes gave a funny little salute before climbing back onto the rustbucket she called a ship. Just before her own captain followed, he turned to Astra “I’m sorry about Innes. She gets a bit… excitable. You should be fine when you actually land on Paardveid. You are coming down, yes?”

“It would appear I am indeed. I have to say I am interested to see your world, I wasn’t planetside in some three hundred years.” Astra smiled. The last ‘planet’ she was on was a chunk of their dead home. She kept for herself that she is only coming because they wouldn’t let one of the only four admirals go to a neutral planet without a battalion escorting her, and since they lacked any ground forces whatsoever, that simply was not an option.

“Very well. I guess I’ll see you when I see you. Goodbye, Captain. Safe travels.” With that, the last of the Paardveidan troops got on-board and fired up the engines. It was an uneventful journey back, as Innes took up her typical travelling position - lounged across a long seat, scribbling away at the diary that never seemed to run out of pages - and the rest of the crew were busy managing the ship.

“Prepare a shuttle!” Astra shouted over the noise of the Sinnsyk ship departing before patching through the ship’s intercom. “Admiral? Permission to take a guard and proceed to the planet?” she asked, but knew the answer already. “Approved, but you’ll need to be wearing something else than that science project of yours.” the admiral said, sounding entertained. Astra only grunted in disgust.

After a few minutes, she was back in the hangar wearing the lightest model of their combat suits, all with the stripes of her rank and other diplomatic garbage. At least she was surrounded by four other Faira in heavy duty exoskeletons to act as her guard. They boarded the shuttle and the engines came to life, taking them out of the hangar bay.

Her hands itching, astra took the controls and put the craft into an almost vertical descent. The shield on the shuttle was pretty much only there to block the re-entry heat, but seeing the fireball that enveloped them from the inside was one of the most impressive things the captain saw in a while. No doubt it would make an impression on the ground as well.

Astra followed to the coordinates that Innes’ ship took since they received no instructions as to where to go, but she figured it was a safe bet the council would be located there. The captain slowed the shuttle down into a crawl as she approached the location, hoping to not look like a threat. The shuttle was unarmed after all. Soon enough she saw the familiar slapjob ship and pulled up next to it. Taking a breath, Astra nodded to one of her guards to open the door and looked out to see if anyone was there to meet them.

[b][i]Dun Ara, Paardveid[/i][/b]

Dun Ara was an impressive sight by anyones reckoning. Over the course of the years, this historical capital had been improved, extended and refined, until all that was left was a paltry village dominated by a huge castle. Even with such a small population, it was clearly an affluent and desirable area to be in.

Awaiting the visitors were the council. First and foremost was the Patriarch himself, Weyss, who was dressed in a very formal robe, all gold baubles and lining. It was clearly a religious thing.
Next to him, in full power armour bar the helmet, his Marshal, Asta, who looked at the visitor’s craft in awe. She was stern-faced and pinched, but even she couldn’t hide her amazement at the newcomer’s craft.
Vigdis, of course, also in formal attire - her’s taking the form of a long red dress. Her hair was let down and she was trying to appear as uninterested as she could - it wasn't working for her.
It may have amused the Faira to see Temair and Innes standing together. Well, not that Innes really had a choice, since the Inquisitor had pinched her ear and was proceeding to give the Chancellor a most blistering tongue-lashing. Innes, in typical Innes fashion, had managed to change into what could only be described as paper-thin curtains to keep herself covered - how and why was a mystery to all.
And finally, clearly not giving two damns about the visitors, was Gydja, who looked about as interested as a man watching paint dry on grass growing. You’d think aliens coming to one's door would add a bit of excitement, but apparently not.

The Faira disembarked, their forms towering over the Sinnsyk by a quarter of their height. Two of the guards stayed with the shuttle while the two others bracketed Astra as she made her way to the council. the suit helped her move, but she still felt the uncomfortable tug of the planet below. The planet itself was easily the strangest thing the scientist has ever seen, and she has seen a lot.

The darkness was disorienting. Every body shone brightly to the Faira’s eyes in the blackness of everywhere around - the lack of any radio waves or any other input their antennae might detect did not help. Fortunately her helmet came with some basic filters and she was able to navigate the terrain easily enough.

It shocked her to the core when she saw what conditions these people lived in. It was just like Innes said - And she remembered the name Gydja that ruffled her antennae the most. Perhaps they arrived just in time to help the loon woman do something about this. But first, Astra needed to know more.

They made their way to the rather colorful assembly and whipped up a salute in perfect unison. “Greeting Patriarch, Councilors. We thank you for the invitation. Shall we proceed?” the captain asked, wanting to go straight to business.