[b]THE HARMONY[/b]
TERRAN STARPORT
AMBASSADORS' QUARTERS
[hr]

The Honor Guard had taken positions at intervals by the doorways in the corridor, their frames so massive that if one of them bothered to look up, his metal scalp would scrape the ceiling. All of them were standing rigidly at attention, spears held stiffly and mechanically still, except for the Captain, who walked with Wen Ten Xei. He trailed behind her flowing red dress. The size difference between them was such that, where Wen took two steps, the Captain made only one. Step, stop, step. Step, stop, step. Though his plasteel-alloy joints could handle the gait well, such an unfamiliar way of shifting weight caused them to groan.

Before Wen was a female human orderly with blonde hair and a sharp-looking attire. The Captain noted her anxiousness, even though she held it well as she opened the double-doors at the far end of the hall. Within was a dwelling of luxury, of white walls with golden filigree, with a canopy bed whose size could satisfy even the greediest kings and queens. The floor was draped with a carpet sporting the most illustrious weaves, and the large panoramic window at one end featured an incredible view of Terra, Sol and Luna.

"Your room, ma'am," said the human. Wen smiled gratefully as she entered. She took her surroundings in with bright eyes. Clearly, she was pleased.

The orderly spoke up again. "Would you like to me to show you around, ma'am?"

"No need," her voice was like blooming flowers in the spring. It was no wonder she was the Most Serene one, thought the Captain. "I recognize the implements here - bed, television, window; door to the showers. Like I said before, our races' needs are not so different, Miss August. I have also studied your culture via your Internet beforehand."

The human seemed to flush at the gentle rejection. "I see. Please call me if you need anything, ma'am. If you will excuse me..."

Wen nodded her head. "Of course, Miss August." And so she was away, closing the door behind her, leaving only Wen and the Captain within the former's new quarters. The silence was palpable but not at all awkward as the Most Serene One walked around, fingering the bookshelves and examining various appliances from the mini-fridge to the personal computer.

"How fascinating," she said, in the Wo tongue. "The similarities between their current and our past technologies are striking. You could say that Humans and Wo are the same, save for the color of our skins, and their lack of two limbs."

It was good that he was physically incapable of doing so, otherwise there would be a look of disgust on the Captain's face. It irked him for Wen, a beautiful woman, to be saying such xenophilic things. It seemed that for all things human, there was a childlike curiosity from her. Now she was at the panoramic window, staring at the ugly, bruised orb that the Humans called their homeworld. What did Wen see in them that the Captain couldn't? In all things, humans were imperfect. And though all beings were deserving of at least a nominal amount of respect, the woman before him went far beyond that. Again, it irked him.

"Captain," she said, without looking at him. "What do you think of the Humans thus far?"

He grunted what was supposed to be a chuckle. "My Lady, I think they are a race that yet clings to mortality and that their shortsightedness prevents them from moving past it."

Her silken hair fell softly on her shoulders as she looked back at him. Her exquisitely crafted golden irises held a stare with the featureless blue lights that stood for him as a pair of eyes. "Is that so?"

"Yes, my Lady."

Wen's smile was mysterious as she turned back to the celestial view. The sunlight outlined her curvaceous form and made her radiant. "I agree, they are rather shortsighted."

That just raised more questions. "My Lady," he said, "fully realizing my impertinence, I must ask - why, then, if you find them so shortsighted, you express such a fondness for them?"

"I see them as children, Captain. Young children playing in the hills of Old Khanfu, with dirtied faces and chests full of energy. But in time they will grow up to be a mature race. I see potential in them, in that they will become far greater than what they currently are today. They will soon realize the futility of their current way of existence and begin to want to uplift themselves instead of their way of warfare. They might even found a Harmony of their own."

"They are strange beings," she added. "Have you perused their Pathways - what they call the 'Internet?'"

"Not yet," the Captain said. "I don't see why I have to."

"You should," she turned around to face him now. "Their history is full of old wars, times where a single command could have caused their own extinction, and forgotten glories by arrogant men who thought themselves gods and that their exploits would be remembered forever. In a way, humans remind me of our past selves. But more shortsighted, more narrow-minded, far bolder and extremely spontaneous - if we compared our equivalent conflicts you would see that theirs are orders of magnitude more destructive. It is indeed as if they think nothing of bloodshed or of carnage, or of when to stop. They've always put their wisdom into the sword and the coin, while we put ours into our hearts and our spirits. It seems to me that they are a masochistic race whose philosophies never center around joy, but misery. They have so much potential, but all of it is squandered. For example, do you see that?"

Her open hand was directed towards a bookshelf. "Wood and paper. I only see them in Simulations where the Master has a taste for the Old Times."

"Exactly. There is absolutely no reason for books when you have these," and she retrieved a dataslate from a nearby end table. "A curious thing. It reacts to my touch. They have devices like these and still opt for books. Their methods of communication are incredible yet they still call their leader 'King.' Funny, is it not?"

"They are rather funny barbarians."

"I agree fully on that. But barbarians can learn and eventually achieve enlightenment, can they not?"

"I suppose," he finally conceded.

Suddenly, there was a rap on the door. The Captain opened it, and there again was the human orderly, holding what appeared to be a letter, in a paper envelope, sealed by a wax icon and its contents undoubtedly written in ink. The Guard stepped aside to let her in.

"Most Serene One," she said. "A letter, from Quelsoc Ambassador."

"Thank you very much," Wen said in flawless English. She undid the seal and unfolded the paper within. Judging by the rather few lines of ink, the Captain estimated it to be a short message. Yet what it said was enough to make her brow furrow slightly.

"Dear me, what a heavy matter to take up on when I've just arrived. Miss August, would you mind writing my reply?"

"Not at all, ma'am."

[hr][hider=Letter to Barrier-2]
Good tidings, Barrier-2.

Firstly, let me thank you on behalf of my people on your kind words of acceptance. This is the first time my race has actively reached outwards to the other nations of the Galaxy, and your noble Technocracy has become foremost in recognizing us with the letter you just sent.

With regards to the disappearances of your citizens within Harmonic space, this is a matter that does not pertain exclusively to the Quelsoc Technocracy. I, as the representative of my people, intend to bring this matter up during the coming Council to prevent any misunderstandings about the entire affair. During that time, I will be honest in answering any questions you might have.

With the truest sincerity,
Wen Ten Xei, the Most Serene One[/hider]
[hr][@Natsucooldude]