[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/5luKqwy.png[/img] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [b]Southern Reaches[/b] [i]Unnamed System[/i][/center] The beacon continued unabated, occasionally switching its signal between a written message and the spoken word of a Noiran welcoming the anomaly. Pictures were shown in succession of various cities and landscapes of their planet, artistic works, and mathematics. The drone stood firm in its spot, just within visual range of the Peace Fleet, snapping photos as it waited. The signal, transmitted over FTL channels to Vol, soon reached the eager ears of few individuals... [center][b]Southern Reaches[/b] [i]Vol-Aoy System[/i] - Vol[/center] The room was small, cold, and quiet. The whirring of a multitude of computers droned amidst the otherwise silent atmosphere. Systems were active, patiently awaiting a signal to indicate a change. Five markers sat as dots on an illuminated screen, spread across five systems surrounding Vol at its center. Then, finally, one of them blinked, and a pulse of light spread from it intermittently. The computer's whirring kicked into higher gear, and the screen began to spam countless words and lists, unlocking and engaging a program protocol that, until then, had never been used. Somewhere, a phone rang. -------------------- Even behind the protection of a glass barrier, the office space was still plagued by the sound of [i]Rimusua[/i], the Eternal Hurricane. Rain pelted the glass barrier, coating it with a uniform wall of water. The skies beyond were grey and sunless. At the Distal Edge of Vol's habitable zone, sunlight reached only partially through the thick clouds, casting a dull, constant grey tone upon the windswept cityscape below. The office was spacious and simple. A desk and chair, plus a few armchairs situated to the side, were present. At the desk sat a studious woman, gaze trained down upon the virtual pads she was writing upon. Her face was obscured by a chevron-like mask of golden color made of a semi-transparent material. At the front of her desk was a symbol upon a hanging flag; two circles of differing sizes linked together by a thick line. The crest of Noiran society and civilization. There was a knock on the distant door, and before she could even answer, over a dozen individuals stepped inside, lining up evenly before the woman. They were Noiran of varying status; of note were two notable military [i]lixioxu[/i] -commanders. Commanders Aolfayer and Yaeiolo stood before her with poignant colors. Something was dire. "Eovuy-Misalxul," Aolfayer greeted, "System 3 has activated." Eovuy-Misalxul, supreme leader of the Haven, immediately turned a reddish-pink. Fright. "Which system?" she asked, dropping the tablet she was holding to give her full attention to the commander. Aolfayer nodded to one of the others present. A scientist of some renown. With the flick of a finger on their own tablet, a hologram spread into the empty space of the office between them and the desk. The same probe dot blinked endlessly. "What did they detect?" Misalxul continued. Images appeared then. Zoomed-in snapshots of battle-weary white ships. "It is understood that they used faster-than-light mechanisms to reach the system. We do not know from whence they came," the commander said. Misalxul sat up straight and fell silent for a moment, colors changing rapidly. Mixed feelings. Fear, apprehension, hope, consideration. "Battle-weary? Do they express hostility?" "It detected rising energy signatures the moment it's signal reached the spacecraft, but they did not retaliate. No signal has been received from them, however. We can only assume they are worried as well," Aolfayer said. "Have the drone approach... Slowly," Misalxul ordered. Violet color. Firmness. Several of those present left immediately and silently, while the two commanders remained. [center][b]Southern Reaches[/b] [i]Unnamed System[/i][/center] New protocol. Approach with peaceful intent. The drone began its slow movement towards the general center of the Peace Fleet, continuing to release signals reflecting Noiran culture, society, and language. A message was entwined, then, depicting a myriad of imaginative creatures standing side by side; an indicator of desire to meet with others.