“Come then; we can pick this back up later.” Freyr got up and led the way out of her office. The cacophonous racket from the builder drones had subsided now. Just a couple remained now with Human technicians to make the finishing touches to their new lab. At a glance, Freyr could see many of the main pieces she’d asked for. The captain had done very nicely in the short time available. 

Freyr traversed one of the primary walkways around the edge of the lab from her office to the exit, Vreta and Masgard in tow. She could see a few of her team had already got stuck into the equipment, hooking up data pads and continuing as normal. However, the majority of the new arrivals had congregated in a break-out area with sofas and potted plants. So she called out to attract everyone’s attention. “Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the OSC Barbarossa. Could i please speak with you all over here please?” The scientists in the lab area obediently dropped what they were doing and made their way over.

Freyr waited until everyone was in front of her before speaking, standing in the walkway with Vreta and Masgard at her sides. She smiled. “It’s good to see you all in person for a change. I trust you made it here without incident?” A few people nodded their heads, but most were just waiting patiently for what she had to say. A few eyed up the tall lizard alien next to her. “We’re about to embark on a two week journey to Rothia, to follow up a lead on a potential exo-Cradle object. I know some of you have family at home, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this sacrifice. I wouldn’t have asked you if it wasn’t vitally important to the whole of Outremer.” Freyr’s throat was bone dry after the scotch, so she gulped to try and moisten it. Most of the scientists had figured out this was going to be an extended trip, space voyages often were, but none of them would’ve known their destination until now.

“To help prepare us for our time on Rothia, we have Vreta’Sori with us. He’s going to coach us on Rothian culture, capabilities and overall condition over the next two weeks. Once we’re on Rothia, he will be our primary liaison with our Rothian co-researchers. Any questions so far?” One of the more junior scientists piped up immediately. “Does that mean we’re supposed to share our research with the Rothians?” Masgard’s hand quickly touched Freyr’s arm, prompting her to stop with her mouth half-open as he answered. “Right this moment, that won’t be necessary. But once we know what we’re up against, we’re to collaborate with the Rothians on any details that may be pertinent to the potential...exo-object.” Freyr nodded quickly and turned to Vreta. “Vreta’Sori, would you like to say a few words?”