“Very impressive. But, can it go three rounds in the ring with me?” 595 asked, raising her fists and bouncing on the balls of her feet, as if to brawl the supercarrier. She tested out six lightning fast jabs on the air that were quite hard to track with the naked eye, ducking left and right. Freyr giggled watching her and Vreta’s expression. 595 was wearing a black, skin tight combat suit today instead of her usual uniform. Her yellow hair was in a tight braid down the back of her head. Freyr thought she looked quite striking.

“That ship has quite an organic shape, is there a reason for that?” Masgard asked, pointing to the supercarrier. Freyr looked at it and even as someone who wasn’t generally interested in warships (apart from the AIs that helped run them), was intrigued by the massive ship’s unique silhouette.

The Barb sailed past the supercarrier, but they didn’t go too much further until a massive space structure loomed in the forward observation window. Freyr guessed it was some kind of orbital docking station, as several smaller craft were already clinging to it. They sidled up alongside the dock as Freyr carried on marvelling Rothia and it’s incredible black hole. Soon after, a voice sounded over the tannoy. “This is your captain. Docking is complete and a full stop has been achieved. Welcome to Rothia, everyone.” A few people cheered exuberantly as most of the crew began filing out of the observation deck. “Shall we go?” Freyr asked of everyone. “Don’t want to keep people waiting.”

Vreta tilted his head towards Masgard, though still kept his eyes looking out of the window. “Our construction processes can from any shape essentially as easily as any other. I don’t think it is any secret to say that curved surfaces distribute force more effectively than flat surfaces. Although, the hull is, of course, secondary to our energy shielding for the protection of the ship. I personally do not know all of the reasons for all of ours designs, but personally, I do find our ships and structures to be…elegant in form. Our cities, of course, do put more emphasis on beauty than our warships.”

---

After the captain announced their arrival, presumably once they had docked, Vreta eagerly joined the others to depart the ship and head down to the surface. Of course, anyone going to the surface, Vreta included, did need to go through customs in the station before they would be put on a shuttle down to the surface. However, Vreta, Freyr, and everyone associated with her science team were given the official classification of “Guests of the Rahn’Saki”, and as such were given priority through customs. For the Humans, each of them were required to either receive preventative anti-radiation treatment, or sign a comprehensive liability waiver affirming that they had received equitable treatment from their own doctors.

The automated shuttle that the group was given was shaped not unlike the Rothian police dropships back on Outremer, and it felt large and spacious on the inside, even for a team the size of Freyr’s. Despite the fact that they accelerated down towards the surface at immense speed, the passengers inside felt none of the forces at play. Without Rothian inertial compensation, the G-forces in the passenger compartment could easily be lethal to most species. Were it not for the windows, they would not even have been aware of the speeds at which they were moving.

Coming in from above provided a wonderful view of the city ahead of them. They were being brought to the Rothian capital city of Threria: the seat of the Rahn’Saki and the cultural center of Rothian civilization. Given the importance of the location, the Rothians had spared no expense in making it an appropriately spectacular location. The city itself was centered in a valley between two tall mountain ranges, both comparable in height to the Himalayas back on Earth, yet many of the massive skyscrapers that comprised the city reached high above the peaks of the mountains. They rose easily above the clouds, though the clouds themselves were guided by some invisible force to part around the city.

As Vreta’s words to Masgard had suggested, Rothian architecture did emphasize a certain kind of beauty. The skyscrapers were made with many of the same curved, organic shapes as their ships, but without the need to fulfill utilitarian purposes, their architects were free to express their own artistic visions. Though many emphasized curved, natural shapes, there was a good deal of variety in how the skyscrapers were built. Though, one common feature between many of the buildings were the walkways and platforms that connected between the buildings at certain levels. It essentially created “layers” to the city, where pedestrians could simply walk between buildings without the need for flight, though there was still space designated for flying vehicles to move between the layers.

“Welcome to Threria.” Vreta remarked, peering out of one of the windows. “Capital of, well, our civilization, really. From my understanding, you will all be given complementary accommodations here while we are waiting on those coordinates to be investigated.”

Freyr went with the flow through customs, taking her jabs and questions with a smile. She had been in multiple briefings with the captain and her senior staff, where they’d made it clear that they were guests on Rothia. If their hosts were keen to proceed through a rigamarole before ferrying them to their next destination, so be it. Eventually they were ushered into waiting shuttles and powered toward the surface.

Pretty much everyone packed against the windows and chattered noisily as Threria came into view. Freyr muscled herself toward a porthole next to Masgard and took in the long, non-linear skyscrapers and gorgeous mountains in the background. “So, have you brushed up on your Rothian law?” Freyr asked, pausing to watch his exquisite bearded face. He laughed. “Don’t get me started on Rothian law. I hope you’re on your best behaviour.” He wiggled his eyebrows, making her blush.

After a little while, Freyr felt the shuttle slow and they came in to land atop one of the city’s upper platforms. As they turned to park, she could see another shuttle close behind them, which must have contained the captain and her staff.

Vreta allowed the others to shuffle out of the shuttle ahead of him, being in no particular hurry himself. He could see a second shuttle landing beside them out the window, likely the captain. The Humans were not allowed weapons, but they were permitted to bring anyone they chose to these initial meetings. Vreta doubted that the captain would have too much to do now that they were on Rothia, but he understood why she would want to stay involved and keep tabs on the members of her crew.

When Vreta stepped out onto the landing pad, however, even he was visibly surprised by the welcoming party they had received. It was just a single individual that had come to collect them, but that person’s identity was known to him even before she introduced herself, and her mere presence was telling in a number of ways.

The Rothian in front of them towered over everyone else present, Vreta included. In fact, she was likely the largest Rothian any of them had seen in person. She was clearly a soldier, as she was armed and wearing full combat armor, though she did not carry a weapon in-hand. She did not wear a helmet, so they could see that she had jet black scales, with a striking pair of red eyes. “Greetings, I am Rareth’Jharn, Datius of the Rahn’Masser. If you’ll all come with me, we already have a meeting room arranged.”

Freyr or the other civilians might not have been aware, but to be greeted by a Datius supersoldier could be nothing less than a shock to those like Agent 595, or perhaps Masgard, who were more aware of the intricacies of the Rothian government. It was a shock to Vreta, and he had been warned ahead of time that his leaders were taking the situation more seriously. Though they were a part of the Rahn’Masser on paper, in practice, the Datius served directly at the behest of the Rahn’Saki themselves. The Datius were their eyes, ears, and their finest weapons. If a Datius was here, then that meant the Rahn’Saki had deemed this matter a priority, and they were taking a direct, personal interest in it. As well, it was clear that they wanted the Humans to know that they considered this a priority.

Freyr recoiled slightly upon seeing the large, crimson-eyed and obsidian-scaled Rothian that stood between them and the entrance to the skyscraper. It was massive, probably around nine feet. Freyr wondered whether this imposing stature had been engineered, or whether Rothians just had a rather large variation in body types.

With her hair whipping about in the wind, Freyr watched the second craft’s doors as they opened to let the occupants out.

Captain Andersen was the first to appear, flanked on the right by a holographic representation of her XO. Freyr could see a small orb with multiple projectors floating in the middle of the man’s semi-translucent body.

On the captain’s left was another large object, that Freyr quickly made out to be a person covered from head to toe in light blue armour. They were tall, over seven foot, with broad shoulders. Like the looming Rothian welcome wagon, they didn’t hold a weapon. Instead, they carried a hefty wooden box of an exquisite design.

Behind these three, Freyr made out a smattering of the Barb’s other senior staff members and the Outremer Security Council delegate, most of whom she hadn’t talked to yet.

The two groups converged in front of the Datius, the captain nodding a greeting at Freyr. She was the one who spoke for them all, in the end. “Gladly. Please, lead the way.”

To an extent, Vreta felt fortunate that he was not likely to be a primary participant in this meeting. He had been in the presence of Datius before, and especially since he had joined the Rahn’Masser, it always felt like a nervewracking experience. It was not so much that he felt threatened by them as it was that they were practically legendary figures. Something any agent would aspire to one day become. He simply did not want to embarrass himself in front of one of them.

In any case, all that Rareth did for the moment was to simply lead the sizable Human delegation through the building and down one floor into their reserved conference room. Even with the tall ceilings that tended to be built into Rothian architecture, Rareth’s head still came close to touching it, and she had to duck slightly through some doorways. The Humans had sent word ahead of the large group that would be in attendance, so they had arranged for a room of ample size to comfortably accommodate everyone. In fact, it looked as if it could accommodate an entire department for a meeting, or double as an auditorium. Even with the combined size of both delegations, there was plenty enough space to move around easily, and even extra tables with refreshments. Vreta expected that there would be time afterwards for the members of both science teams to meet each other individually and mingle. Given that one wall was a massive, floor-to-ceiling window with a wonderful view over the city, they would have quite a backdrop for it.

The science team comprised the majority of the Rothian delegation: about a dozen individuals. There were a few others as well, including Vreta’s direct superior in the Rahn’Masser, though he suspected that particular relationship would be kept secret for the purposes of this meeting. One detail that the Humans would likely notice right away was the differences in appearance for Rothians here, compared to those who worked on Outremer. Human conventions for “professionalism” did not apply on Rothia, so there was no need for them to choose natural designs or coloration for their scales. Among modern Rothian society, creativity and artistic expression for one’s own body was essentially the core of Rothian fashion. Similar to tattoos in Human society, the scales of most of the Rothian scientists bore striking colors and intricate designs of widely different styles, including the team leader who introduced herself as soon as they were all seated.

“Welcome, it is good to finally be meeting you all. I am Marae’Ano, project leader for our expedition. I am sure I am not the first to say so, but I would like to welcome you warmly to Rothia.” The woman remarked. Her scales were an eye-catching contrast of solid while scales as the backdrop, with deep black scales forming a detailed design. It was a design that seemed to consist of one long, continuous line that flowed and swirled across her body like a current through the ocean, creating patterns that seemed distinct, yet without ever breaking the line itself.

“Thank you, Marae’Ano. It’s good to meet you all as well. We’ve received a warm welcome on Rothia, for which we’re very grateful. As a token of our appreciation, please accept this humble gift, delivered on behalf of the Outremer administration.” Andersen turned in her seat and motioned with one hand. The silent soldier in the blue armour marched over to a side table between the two parties and carefully placed the wooden box they’d been carrying on it.

“The box was crafted by hand from a bough of the Threnody Root, a unique, protected tree system that grows in the caves of Outremer’s south pole. Inside, is the Phoenician Staff. Part of a collection, this staff was originally part of the engine casing for the first colonist ship to touch down on Outremer, three hundred and fifty years ago.” Freyr had heard of the Staffs. The colonial administration ordered their creation after the first contact ships were retired. They used parts, each with a unique documented story to tell from the journey across. She realised she really wanted to see it in person.

“Now, shall we get to the part of the meeting everyone is here for?” Captain Andersen grinned, drumming her fingers on the table in front of her. “Can you please bring up your latest scans of Rothia’s surface?” She asked the Rothian delegation in front of her. When a 3d model of the planet appeared in the middle of the table, slowly spinning, Andersen pulled a small hard drive from her chest pocket. She stood up and carefully slid it across the table. “Plug this in.”

Once the coordinates had been inserted, the double-sided hologram moved to one end of the table, so everyone could see. The viewpoint zoomed in on a one hundred mile square of the planet. A pulsing red dot appeared on the surface of the ocean, about fifty miles from the nearest landmass. “That...is where we should look first, ladies and gentlemen. We believe whatever our Cradle was trying to talk to must be at the bottom of the ocean, or inside the planetary crust. Any questions?”

The Rothians were quick to discuss privately through messages between their implants, deciding that Marae’Ano would be the one to accept their gift. She responded without much delay. “We thank you for your gift. I would like to apologize if there is a custom of yours we do not end up observing, but rest assured that we are appreciative of your gesture. If it is appropriate to do so, I shall have the staff displayed in our lab as a symbol of our cooperation.”

Once the meeting began in earnest and the coordinates were given, several of the Rothian scientists immediately started to double-check not only the most recent scans, but also earlier scans of the area to see if there was anything that stood out at the identified location. Rareth, meanwhile, paced around a part of the table, carefully observing the projection in front of them from a few angles. The chairs at the table were adjustable to a wide variety of body sizes, but Rareth was still a bit too large to use them comfortably, so she had remained standing from the start.

“Provided that our previous scans have revealed nothing at these coordinates, I can have another ship sent to the area for a more in-depth scan. It is my understanding that your Cradle has an active system to block attempts at scanning, correct? If you can provide us with copies of your previous attempts, both the process and results, it is possible we may be able to learn how to bypass this interference.” Rareth suggested.

Agent 595 jumped in immediately after the large Rothian was finished speaking. “That won’t be possible at this time. The Cradle ecosystem is very delicate, and we can’t risk any potentially catastrophic outward interference. Even if it’s by accident as a result of our efforts on Rothia.” Freyr glanced at her before jumping in after. “However, we have made good progress in identifying when the Cradle jams signals and what that looks like on modern equipment. If we apply the learnings here, we might notice a pattern that betrays the presence of Cradle-tech?” 595 begrudgingly nodded her approval.

“Any information you give us will bring us that much closer to a solution to the problems plaguing your planet.” Rareth replied to the agent, though she kept a cordial tone. “And yes, Dr. Lang, if you have a method that could help us locate this Cradle tech, we would be appreciative of you sharing it. My people are quite patient, of course, but the stability of your planet relies on us returning your Cradle to working order as quickly as we can.”

Marae’Ano cleared her throat and queued up a new set of data to project on the table’s central hologram, though she did not yet display it. “Yes, well, the actual search for this object or objects is not something I think the majority of our respective teams will be able to assist with, Dr. Lang. I will have my best geologist and archeologist analyzing the results, of course, but I think most of us will have to be content with waiting here in the city until something is actually found. In the meantime, it is my understanding that you allegedly found something rather unbelievable in tests on Rothian DNA, yes? Patterns that match coordinates in the Cradle’s language. I would quite like to see the data on those tests, and whatever information you have on the language in question.”

“Urgh - talk about laying it on thick.” 595 sent in the Human delegation’s group chat while the Datius was talking. Freyr didn’t dare look to see if anyone outwardly responded to the quip. Looking at the towering alien figure, she thought the black-clad agent was the bravest person she’d ever met, even if she hadn’t said anything out loud. Freyr nodded at the Datius. “We can share that with you as a priority.” She answered, keeping her voice level and constructive.

“Am we alright to give them the DNA tests and language research?” Freyr shot across the private channel while the Rothian lead scientist was talking.

“Yeah that’s fine. Lets see what they come up with.”

“Yes, we could scarcely believe the results ourselves.” Freyr answered, looking across the line of lizardy faces hanging on her every word. “But we’ve quadruple checked now. It’s our belief that whatever is at those coordinates encoded your DNA with a message millions of years ago, in the hopes you would eventually find your way to the Cradle. I don’t want to overstep at this early stage...but it may even have given you some of the tools you needed to become an intelligent, dominant species from an early stage of your development.”

A reaction that Freyr didn’t quite understand rippled through the assembled Rothians. She pushed on, keen to finish what she had to say. “But yes, of course we can share this with you and welcome your new perspective in analysing the evidence. We’ll also share what we have on the Cradle’s language set once we’re set up in the lab.”

Marae herself did not react as strongly as some of the other Rothian scientists. Or at least, she did not join in their whispers and murmuring. Though, she was silent for a few moments, presumably as she conferred with another in her own private channel. “Yes, we certainly want to repeat those experiments. I have an AI well-suited to analyzing language patterns, or patterns in general.”

Despite Freyr’s confidence in her team’s results, Marae did not seem to share it without the chance to analyze the evidence for herself. In fact, there did seem to be a distinct air of skepticism among many of the Rothian scientists gathered, based on their reactions. Still, it was not as if Marae was rejecting the idea outright, and skepticism could be a healthy trait in science.

“We want to give you access to our lab and equipment.” Marae soon continued. “It is my opinion that it would be best for us all to work as one team, with the best tools available. We can begin orientation on our processes and equipment first thing in the morning. Hopefully, by the time we are able to find whatever Cradle technology might exist on Rothia, you will have had time to become adjusted. Oh, and before I forget, Vreta’Sori mentioned in his messages that he suggested you try the same tests on Human DNA as you did on ours. Did you try those tests? What were the results, if you did?”

“They were always likely to prefer a Rothian lab.” Said a person she hadn’t been introduced to yet on the group chat as soon as Marae mentioned it. From the comms signature, Freyr knew it was one Kalax Verengonig talking, Outreman Ambassador to Rothia. Freyr peeked down her side of the table and spotted a long, elegant man with an ‘asteroid belt’ physique that fitted the bill.

“But we have a state of the art Cradle lab on the Barb. We don’t need to integrate!” 595 retorted. “We might learn something, Agent. Make the call, Dr Lang.” Captain Andersen shot back.

“We’d be pleased to see your lab, and show you ours. I think between our two workshops we can find the right tools for the job.” Freyr replied out loud with a smile, trying to be diplomatic. “As for the experiment on Human DNA, it’s ongoing and inconclusive so far.”

From what Vreta could see, there were a few among the Rothian science team that were showing subtle signs of discontent, or at the very least, impatience. But, Marae was still the one speaking for them, and she just took a moment in thought before replying. “Yes, true, we will need to see your lab. If you have any specialized equipment for studying the Cradle, we will need to replicate it with our technology for us all to use. Rest assured, I doubt it will take much time for you and your team to become orientated to our equipment and procedures, and we will work much more efficiently together using them.”

---

After their first few topics of discussion, most of what was left were the more mundane details of how they intended to organize their respective teams during the expedition. It was an important, if dull, conversation that did drag on for a few hours, but if all went well, it was one they would only need to have once.

Vreta himself did not have all too much to contribute to the discussions, as he had done much of his work to prepare Freyr and her team on the voyage over. He simply gave the occasional recommendation or clarification when needed. Vreta did not expect that their problems were over, as more would certainly crop up once the two teams started actually working together, but once the meeting was finally adjourned, he was finally able to relax for the moment. There were no other points of business left on the agenda for the rest of the day.

While some of those in attendance left as soon as the meeting was over, others lingered around in the room for a short while afterwards, many of them taking advantage of the table with refreshments over by the window. There was one matter that had been stirring in Vreta’s mind for months, by this point, and he finally felt that it was a good time to speak to Freyr about it, as he finally had a good opportunity to separate her from the handlers the Outremer government had surrounded her with.

“A wonderful view, isn’t it?” Vreta remarked as he stepped up alongside Freyr. It was getting to be later in the day, so the void star above them was creeping lower in the horizon. Though, Vreta did not intend to dwell much on small talk. He wanted to ask his question before someone else had a chance to pull her away. “There is something I would like to speak to you about. It could be good news for you, but it is also rather…personal to you. Not something I think you would want to talk about in a crowd. If you would like, I know of a very nice restaurant where we could get a private table and talk in peace. My treat.” He suggested.

“Yeah, gorgeous.” Freyr murmured, nursing a glass of water. She’d done a quick circuit of the room after the meeting had concluded, introducing herself to Kalax and a few of the Rothian researchers. Now though, she stood by the box containing the Phoenician Staff, a hand caressing the smooth wood as she gazed into the distance.

She looked at Vreta and laughed softly, searching his eyes for some kind of cue as to his meaning. “It sounds like you’re asking me out on a date, Vreta’Sori. I’ll have you know i’m a happily married woman. What’s this about?” She smiled, only half-serious; a nice dinner without the trappings of the Barb hanging around her sounded like a nice distraction.

”What did i tell you? The guy is obsessed.” A voice interrupted her tranquil mindset. Freyr glanced behind Vreta and spotted 595 looking at her while talking to the Security Council delegate. ”Are you listening in on my conversation right now?” Freyr shot back. ”It’s my fucking job to protect you, Dr Lang. May i remind you that everything we say and do on Rothia is recorded? That succeeded in sending a shiver down Freyr’s spine. “Perhaps we could arrange a private setting on the Barb instead? I don't want to intrude on Rothian social circles more than I need to.” She suggested to Vreta.

“A date?” Vreta remarked, slightly tilting his head. “Hmm, no, such outings are not uncommon among Rothian friends and acquaintances.” He explained. Although, her suggestion to go back to the Barbarossa did cause some notable hesitation for Vreta.

“Going back to the Barb is an option, but I will say that going back to the ship would require us to go through customs again, going to the ship and coming back. We could reach a restaurant here in the city in just a few minutes. If you are opposed to visiting an establishment here on Rothia, we could just go to a meeting room down the hall and talk. I simply thought it would be a nice treat, after so long on the ship. The restaurant I had in mind is simply phenomenal; among the best on Rothia.” Vreta smiled. “And I suppose I can admit some…alternative motivation in wanting to show off what my planet has to offer.”

Freyr chuckled, running a hand through her hair. “It’s okay. I’m only joking.” She glanced behind Vreta again and almost betrayed an expression of complete shock at what she saw. Both Kalax the Ambassador and 595 were looking at her now. They were both facing the same way, their left side to her and their backs to the majority of the group. Kalax was subtly sticking his rear out and had an index finger stuck against his pursed lips in a ‘sshhhh’ motion. 595 was gyrating slowly up against him, gently patting his behind with an impish grin on her face.

“I have some ladies evening wear you can borrow. I import the latest sartorial vogue from Outremer and other Human colonies.” Kalax joined their private comms. “Kalax and I will chaperone you lovebirds on your date, now we’re all firm friends.” 595 added. WILL YOU TWO BEHAVE?! Freyr mind-shouted, before hurriedly smiling at Vreta as he began to turn to where she kept glancing, presumably catching on that she was preoccupied. “Ok, that does sound lovely! I think the meeting is well and truly over.” Freyr said, feigning a good look around the room.

595 and Kalax were closest, deep in conversation, as were most of the other delegates. “Do you want to go soon? I can be dismissed and we can set off now if you like.”

“Yes, I think I am ready to leave as soon as you are. I shall go out to the landing pad and arrange transport.” Vreta replied. He gave Freyr the chance to get herself ready while he went outside to wait. Before he had even left the building, their transport was already on the way to the landing pad outside. In Rothian cities, transportation tended to be government-provided in the form of automated flying vehicles that could simply be called via the city’s public network at no charge, for locals and tourists alike. The vehicles themselves were comfortable, and built to most Rothians’ standards of luxury, so they were commonly used by all economic classes.

As soon as Freyr rejoined Vreta, the pair of them departed for the restaurant. Technically, the establishment he had in mind was across the city, but since it was on the upper level as well, it would only take a few minutes to reach. In general, traversing the city did not take too long, but the highest travel times were often associated with traveling through the more congested passways between layers of the city. Of course, even with the short trip, Vreta did notice that the two of them were not alone in leaving early. The agent and the Human ambassador left just after them, heading in the same direction. The Human pair might have wanted to pass off the fact that they were following them as a simple coincidence, but the restaurant to which Vreta was taking Freyr was not exactly a place one would visit casually. As would be obvious once they landed, the restaurant was a particularly high-class establishment, even by Rothian standards.

The name of the restaurant was Etisxa’Maan, meaning “Galaxy’s Jewel”. Assuming one had not already heard of it beforehand, any quick search would reveal that it was a luxury restaurant that specialized in expensive, rare, and exotic foods not only from Rothia, but all corners of the galaxy. They claimed to have in their employ at least one chef of interstellar renown from every spacefaring species in the galaxy, and most reviewers agreed that the quality of their cuisine did match their claims. The restaurant itself took up several floors at the very top of the skyscraper, so it had a viewpoint even higher than the mountains surrounding the city, and the walls were mostly windows to obstruct that view as little as possible. Similarly to their galactic cuisine, the restaurant was decorated with art, such as paintings, sculptures, and holographic designs, purchased from each of the species represented. Freyr might even have recognized some more famous Human art pieces. Despite coming from wildly different cultures, every decoration was still selected carefully to cultivate the refined atmosphere they were seeking.

Generally, Etisxa’Maan was an establishment that would require reservations to even think about getting a seat, but Vreta paid a premium fee for preferred seating on a balcony overlooking the city…something that either the ambassador or Agent 595 would have to do as well if they wanted to even have a chance of being seated.

Freyr confirmed she was no longer needed for the day with Captain Andersen, which was customary as a passenger on an Outreman warship. She quickly made her way around the remaining delegates, saying thank you for the meeting and goodbye for now. “Did you want to stop by my place and get changed, Dr Lang?” Ambassador Verengonig asked as she walked toward the exit.

“No thank you. That was really unprofessional by the way, butting into my conversation like that.” Freyr directed her venom primarily at agent 595, who she was sure masterminded the whole thing. “Says the woman consorting with spies at every turn!” 595 snorted. “I am just trying to save you from a precipitous fall from grace down the line, sweetie.” Freyr huffed in despair and stormed off.

She was in a foul mood when she rejoined Vreta in the flyer to the restaurant. She had secretly wanted to indulge the Ambassador and dress up, but was fed up to the back teeth of being condescended by this mysterious guardian angel she’d picked up along the way. Freyr hadn’t forgotten 595’s words about Vreta, but the agent's polarising behaviour had inclined her to risk it, if purely for the pleasure of disobeying.

“Wow.” Freyr gasped upon seeing the view from the balcony on one side of the restaurant where they were seated. She temporarily forgot her annoyance as she took in the landscape behind the capital’s dominant mountainscape “You certainly aren’t short on views in Threria.” They sat down and a Tindrel waiter clacked over on all fours to pour them a starting drink from a jug. “Is this an every day affair for you?” Freyr asked, taking a sip.

Vreta too looked out over the horizon to admire the view before them. It was true that he had seen many, many such views in his life, but he could still found that he could clear his mind and enjoy the beauty within them. Although, in this case, he did not lose his focus for long. “Oh, no, even I only come to this place on special occasions. I think it is a fair way to celebrate a return to home after these weeks away.” Vreta answered, pausing briefly to thank the insectoid waiter serving their drinks. There was a small, holographic display near each seat that could be activated to show a menu, which provided a quick answer as to why even Vreta visited only on occasion. As long as Freyr had a quick way of making the conversion for exchange rates, the prices could be best described as “extravagantly expensive.”

On Rothia, there was, of course, the ever-present knowledge that every word and action was recorded, even if it was not done obviously. Most cameras and other sensors were hidden well out of sight. However, aside from when the waiter was nearby, there were currently no other people within normal earshot of them. Once the waiter had moved on for the moment to give them time to order, Vreta spoke up again, this time in a bit softer of a voice. “I would normally wait a bit longer to get straight to business, but…I don’t think it would be fair of me to keep you waiting on this particular topic. Like I mentioned before, it is rather personal to you. It’s about your family; your husband and daughter. I know it is a sensitive topic, but I want to help. I will just give my intentions plain: I want to try to work towards a deal to start medical trials for using Rothian technology to treat people who have ‘died’ in the Cradle, or had their minds otherwise incapacitated.”