[IC] To Tame a World (KingOfTheSkies & Tune)

[Tune]

Cretoria—a planet of just as many wonders as it has dangers.

The young Tal'jin had been focused on the planet, staring through one of her cabin windows for what seemed hours. Nephinae had heard of the planet in ancient lectures and documents, but to see its beauty in person was an experience that even descriptive writings could not outdo. She was amazed; dumbfounded, even, at the swirling mists floating over the landmass, and the clear blue color of the seas.

And now, here Nephinae was, ready to explore Cretoria alongside a mostly human organization of scientists and doctors.

Turning her gaze away from the window, Nephinae reached for her right forearm, activating the Tal'jini-manufactured data glove. For as long as Nephinae had been fixated on the planet, it was almost time for her and the rest of the landing party to prepare for orbital descent. Standing from her bed, Nephinae walked over to a nearby nightstand, and grabbed her pistol—sat nicely in its holster—to buckle around her waist. Her parents had forced Nephinae to carry it on her if she was going to travel far, far away from her home, but she had yet to find a need for it. Ultimately, however, Nephinae felt that it was better to be safe than sorry, especially when her parents' nagging would echo inside her thoughts.

Leaving her chambers with the few belongings she had, Nephinae began her walk through the numerous hallways of the Albertus Magnus that led to the hangar, passing by a familiar brown-haired human that would be accompanying them on this mission.

[Miraboreasu]

---

The young man was still unused to the atmosphere of the Albertus Magnus. It wasn't a military vessel, so rules were slightly more lax than normal, even for security personnel. He was adapting, slowly but surely, to his new post.

Not that he had much choice.

The comm unit in his ear beeped. "Private Llewellyn," he said. The young man was vaguely aware of a blue-haired Tal'jin passing behind him in the hallway.

"Private Llewellyn, you've been selected for field detail," a woman's voice informed him. "Please report to S-Deck for preparations."

"Acknowledged." A second, lower beep as the signal cut. Arye made his way to the nearest elevator and selected the S-Deck, confirming with his biometric signature. S-Deck, short for "Security Deck", was the part of the ship where security personnel trained and prepared for missions. There were smaller armories on every deck, but the largest was on S-Deck. He made his way to the command center.

[Tune]

Stepping outside an elevator, Nephinae found her way to the hangar bay in a matter of minutes. A few steps ahead was her ride down to the planet, a large boxy-like spacecraft, hastily attended to mechanics and other personnel as they finished last minute preparations. Most would've not spared it a second glance, yet to the young Tal'jin, her eyes were lit like a child receiving a present. The acute shape was much unlike anything Nephinae had seen before, especially when compared to the rounded appearance of Tal'jini craft. Eager to learn how the spacecraft flew, Nephinae approached a nearby mechanic before suddenly being pulled back away from the crowd.

"Ah, there you are."

Turning around, Nephinae came face to face with a silver-haired man with glasses, who seemed to be quite taller than the Tal'jin. His expression radiated with warmth, with a grin from ear to ear.

"You must be Nephinae, correct? Since we're going to be a part of the same research team, we all wanted to get to know you, but we never could seem to catch you." The man replied, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. Truly, behind him stood a group of three, each with their own individual traits—an innocent-looking green-haired man who simply nodded at the constant babble of a fiery, extroverted kid, and a gentle woman who met the Tal'jin's gaze with a smile and a wave.

As if on cue, Nephinae flourished with red, clearly embarrassed. "A-Ah, my apologies." She spoke with a smile. "My curiosity tends to get the better of me."

"Happens to the best of us." The man responded in jest, having roused a slight chuckle from him. With his thumb, he pointed to where a row of gear had been carefully organized. "There is a space suit for you over there. Once you get settled in, I'm sure there'll be time for some chitchat for curious minds like us before our security detail gets here. Sound good?"

There was little to no hesitation between his comment and Nephinae darting off. "I-I'll be right back!" The Tal'jin exclaimed, wondering what she might learn from intellectuals like her fellow teammates. The quest for knowledge could never end, after all.

[Miraboreasu]

---

The command center was quiet, though Arye made his way to a tall, muscular man and snapped a salute. "Private Llewellyn reporting," he said.

The man turned. "At ease." Arye lowered his arm. "Private Llewellyn, I've read your file. Insubordination, disobeying and striking a superior officer. These are serious offenses." He sat at a chair. "However, I read everything before that, and I trust you had damn good reasons.

"Before we go any further, I'm Commander Johnson. I'm the head of Security personnel on the Albertus Magnus. When I'm not around, you may call me whatever your heart desires, but when I am, you will address me as 'Sir'."

"Yes, sir." At least Johnson was giving him a chance.

"Good, now that that's out of the way…" Johnson cleared part of the desk, exposing a holographic projector. "You're being assigned to escort a group of scientists to the planet below. Basically a nature preserve, so your weapons will be locked to a nonlethal setting."

Johnson tapped the screen. "That said, this trip will require an exoskeleton." Arye frowned.

"'Require'?" he repeated. "Is it that dangerous?"

"A regular BDU won't cut it," Johnson said. "The rest of the information will be sent to your exo's computer. Read it on the way down. Head to the hangar bay as soon as you're ready. Dismissed."