Arrival [High Earth Orbit] (Open, feel free to join in)

[Anonymous]

For hours, the craft had drifted through the hyperspace wormhole, the ship's crew relaxing and at ease, a woman sitting on the command chair having finished her morning tea. "Lieutenant Koizumi... report." She would say, slender fingers grasping around the steaming cup as the Lieutenant turned to face his superior. "Commandant, Ma'am, our navigational systems point us to nearing arrival, we will arrive at A-3 in a few minutes, shall we commence exit preparations?" A few silent moments would pass, the only noises echoing on the bridge of the Kaze no Tani were the background sounds of computers beeping, and keys clacking from other crewmen, Commandant Katamura silently thought for a moment, then she would speak once more. "Lieutenant, bring us out of hyperspace."

With a steady keystroke, and the input of the commands, the ship would begin to power down, bright fluorescent lights illuminating the bridge brightly, the Kaze no Tani began to slow, and with that, a cloudy blue window of sorts would open somewhere in high earth orbit, with a flash of light, the large Taiyou carrier would be ejected, rapidly decelerating and coming to a drift. With that, the Lieutenant would speak once more. "Commandant, we've exited hyperspace, I'm picking up numerous contacts, they seem to be negligible." Ayako would give a brief nod. "All hands check in. I want a rundown on all the ship's systems.."

The Kaze no Tani was a hulking form, roughly 1.5 kilometers in length, she sported multiple weapons systems, from high-caliber bow-cannons. 280mm Deck guns. Missile racks and 90 caliber rotary machine guns also made their scans. The Shokaku class carrier positioning itself, holding position but ever so vigilant.

"Weapons, reactor, hyperdrive, and sublight engines all check in as green." Lieutenant Satomi reported. Ayako would smile at this, it was a jump that had gone very smoothly. "Everything is accounted for?" The Lieutenant then responded. "Yes ma'am, reactor cores are responding at 120% just as you had instructed they be run." Ayako then nodded. "Very good then, in exactly one hour I want a shuttle prepared, I'm going to go to the surface to make contact with the natives." She said as she stood from her seat. "I will be in the mess hall eating lunch if I am needed, Captain Azuma... you have command." With a crisp salute the Captain would respond. "Yes ma'am." And move to the command chair, Captain Azuma was an older man, salt and pepper hair and a medium build, and a crisp white Taiyou dress white uniform. Ayako would quietly make her way through the expansive cooridors of the ship, finding her place in the mess hall, and a bench.

Grilled squid and rice was on the menu for the day, Ayako did not care to very much for it, having dished the rice up, she would head back to her table, and proceed to eat, chewing thoughtfully on the rice that had been placed in her mouth with her chopsticks, the Taiyou culture was very much like the ancient Japanese culture, but having survived over the centuries, humans transplanted by a powerful alien race millions of years ago had developed into the expansive Empire. Niihama one of many worlds.

[Anonymous]

Compared to the long trip through hyperspace undergone by the crew of the Kaze no Tani, the crew of To Seek, To Find had an infinitively shorter trip to reach their destination. However, speed came at a price, and the intricate equations that were calculated so a Point Singularity Jump could be safely executed were rendered completely moot by the emergence of the massive ship from hyperspace the very second the kalfan scoutship initiated it's jump. The sleek, almost organic-looking ship, barely a twentieth of the massive carrier, blinked into reality with with flash of light, less then a half-kilometre from the hull of the Kaze no Tani.

On board, completely unaware of the situation they had jumped into due to the momentary disruption to their vessel's sensors by the radiation burst of the jump, the crew set about normal post-jump procedures. Ardo T17-P8Q disengaged himself from the vessel's uplink, grunting slightly as the jacks removed themselves from the ports at his elbows and neck. Always felt good to remove oneself from the uplink, get one's own self back. He pushed himself up out of his chair at the centre of scoutship's bridge as the virtual console powered up before him. "Jump executed successfully." the red kalfa intoned dryly, still trying to rid himself of the remnants of the cold, emotionless malaise that characterized the uplink "Confirm position?"

"Constellation alignments confirmed." an almost robotic voice sounded to one side

"Life support systems active. No environmental hazards detected" a different voice this time, but of identical tone

"DANGER! Sensors indicate collision imminent."

"Confir-wait, what?" the haze lifted by the unexpected announcement, Andras' fingers flew over a series of virtual keys, attempting to discover the reason for the anomalous warning

"Autopilot engaged, preparing to enter-"

"No! Negatory! Disengage autopilot!" Andras hollered in a panic... this can't be right... how could they be this close to something that big? What happened

"Unable to process command at this moment. Autopilot-"

"RRRGH!" Andras growled in frustration... what did she mean, unable to process command? Did she delete a base function to make room for a water marda game or something? "Sorry, Zena..." he muttered under his breath "But, you'd feel a lot worse if we crashed into whatever that is out there..." his hand landed on a virtual wheel lock, and with a quick spin of his hand, it forcefully ejected the smaller blue kalfa sitting down below Andras from the uplink.

"One hundred meters to collision"

"AAH!" the startled, almost pained, gasp was all the confirmation Andras needed.

"Manual helm control to command console" he shouted

"Helm functions transfered" the impassive, emotionless voice confirmed behind him. Wasting not a single second, Andras frantically brought up the pilot console, and literally tore at the virtual controls, firing all reverse and pitch thrusters, spinning the sleek vessel away from the colossal carrier. To Seek, To Find's hull groaned under the strain of the hairpin turn, but Andras really didn't have a choice... this was going to be close. The kalfan scoutship roared over the hull of the Taiyou vessel, missing impact by mere metres. Yet, mercifully, the scoutship cleared the carrier, leaving it spinning into clean space.

Andras, who'se face had been frozen in a mask of shock and horror, finally let some blood return to his extremities, and he fell back into his chair with an undignified FWOOMP. "I... I..." he rested his forehead on a hand "This is going to be fun, isn't it?" He wearily raised a hand, and pressed another button on the console in front of him "Disengage all components. We are going to need to have a talk..." Groans and pneumatic hisses filled the bridge of the scoutship as the remainder of the crew released from the uplink "But before I go and rip on you guys... there was no way we weren't noticed. Laryn?"

"Hmm?" the voice from his left this time wasn't cold or robotic any longer, more tired and somewhat dazed.

"Ring up that vessel there for me, will you? We've got some explaining to do. Oh, and Emrys?" An annoyed grunt over his shoulder in response "You and Zena are going to be spending the next work running a full diagnostic here... on everything. Have fun."

Before the green kalfa had a chance to reply, Laryn spoke up again "I think we're hailing them. I think... never seen that kind of ship before"

"Good..." Andras nodded as he pulled himself to his feet again, wings sagging slightly from weariness "Just, V? E? Please be prepared to run if they don't prove to be all that forgiving..."

[Anonymous]

All seemed fairly normal, that was until a contact registered dangerously close to the Carrier's hull. The young Lieutenant Satomi would look to the screen, eyes narrowing as he frowned. "Captain... we have an unknown contact, bearing 5-3-2 code 2-2-1... collision impact probable..." He said as the Captain would go wide eyed. "Sound general quarters! This is not a drill... I want a weapons lock on that thing now!" He shouted as alarms began to klaxon, the bridge dimming to a bright red illumination. "Lieutenant Tadokoro, Lieutenant Hoshi, Lieutenant Sakuro.... evasive maneuvers, full military thrust!" He barked, sweat forming at his brow.

Slowly and surely the Kaze no Tani would begin to initiate a G-turn away from the smaller ship. The Shokaku Class Carrier was massive compared to this smaller ship, but despite it's size, it maneuvered fairly well, it's markings appeared to be in a strange ideographic language, and the ship seemed to be a carrier or mother ship of sorts. All while the Shokaku Carrier would form a weapons lock from point defense deck guns onto the smaller ship.

"Captain Azuma report!" Commandant Katamura shouted as she ran onto the bridge, the Captain speaking up. "Ma'am, unknown contact exited hyperspace within our Inner-firing solution, if we did not take evasive action, collision would have been likely." Lieutenant Satomi then spoke. "Sir, Ma'am, unknown contact has also taken evasive action, they are hailing us, shall we respond?" Ayako then stroked her chin slightly. "Hm... there goes my trip to make contact with the natives." She said to herself then looked to Satomi. "Weapons standby, remove the lock, are they displaying hostile tendencies?" Satomi then shook his head. "No ma'am, they haven't." He explained, Ayako nodding as the order was passed on, the Kaze no Tani's weapon systems would remove their lock and point elsewhere.

"Alright, all range comms, broadcast, all frequencies." Ayako stated as she thumbed through her mind to find the right words for common. "Attention unknown vessel, this is Commandant Ayako Katamura, of the the Taiyou Empire vessel, Kaze no Tani, you are hereby ordered to identify yourself, or we will take abrasive action." She explained plainly, her voice hinting at an accent unheard of in this world, but her voice was also smooth, eloquent even. After the link was terminated, Ayako would then transmit video, she was a young woman, Asian features, in her late twenties. Crisp white dress white tunic, black tie, and white blouse worn under, as well as white pants and sneakers, and a white naval cap with gold and the Taiyou insignia. The bridge of her ship was clean, airy, and open, men and women in duty whits, crisp, almost a snow white seen working away at their stations.

[Anonymous]

(Sorry about the absence... Internet went. Again. Welcome to Winter in Canuckistan! >.>)

Andras cocked his head slightly as the warning from the Taiyou vessel sounded over the speakers"Abrasive action. We-he-hell now." He hopped down to small rise to the lower section of the bridge, and slapped Zena on the shoulder "Smashing piloting there, Z! Wonder of wonders that we didn't end up inside the core of those gas giants there, eh?"

"Unngh..." came the weak reply from the blue kalfa, brain still trying to sort itself out properly after being unceremoniously ejected from the uplink.

"That's what I said." Andras smirked, before moving himself to the right side of the small bridge, standing in front of the bridge's video communications screen "L?"

"Boss?" came the chipper reply from the station beside him

Andras straitened out his jacket somewhat "Let's give the Commandant what she asked for before she decides to test out her targeting systems, shall we?"

Laryn flicked a few switches, and the visual feed flickered on the screen. Of course, what either side was expecting, neither side received. If the crew of the Kaze no Tani was expecting contact with the natives, instead what they had before them was a alien vessel, more foreign to this region of space then the Taiyou were themselves. Before them was a being that looked much as if someone had taken several species and thrown them into a blender together... reptilian, mammalian, and avian features all evident, along with mechanical implants that appeared to have been grown instead of surgically implanted. The being directly in front of viewscreen was red furred and feathered, shorter than a human, wearing a brownish jacket of some sort of leatherish material. Behind him was a small bridge, haphazardly thrown together, wires and conduits hanging from the ceiling and draping over railings, some appearing disturbingly organic in nature, connecting to almost flesh-like growths on the walls, as if the vessel was as alive as the alien crew were mechanical. There were two other aliens visible on screen at the moment, one white furred and one green, but wearing similar outfits, and with enough physical similarities, from skull structure to overall build to... wings, that logic would dictate they were of the same species.

As for the crew of To Seek, To Find, well... their surprise was best illustrated by the look on Andras's face, both eyebows raised behind his shaggy mane, natural eye opened wide. "By the Monarch..." he breathed in disbelief as a grin crept onto his face "Humans. Gods above and below... they were right. Humans!" he chuckled in disbelief, before shaking himself out of his stupor "Right, identify ourselves..." the red kalfa straitened himself, clasping his hands behind his back. "I am Ardo T17-P8Q, Commander of the kalfan scoutship, To Seek, To Find, bearing allegiance to the  mothership Eranathis' Rage" the red kalfa let a smile creep onto his face once again "And, you'll have to excuse me saying so... we have been looking for your people for a very, very long time, Commandant." he chuckled once again, not knowing that these humans were not from Earth, or even aware that they to had stumbled upon the Homeworld of both their races.

[Anonymous]

((No worries, it happens, we get some nasty storms running through here too.))

Shock would be the reaction to say the least, the various crew aboard the bridge of the Kaze no Tani would stare at the screen before them oddly, the brighly lit, crisp clean and ergonomic design of the Kaze no Tani's bridge definitely contrasted with the To Seek's, to find's bridge, bright fluorescent lights keeping the ship's bridge brightly lit, and it was filled with LCD screens at various stations, to a large holographic map in the center behind the Commandant. Shock too would register as she eyed his features over. "By the gods.." She said as she held her hand briefly over her mouth, but composure quickly took over the woman's features, as she pulled herself together. Although human in appearance, she too would have implants, her brain having been fully cyberized to interface with computers. But the telltale sign of that was hidden, several ports at the base of her skull, appearing to be in the back of her neck.

"Looking for us for a very long time, you say? Funny for our species have never made contact before." She said as she turned to Captain Azuma. "Azama-san! Rengou AXIS, desu ka?" She would shout in an odd language, the Captain replying, his head shaking. "Iie, watashi shinen no gaijin desu." Ayako then frowned and turned her attention back to Andras. "Commander Ardo, how can you seek out a race, that has never traversed this space, we are far beyond our home world's outermost colonies, where do you hail?" She would ask, an inquisitive look playing across her features. "We're been dispatched here to investigate strange energy readings that have just been picked up by our long range telescopes, but also to scout out potential outposts and colonies, from the reconnaissance teams dispatched, the world seems to be in a bind, the Lt. Commander I dispatched reported that the world is unsuitable to sustain human life, what brings you to this world?" Ayako inquired, looking over the being's features as Azuma went over the database of various alien species, with no match being found.

[Anonymous]

Andras lowered his head slightly to hide his growing smile at the human's shock... well, he didn't expect them to have any records or the bajra, the ancestors of the modern kalfa, so of course seeing aliens like them would be startling. But, the red kalfa noted to himself, there were far stranger beings out there in the wide and weird galaxy... a good number, seeing as how if the records from times primordial held true, the bajra were created by the humans. Which, ironically enough was the answer to the human's next question. When the commandant turned to speak to a colleague, Andras was forced to cock an eyebrow in Laryn's direction "Problem with the translation matrix, L?"

"I..." the black kalfa looked at her station, and shrugged "I don't know. The language's syntax and phonology might not yet be compatible with the system, or..."

"Well, isn't this just simply ironic. We can talk to species we've just met for the first time ever, and whose biology is completely alien, but humans, nope..." he sighed and shook his head... oh, technology, proving yet again why sentients are still needed.

The commandant's attention returned to the viewscreen, and before Andras had the opportunity to respond to her question, she continued on, adding to the list of answers he would have to give. Was she stalling for time, or something? Ahh well... he shot a glance towards Zena, still partially incapacitated, not like they could execute a jump now if they decided to open fire or tractor them in. Things would go from zero to ugly in microseconds.

However, as Katamura continued, it became increasingly obvious that this was not the Homeworld after all. Well, it was a long shot, the information sketchy, and stolen from the Theresians... who were not about to leave that information lying about for the the kalfa to find, particularly if it could mean the restoration of their race. Well, at least they had found humans... hopefully these ones were not above sharing the way back to the Homeworld. Unfortunately for Andras, however, the planet the Taiyou called their homeword was likely not the planet the kalfa were looking for. Fingers crossed and all...

The last question left hanging, Andras bowed his head and chuckled "Well, one just leads into another, don't they? We are..." he looked over his small crew, three members watching the conversation intently, fourth still incapacitated. "Heh, well I don't know if you'll believe this, but our history tells us that we were created by humans. Or at least, that was the revelation contained within the libraries of the crashed human vessel we found on our world nearly a millenia ago. Of course, considering the nature of the experiment that lead to our creation..." the red kalfa shrugged "Top secret, failure, and all... unlikely you would know about it. Of course, that is why we seek out humans. Well, we've already technically found humans. Colonies all over this region of space. Just... none either have the knowledge and means to get to the Homeworld, or are all that willing to share it with us. And as for our home planet... well... it's complicated."

Of course Andras left out the reason why this information was kept from them. The bajra race, convinced of their own perfection and right to rule, conquered and brutally ruled an interstellar empire for nearly three centuries, using advanced human military technologies, before being overthrown by a genophage that destroyed the entirety of their population, leaving only three dozen left alive on a remote station, and even they had their genetics degraded beyond repair. Their clones, augmented mechanically to compensate for their degrading organic systems, became the kalfa, and the kalfa had searched for the Homeworld of the humans for the centuries since, in a hope that somewhere within the databanks and records stored there would be the genetic code used to create the first of the bajra, thus finally repairing their damaged genes and taking them back from the brink of extinction.

That revelation, however, would have likely been a death sentence for the kalfa, and Andras knew when to keep his mouth shut. "We... we come from the mothership Eranathis' Rage, and, I say this meaning no disrespect to you in the slightest, Commandant, but... I'd prefer to keep information regarding her current location as confident as possible, if you understand." he smiled weakly... kalfan motherships were massive, well-armed vessels, but they were no planet. Judging by appearances alone, the Kaze no Tani could deal a fair amount of damage to the mothership should conditions be right. So... better safe than sorry.

"As for why we're here... we were lead to believe this was the Homeworld. Now, we haven't had a chance to run our own scans of the planet yet, so we'll have to take your word on it..." Andras shot a glare at Emrys, who rolled his eyes in response and turned back to his station "But, from what you say, this is most definitely not the planet we are looking for. At least we now know we're heading in the right direction..." Andras grinned yet again, but his mind was focused on what the 'mysterious energy reading' the Taiyou had picked up. An old human relic or artifact, from the era when they created the kalfa? Perhaps a research station recently reactivated, for whatever means? Whatever it was, it could end of being of use to the kalfa... or hold some other form of value. The Homeworld came first, but after that, the kalfa would need to find a planet to make their new homeworld. Perhaps whatever was down there could aid in that quest?

[Anonymous]

Andras was right, the Kaze no Tani, though small, was a very well armed vessel, however there were several other classes of Taiyou ship that were even more armed, from the Yamato Class Battleship, to the Zuikaku class Carrier, the Kaze no Tani was also a fairly old vessel, outdated compared to the current Taiyou ships of the line. Having no energy shields, and only sporting thick armor, as well as massive deck guns, she was a vintage beauty of the Taiyou fleet.

Indeed confusion would register on Ayako's face as she listened and took in this new information, inquisitive and industrious the Taiyou were, she would shake her head. "My security clearance is fairly high, we do not have the capacity nor the desire, to create a race with the characteristics of yours, our society is focused on cybernetics, rather then bio-organics." Ayako concluded, rubbing her chin.

The Kaze no Tani's crew continued to look on, watching the brief conversation, before Ayako began again. "And the location of our world too will remain undivulged, if you wish to traverse that route." She said, irritated that he wouldn't share it's location, half tempted to send out patrols, but she refrained.

Finally Captain Azuma would speak up. "Commandant, ma'am perhaps you would invite them aboard our ship, offer them a meal and perhaps speak with them more, this new species could serve as a potential ally in the war against the Mana users." Ayako then nodded. "Ah yes, the energy we detected at this world... dragons and mana, which could only mean one thing."

"Though there are colonies of humans that litter this galaxy, our particular empire is far from any of these colonies that belong to what we have denoted belongs to the Earthen humans, we are the Taiyou humans." Ayako explained. "I shall invite you aboard my ship, I will provide you with a meal and perhaps further discussion." She said with a polite nod, then she began barking in that language once more to the officers and crew of the ship, the Kaze no Tani pulling itself into geosynchronous orbit over Earth, Ayako dusting her overcoat off and then turning around to face her crew, then she brought her gaze back to the screen. "What say you?" She would inquire. "If you wish to learn of my home world, then you will be willing to board my ship."

[Anonymous]

((Sorry about the wait... real life school and politics for the win))

Andras' smile hardened when the Commandant announced that her homeworld's location would likewise remain hidden. Obviously she had not heard him... his homeworld was a mothership. Diverging it's location would put the lives of thousands of his dying race at risk, compared to her revealing her homeworld, the biggest risk of which would be, oh... an orbital assault, something that any decently sized interstellar nation should be able to stave off relatively easily. Even if she had never heard of the kalfa, the difference between a mothership and homeworld should have obvious enough... Andras clenched his jaw, and considered sending her the coordinates for the bajra homeworld. Of course, her ship wasn't likely to get anywhere near that burnt-out, irradiated husk of a planet before it was assaulted by one of the half-dozen local races who continued to war over the remains of their former overlords, fanatically defending it from any foreign race who might use whatever knowledge stored there to restore the kalfa race to their former status. That thought lasted only a few moments, however... kalfa may be arrogant and vindicative, and the Ardos worst among them, but Andras was no fool. No bridges had yet been burnt, only drawbridges raised.  This would just take more time and effort than he had first hoped.

He listened quietly to the Commendant's continued explanation... dragons and mana? He cocked an eyebrow at Emrys over his shoulder"What're they talking about, E?"

The green kalfa looked up from his station, a rather annoyed scowl on his face "Mumbo jumbo and superstition. Rather primitive beliefs for what appeared to be an advanced civilization. Unfortunate, but expected..."

"Uhh, well... actually... I..." Andras and Emrys both turned to face the rapidly floundering white kalfa, whose views on spirituality were diametrically opposed to the atheistic greens. However, the Edra persona was not one to suffer what they felt to be fools, which included the entirety of the white caste.

"I'm sorry, Vaughn, but did it sound like the Commander wanted to hear your fairy tales?" Emrys growled, causing Vaughn to sink even further into his chair and shake his head, eyes downcast and ears flat against his head "Didn't think-"

"More then enough, Emrys." Andras glared at his science officer

"Oh, come on, Andras." Emrys drawled "He's got nothing to offer here. Logic's what's needed here, logic and caution. Not... primitive stories and 'feelings'

Before Andras could offer a rebuke, however, the Commandant had returned her focus to the kalfa. A parting glare at Emrys was all he could afford, without loosing the conversation, and face. Earthen and Taiyou humans? Convergent evolution, mayhaps? They knew the world of their origin as Terra... they had assumed it was Earth, as that was the homeworld of all the human peoples they had met, but could they have been wrong? The human colonies they had encountered had little record of their histories, if they even remembered outside of stories and legend, so it would not be surprising that over a millenia, the kalfa to could have warped the facts somewhat. Disturbing thought for a race that was part machine, but Andras has to admit it was a possibility. The Commendant did admit to her people being advanced in cybernetics. Well... indeed, there was much to discuss. He nodded to the Commandant "Though I am happy to accept your invitation for the exchange of ideas, I must warn you that it is unlikely you can meet our dietary requirements" he smirked slightly "I'd say if you're planing anything more elaborate than coca-flavoured protein mix, there's no guarantee we can participate in the meal part. Not that I could offer you the reverse, unless you have a craving for resequenced pastes." However, further elaboration was cut off when Emrys coughed loudly "I... must apologize. Seems my science officer wishes to berate me for revealing a state secret, or something..." he wheeled slowly to face the rear terminal "Yes, Emrys?"

"Was that really nececary?" Emrys scowled, eyes glowing dangerously

"I was talking with a fellow commanding officer, if you failed to notice..." Andras motioned between himself and the viewscreen of the Kaze no Tani

"Except you are not the 'commanding officer'." Emrys coolly made air quotes with his hands to emphasize his ire "We are a collective, if you do recall, and thus you are not authorized to accept the commandant's offer without our approval"

"Oh, right! How thoughtless of me!" Andras' voice oozed with sarcasm "Majority rules, if I do recall... I think that's how it's supposed to go."  he shrugged and shook his head, wide grin splitting his muzzle "So confusing, some times I just forget. But, I must vote yea. We are authorized to open up diplomatic relations with races we believe will be of value to the kalfan people, and these Taiyou folks here seem to fall into that category, not being the 'blow-out-of-the-sky-after-almost-being-rammed-into' types and all. That, and they could be our creators... that in itself is worth the risk. Laryn? How say you?"

Laryn, who had been watching this whole debacle with an amused grin, leaned back in her chair, hands behind her head "Well... they seem like decent, civilized people. I'm curious to know more about them-"

"Of course you're curious..." Emrys cut the black kalfa off "You're primary function is infiltration and subterfuge. You wouldn't be fulfilling your role as a spy if you weren't interested. There's an entire computer mainframe over there, just waiting to be hacked into, for the gods' sakes!"

Andras shot a glance at the viewscreen, knowing full well that Emrys's outburst could cost them, but Laryn didn't seem much phased "And if we do this properly, I can get that information without risking life and limb, eh Greenie? Far better to be given then to take, or so the saying goes. And besides, Andras is right... we could be looking at our cousins over there. Can't let this pass us by. Yea"

"Two yeas. Zena is..." He tilted his head slightly, to catch a view of his pilot "Still reintegrating her systems, so... no vote from her. Not that that matters, we only need three. Vaughn?"

The normally emotionless Emrys steamed at being passed over for the priest, who looked over the bridge and it's crew in a combination of shock and fear"I... uhh... well, I..." he stared at the green kalfa nervously "Well... uhh... it is a risk. We... we know nothing about these people. And... and our experiences with humans have... well, they've historically been less then pleasant..."

Emrys pounded his console "Exactly! History proves that they are not the most trustworthy of races... you're all ignoring history here! Dig back into the memories of your previous versions... how many times have you died at the hands of their kin? Think here! Three fleets worth have been slaughtered by the Theresians alone in their attempts at genocide! And the genophage! You could not have forgotten it was humans who slaughtered our race and destroyed our homeworld!"

Andras sighed and rubbed his forehead... "Irrelevant, Emrys. Theresians are technically not humans, no more than you or I. Furthermore, I doubt the Taiyou appreciate being compared to those savages. They bear no responsibility whatsoever for the carnage the beastfolk have inflicted upon us, and deserve none of your hate." Still, Andras was worried that Vaughn would find reason to side with Emrys and force a tie, thus ensuring they would by default have to go with the non-interventionist action, meaning they would not accept the Taiyou's invitation... thus ruining first contact with this race, something that Emrys would welcome with glee. His views were necessary, of course, even understandable. As he had pointed out, the Theresians, who appeared just as human as these Taiyou before them, had been one of the coalition of races that had committed genoice as the bajra, and Andras did loath them as much as the next Ardo... memories that streched back a millenia and personally recalled countless deaths at their hands. Yet... humans had also created them. That was how the Theresians were able to strike at them biologically, as they both shared the same base structure, same origin. So... he could not hate these humans, not for what their kindred had done. Their histories, their cultures, their legacies were different than the lycanthropes, and that had done nothing to cause Andras to think them the same as the humans the bajra had brutally lorded over for centuries.

"We... we really shouldn't accept responsibility for first contact, anyways. We are a scoutship. Not a diplomatic corps... we don't have the appropriate knowledge, training, nor downloaded functions, so..." Vaugh shrugged "We... I... but..." he whimpered and looked at Emrys, before turning to his commander "We don't really have a choice here, do we? I mean... we've already shared with them information about us, right? That, and we almost damaged their ship, I mean we've gotta make up for that. And, well... these humans might be different, for all we know. Not like the others. I mean, so far they haven't threatened to attack us... without good reason, so... so... I have to say... I..." he closed his eyes and looked at the ground "I request the right of abstention."

"You can't do that!" Emrys shouted, rising to his feet, wings spread to their fullest in anger "You can't wimp out! Three votes is not-"

"ENOUGH!" Andras shouted, eyes flaring dangerously with psionic energy, as his aura rippled around him. He continued on, slowly, making certain everyone listening in understood completely "Unit Vasa T18-V3L cannot make a decision without conflicting internal directives, ergo right of abstention is recognized. Unit Zahn T17-PO6 is unable to contribute due to incapacitation, ergo abstention mandated. Circle of three, a majority of two is required for the motion to pass. Units Ardo T17-P8Q and Laun T18-I3L have voted affirmative. Motion is thus deemed accepted by collective, and will henceforth be carried out. Am I understood, Unit Edra T17-PM9"

Emrys' said nothing, simply standing up and leaving the bridge by the back stairwell, gliding down to the lower deck. Andras turned back to the Commandant "Kalfan democracy at it's finest..." he sighed regretfully, as the shimmering aura dissipated from around him "You should see the debates that take place in the motherships..." he shook his head "But, like I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I would be honoured to join you. I'm not certain if anyone else from my crew would be welcome to come with... but, such is life. Just... send us your docking directions, and I'll bring our vessel in."

[Anonymous]

Commandant Katamura was clearly perplexed by the debates that were going on, being compared to other races and then having her concrete evidence called 'superstition' Her neutral expression quickly darkened at Emrys. "I see.." Ayako said before turning around. "Captain Azuma, I want security detail arranged." The whiteclad Captain would nod in affirmation and turn to leave the Bridge.

"Once Security detail has been arranged I will allow you docking permissions, as you are a race we have not encountered before, we have to take measures to protect ourselves, I kindly ask you board with minimal armaments, and try not to spook my men, they shoot first ask questions later." She would explain warningly. "Cocoa protein... I think that can be arranged, the meal I had planned was various Taiyou cuisine, Sashimi, Nori, Squid, all the delicacies this ship can offer"

Finally she would pause a moment, then turn to face the various Lieutenants and other officers. "Prepare Hangar Bay Seven for incoming docking." Ayako ordered, and the men would clack and work, then she turned to face the screen. "Docking Bay Seven." She explained before coordinates were transmitted. "And do not fear, you will not be harmed, your crew is welcome to join you, I hope you enjoy your stay aboard my vessel." She said as she terminated the link, turning around. "I'll be in Seven." She said as she looked to the watch officer, whom nodded. "Ma'am." And would go back to work as Ayako made her way through the corridors of the ship, a neutral expression on her face as she made her way, soldiers armed with Seburo MN-23 assault rifles, and clad in black fatigues would position themselves in the hangar bay, trucks towing away fighter craft would work tirelessly to clear the bay for the ship, two massive blast doors opening up to allow the ship through, a special energy field keeping the hangar pressurized had been activated as they waited for the ship to enter, Captain Azuma would then step aside his Commandant, several marines and ITN personell had lined up in drill formation as they waited, it was now only a matter of time, Azuma speaking up. "Another step for the Taiyou Empire..." He said with a nod.

[Anonymous]

Andras nodded slowly at the screen... "Docking bay seven..." He looked over at Laryn, who returned his unasked question with a nod as she looked over the incoming transmission. "Right, everything seems to be in order then." the red kalfa grinned wearily "Gods ignorance, then Commandant" he nodded once again, and glanced down at his navigator, who quickly switched off the viewscreen. The moment the Taiyou human's face flicked from the screen, Andras' false smile twisted  into an enraged snarl "THAT SON OF A-" he shouted as he wheeled about, before turning to Laryn "What did he hope to accomplish there? What?"

Laryn shrugged and leaned back in her chair "I dunno... makin' us look bad in front of the only friendly humans in a thousand lightyears? I think his entire persona still hasn't gotten over the whole 'defeated by former slave races' thing"

Andras grunted as he hopped up to his station "Xenophobic idiot. I don't understand why we don't just box his entire damn line. Be a whole lot more peaceful then, wouldn't it?"

"Well, actually..." Vaughn's quiet voice broke Andras' stready rant "I think that he did raise some valid-"

"And you!" Andras spun to face the white kalfa, arms bent and hands twisted in frustration. These he shook back and forth between himself and Vaughn, attempting to indicate some form of contained rage despite his loss of words. Finally, he just growled and stomped back to his station, leaving Vaughn cowering silently in his seat.

Laryn smirked at Vaughn's discomfort, before turning to her commander "Shall I lock in the co-ordinates, boss?"

Andras grunted nonchalantly, and a second later the virtual console in front of him lit up, indicating the correct docking port and desired landing procedure. Andras glowered down at Zena, still unconscious, mentally cursing his pilot before bringing up the piloting functions and placing his hands on the holographic controls. "Right then..." he grumbled, and spun To Seek, To Find out of it's previously aimless twirl through space. Ion jets flared blue as the sleek ship corrected itself, levelling out it's flight as it sped towards the Kaze no Tani. It took less than a minute for Andras to make out the the cavernous opening of what one would assume to be Hangar Bay Seven. A quick glance over at Laryn, who nodded in agreement, confirmed it. Well, Andras thought wryly, here goes nothing... he quickly flipped To Seek, To Find over, so it's gravitational plane matched up with the Kaze no Tani, and he began firing the reverse thrusters, slowing the vessel down as it slid it's way through the energy shield "Impressive..." he mumbled to no one in particular as he surveyed the bay. They'd moved a fair number of their own ships out of the way, leaving a fairly large area for the relatively small scoutship to land in. Security measures, the red kalfa thought to himself wryly... they'd want to have a clean shot if they'd need to take it. Well, best show them it would not be needed. His left hand reached out, fingers initiating automated landing, as the New Horizons-class scoutship slowly lowered itself to the hangar bay's deck, the whir of the antigrav engines drowned out slightly by the metallic grinding of the landing struts emerging from the bottom of the vessel's two large, arched wings.

Andras stood back from the console and turned to Laryn "Well..." he smiled "Won't this be interesting?" He stretched slightly and brought up a series of virtual guides "Laryn, would you mind downloading Zena's core function here? I'd have for our mechanical stability to get all out of whack 'cause Z decided today would be a good day to mess around with her programing" Laryn sighed, but the sound of the pneumatic jacks entering her dataports meant that, however reluctant she was, she understood the need for a full triad. However, a similar sound from his left caused Andras to look up from reviewing the protocols before him. He looked over at Vaughn, who had also jacked himself into the ship's uplink. Rolling his eyes, he cancelled Vaughn's access before the white kalfa became integrated.

The white kalfa blinked in surprise as the jacks disengaged themselves "Wha... what?"

"Sorry there, V" Andras smiled coolly "But I didn't say you were coming with us, did I?"

"But... I..." Vaughn's ears and wings drooped "I just thought you'd want a triad instead of-"

"Oh, but I will have a triad, even if it means dragging Emrys out there, kicking and screaming like the overgrown baby he is. I didn't say I needed you." the red kalfa's voice oozed with agitation "See, both you and Emrys slighted our guests out there, while making our whole race look like arrogant xenophobes at the same time. So... I think it's only fair that I make certain both of you have time to think about your actions just now. You, whose so eager to learn and make friends, will spend the next however-many-hours fixing up Zena there, and making it clear to her, despite whatever protests she may bring up in the process, that deleating core functions is not acceptable here, on this ship"

"Upload completed, sir" Laryn's voice sounded up mechanically from the far side of the room

"Excellent..." Andras turned around with a smile "Why don't you haul out Emrys from his lab or wherever he's gone off to sulk and have him meet us at the main hatch. Drag him by the wings if necessary" Laryn nodded coolly, and headed to the back of the cockpit, and the ladder down to To Seek, To Find's main hull. Andras made his way to follow her, stopping at his station momentarily and laying his hand the virtual console and downloading the protocols into his ocular implant for later review. Then, he hopped over to the back of the bridge and spun to face Vaughn once again "Have fun, V... and I want to have Z back on her feet and complaining about how she missed everything again by the time I get, back. Understood?"

Vaughn, looking absolutely crushed and dejected in his seat, could only nod weakly in reply.

"Fantastic. Well then... see ya!"  Another false grin, and Andras dropped down the shaft, wings spread wide so instead of crashing to the catwalk beneath, he instead glided smoothly to the metal mesh. Then, a quick jaunt down the short hall, and he emerged in the decent sized cargo bay that made up the bulk of the ship. Though New Horizons-class vessels were designed primarily for scouting, the kalfa were largely a race of traders and merchants, and all their ships had a cargo hold of some size to aide in that roll. Andras slid down the steps to the largely empty hold's floor, and jaunted over to where Emrys and Laryn were glaring coldly at each other. Andras grinned a toothy smile at the green kalfa "So glad you could make it, E!" he announced, before turning to Laryn "He wasn't much trouble, was he?"

But before the black kalfa could reply, Emrys responded, quite indignantly "She bit me!"

Andras blinked several times, somewhat taken aback "Really now?" Laryn merely shrugged, which caused Andras to break out into laugher "Oh, poor, poor Laryn. Gonna take forever to get rid of that taste..."

"She bit me!" Emrys repeated again, apparently not yet convinced his message had gotten through

"Wings, ears? Oh, it doesn't matter." Andras chucked and made his way over to the switch which controlled the cargo bay's hatch, checking over the readouts. Atmosphere, compatible. Gravity, almost equal. Pressure... excellent. The conditions out there, slightly warmer, but very much like a kalfan ship. Maybe they had found their creators after all. They'd just have to see. Andras pushed up on the leaver, causing the front to hiss and groan as the pneumatic pistons and organic muscles heaved the door open. "Right, folks. Let's show these humans kalfan class and dignity." he strained out his jacket, and not for the first time his persona wondered if a more formal uniform for events such as this would be useful. But, that was cut short as the nose of the ship opened up, splitting almost cleanly down the centre of the nose.

"She bit me..." Andras grumbled one last time

"And apparently you liked it or you wouldn't still be griping about it..." Andras muttered back, electing a surprised chuckle from Laryn

"That... that's impossible. We... those reactions aren't programed into us... we can't. It's impossible for me to- aargh..." Emrys gave up and simply growled at his companions, as they stepped forward onto the extending ramp as it moved out into the the bright lights of the landing bay, Andras at the head, with Laryn and Emrys behind and to the left and right respectively. Andras saw Laryn's eyes flicker over to the soldiers, armed with rather nasty looking weapons

::unit armed <Y/N>:: the digital message shot from Andras to Laryn via their digital connections, no indication other than his wary glare that any communication was taking place

::<N> :: came back his silent reply ::unit is without standard armaments::

Laryn nodded coolly, before sparing a glance at Emrys, who idly carried his staff with him even now, psionic energies radiating up and down it's shaft. Andras silently berated himself for not arming himself... his hand brushed by his empty holster. Good going, genious. Real smart there. As a skilled psionicist, Emrys was more than armed, currently, but that might not be enough if things got excited.

[Anonymous]

The crew of the hangar bay was silent as the ship passed through the containment field that kept the hangar bay pressurized. Ayako turning to Captain Azuma. "So these things will probably be different in person.. I'm glad the security detail has been arranged." She said with a nod as she looked to the soldier, and even a pair of Tachikomas were seen standing guard in a corner of the hangar bay.

"There they are I see them now." Ayako said as she watched them disembark from the ship, Captain Azuma following her through the soldiers and the formation towards the ship. The low hum of the Kaze no Tani's engines heard as the massive ship sailed through space.

"I'd like to welcome you aboard my ship, the Kaze no Tani." Ayako said as she extended her hand to whom appeared to be the leader. "I am Commandant Ayako Katamura, in the flesh, if you'll come with me I will take you to the conference room where you can make yourselves comfortable as the food and meeting detail has been arranged." She said as she motioned for them to follow hr though the halls of the ship. "The Kaze no Tani is the pride and joy of the Taiyou fleet, a shame though she's an older vessel, long overdue for a retrofit and an overhaul, so tell me a little more about your people." She said calmly, one of the large blue six legged tanks following through the hall as Ayako turned. "Tachikoma... we're fine." The high pitched childish voice then replied. "Aye Aye Commandant!" And the tank rolled away.

"AI, they are quite amusing." Ayako said as she continued through the ship.

[Anonymous]

The three kalfa approached the Commandant and her party, trying to appear as confident and relaxed as possible despite the weapons trained on them. Necessary precautions, Andras mused... though, far and above what would be necessary to take down a kalfa. The red kalfa lead the other two to a stop before the Taiyou Commandant, who proceeded to welcome them to her vessel. Andras nodded at Ayako's formalities, though blinking slightly at the offered hand. That was a form of greeting he handn't seen before... he was expecting bowing, maybe saluting... but this? Hmm... well, the offer was withdrawn quickly as the Commandant motioned for them to follow her, explaining the preparations that had been made. Andras bowed his head yet again and followed after the Commandant. He looked over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of his companions... Emrys was glowering strait ahead, while Laryn's eyes kept darting about, taking in everything around her, on the off chance things got a little chaotic.

Confident that Laryn's preparations wouldn't be needed at all, Andras returned his attention to the Commandant. "You wish to know more about my people? Indeed... not many people ask that..." However, further elaboration was cut off as the commandant called off the strange arachnid walker that was following them. AIs? Andras looked sharply at Emrys, whose eyes had suddenly taken on a surprised light.  AIs.. well this was going to be complicated. The kalfa themselves could be considered AIs, their thoughts and personalities existing in the artificial mediums of the neural processors. What would she do if she found out that the kalfa were the perfect example of rogue AIs, ones who thought for themselves, who questioned their own existence, who strived to grow beyond their initial programing? Best play it safe then... "Ahh...yes. AIs... indeed. Amusing." he chuckled nervously "But... but you wanted to know about the kalfan people, correct? Well... what would you like to know? We're a nomadic race, not by choice, mind you, who make a living off trading, exploration, and mercenary services" the red kalfa left out the smuggling and piracy aspects that defined kalfa to many of the other races and cultures they had met... for some reason, he didn't think that the Taiyou would take kindly to that "Our culture is divided up into several fleets centred around a mothership, which I do believe would equate best with a clan or extended family... I don't know your people's culture" Andras shrugged "but I believe the idea is readily transferable. My crew and I come from the mothership Eranathis' Rage, which heads one of the larger fleets. Uhh... hmm... what else?" he looked at his companions, then back at the commander "Anything specific you'd like to ask, Madam Commandant?"

[Anonymous]

"Interesting.. and your people survive without a home world? I don't know how my people could pull it off honestly." She said with a frown, sitting in a seat at the end of the table, sh would lean back, folding her arms across the gentle swell of her bustline. "Even on this excursion, many of my crew long for Niihama... so you live in a mother ship.. I am sure it is no Shokaku, probably more the equivalent of a Colony ship." She added. "So you came to this world to seek those whom created you, I don't think it's us, our ancestors were taken from.. surprisingly this world.. millions of years ago by an ancient and powerful race." She added, pausing a moment. "It's a wonder.. the chances of a race seeded hundreds of thousands of light years away.. would get the chance to see the world from whence they came, I am saddened though to see the condition it is in.. I have gathered some footage.. if you care to view.." She would say as a hand stroked across a keypad, a holographic screen appearing, showing footage from the surface. "I don't think I'd want to come back here to live, It's a shame to see the condition this world is in." Ayako added.

It wouldn't be several minutes, when a white clad Taiyou officer would enter, offering up a salute before speaking up. "We have a communique from Niihama." He would say before passing off a manila envelope with strange symbols on it over to Ayako, whom would open it and read through it. "I see.. I realize the Science Director and the Empress are anxious for my report, but please reply that I need more time." The Officer would offer up a salute, and walk out of the room, Ayako turning to face her Kalfa guests. "Politics.. how tiresome.. our Empress.. wants results or she will be calling us back... perhaps we could arrange another meeting.. with someone more qualified, I am a simple Military officer, I shall raise Niihama, and they shall send an ambassador, but I think... relations between our two people look bright. Do you have any questions that I could answer for you?"