| [IC] The Joint Inspection |
The Emperor nodded, prompting his guards to return to a resting stance, though their shields remained active. "We are in accord, then. I will provide the information you seek if it means putting an end to this madness and restoring harmony."
He motioned for one of his retainers to step forward, their fingers tapping away at their datapad before carefully offering it to Berrocal. On one page of the file, the basic overview of Sosa physiology was laid bare. Despite the initial visual similarities the Stoinians saw, a number of stark differences became clear: unlike the Mardakii, it seemed that the Sosa lacked claws and possessed a pair of redundant lungs and a denser musculoskeletal structure, including a much bonier brow. Even their teeth seemed more suited to an omnivorous diet, in spite of their tusk-like lower canines. On a somewhat more amusing note, it appeared that the Sosa males had an almost fastidious level of care for braiding and decorating their thick beards. The Carsicoid, on the other hand, were so utterly bizarre biologically that nothing aside from superficial features on their carapaces was even remotely similar to the Qoxex, from their cooperative hive psychology (to the point of speculation of a rudimentary telepathic bond from the report's author), trinary vascular system, and strangely enough an ability to survive in vacuum conditions.
Vujić remained somewhat sceptical. His guard was up and it wouldn't soon fade away. Berrocal looked over the data with him and he came to same conclusion the Drakari had. These species weren't the same at all. He let out a sigh of relief. Afterwards he recalled the Pelican and it docked back with the main ship.
"Your Majesty, please forgive us. It is a rare instance, but our instincts got the better of us. I hope you can forgive our behaviour." Vujić didn't quite like Berrocal's response, but he was the diplomat after all. This was his jurisdiction. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
The Emperor nodded, his visibly relaxed stance prompting his guards to deactivate their shields and return to their earlier stance. His bodyguard pressed the side of his helmet, no doubt letting his CO know that the situation was under control.
"There is nothing to forgive, friend. Misunderstandings happen from time to time," the Emperor said with a cautious smile, "Had we gone through a similar situation, I would not fault you for your caution or reaction. Hopefully, however, your fears and concerns have been thoroughly addressed."
Vujić still looking grudgingly at the Emperor.
How come he calls us friends after just might have tried to murder them. Berrocal responded in an assuring manner. "Thank you for understanding your Majesty. It is refreshing to see other species understand our perspective... to some extent at least. And indeed you can rest assured this will not happen again. Now shall we continue?" Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
"Indeed we shall, gentlemen. Preferably with fewer misunderstandings, should the gods be gracious today," Julianus chuckled softly, taking a moment to smooth out his robes as he motioned for his guests, Human and Treecuu alike, to follow him once again towards the palace itself. The door slowly slid open, bathing the silver, steel, marble, and bas-relief of the entry hall in the star Ladon's warm afternoon light. Before long, they would enter a cavernous chamber, flanked on either side by three upper galleries where a number of guests, no doubt courtiers, Senators, emissaries, and the occasional tourist of several races watched with great interest as their liege strode in with his guests.
While the anti-grav throne at the far end of the chamber would have no doubt caught the eye, the Emperor's pace seemed to slow marginally as he looked upon the vibrant, lovingly stitched ,and well-cared-for tapestries that adorned the galleries with a warm smile, even as he cast a self-conscious glance to the statues of his predecessors, scholars and warriors in their own right, that stood before each pillar between them; it seemed as if Julianus was hoping to prove himself worthy of bearing their mantle of leadership. Each of the tapestries seemed to depict an era in his species' history and legends, ranging from the rise of disparate Iron Age tribes to periods of exploration and discovery. Many, interestingly enough, seemed to depict the unification of those disparate tribes and petty fiefdoms into a great kingdom by a towering figure, his face partly obscured by a golden halo as if in reverence and awe.
As the Stoinians entered, they again were taken by surprise by the similar architecture they had seen in the spaceport. The palace had its uniqueness and character, but it still felt alien to them. Berrocal had found a link between them, something of about a unification he thought. He asked the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I take it these statues are of your rulers and perhaps your ancestors?" The Vice Admiral didn't share the Legate's enthousiasm, but he was indeed curious on what the Emperor was about to say. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
"Your deduction is correct, Legate Berrocal. These are my forebears, the Line Unbroken, champions, eccentrics, and peacemakers all." Julianus smiled faintly as he looked away from the statues standing watch along the galleries to the Stoinian delegation.
"I hope to one day prove myself worthy bearing the title of Emperor, either in this life or when I go to join them in the next." The crimson behemoth's self-conscious ramblings were soon cut short by the clicking of a new set of talons along the floor, turning his gaze once to an approaching grey-scaled Drakari clad in an ornate red and gold robe. Oddly enough, this fellow seemed... almost visibly aged if the duller glow in his amber-colored eyes and lack of a vibrant sheen to his scales and horns was any indication.
Teemas enjoyed being back in the great hall. It was a nice change of pace not being the main character this time, and she could let herself relax and enjoy herself.
"Well, Emperor, your name is forever at least written in Treecuu history, being the first xeno leader greeting us as equals for centuries." she smiled.
"You have my thanks, Teemas. I hope that I can prove worthy of your respect further in the future." The Sovereign Lord of the Drakari smiled warmly in turn, showing only the subtlest hint of needle-sharp teeth when his gaze drifted to the other Drakari.
"Ah, Cassian! I was hoping to cross paths with you during the tour. Gentlemen, Emissary, allow me the pleasure to introduce to you Cassian Domitian, Chamberlain of my House and my family's most trusted confidante." "An honor, Sire," the grey creature spoke with the slightest of rasps in his once-smooth tenor of a voice as he bowed, the Hall's light glinting off the golden rim of his singular eyeglass. He stood to his full height, barely cresting above the Emperor's shoulder, but just mere centimeters taller than the bodyguards flanking the group. It seems age didn't slow him much... "Emissary Teemas, I apologize for not having had the opportunity to greet you during your first visit to the homeworld. His Imperial Majesty had insisted I take a holiday a few standard days before your arrival because apparently I am a 'workaholic'." He smirked as he briefly looked at Julianus, who chuckled mirthfully in turn. "Because you are one, old friend. You tried to smuggle a datapad full of paperwork to the retreat you chose." "Bureaucracy waits for nobody, Sire. Least of all folk like you and me." The Chamberlain snorted softly before he faced the Stoinian delegation. "Ah, so you are the new Humans who have arrived. You caused quite a stir upon the Avenue of Heroes not too long ago. I take it the misunderstanding has been resolved amicably?" The look on his face seemed to indicate he had more than an inkling of what had happened, but was more than willing to hear them out in spite of their earlier threat to his liege.
"We prefer to be called Terrans, Chamberlain."
Vujić made it clear that the Stoinians felt a distinction between them and the Drakari Terrans. He maintained his militaristic posture while exchanging looks with Cassian. A message needed to be sent that they had no regrets for what they did. They acted in their own accord and acted on it. Berrocal then switched to smoothen the situation. "Indeed the misunderstanding has been debunked and there is no need to worry any longer. I am sure you can understand our situation when your people would have been eaten by species which looked remarkably similar to the beast that plagued our ancestors. We can give you the files to understand our perspective if you wish." Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
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